Alexander “Alex” Wirzba

1931 ~ 2018

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Alex Wirzba passed away on Sunday, March 18 at the age of 86. Alexander Wirzba was born on April 13, 1931 to August and Olga Wirzba in what is present day Poland. His large family would eventually relocate to Eastern Germany, and then to Western Germany as refugees during the end of World War II. Alex and his family immigrated to Canada in 1951, settling in the Lethbridge area. Alex was very grateful for the opportunity to start a new life in Canada.

After arriving in Lethbridge, the family – and many other new German immigrants – became members of Bethany Baptist Church. This church would become a very important part of Alex’s life. Here, in April 1954, he met Ingrid Roepke, his friend and sweetheart. They were married on July 23, 1954 and would eventually have 4 children. Alex was a devout Christian and a man who made sacrifices for his family.

Alex had the remarkable, intuitive gift of building and repairing things. He was a pressure welder by trade, but was skilled in numerous other areas as well: as a mechanic, metal fabricator, carpenter, farmer and all-round handyman. Following a 2-year contract as a sugar beet worker, Alex worked for a farm implement dealership in Hilda and then a large industrial plant – Horton Steel Works Ltd. in Lethbridge. Thereafter he formed a construction company with two of his brothers (Emil and Eric); Wirzba Brothers Construction Co. built quality homes for almost 30 years. Alex also purchased a mixed-irrigation farm and built up a small feedlot operation near Park Lake. Alex was a very industrious, resourceful and ambitious individual. He helped out many family members, friends, colleagues and neighbors – only giving up after his body started wearing out and Parkinson's disease had set in.

Remaining to mourn his passing are: his wife Ingrid; son David (Kellie); son Samuel (Deanne); daughter Esther (Hubert Baart); and son Norman (Gretchen); 11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; his brother Eric (Ingrid Wirzba); his sister’s-in-law: Margaret (Emil Wirzba), Bridgette Bevernick (Gerhard Wirzba), Irene (Gunther Wirzba) and Erna (Dieter) Roepke; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Alex was predeceased by his parents August and Olga; his brothers Gerhard, Gunther, and Emil; his half-sisters Wilhelmina and Olga; and half-brother Gustov.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30pm on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at PARK MEADOWS BAPTIST CHURCH, 2011 15 Ave N, Lethbridge, AB., with Pastor Lorne Willms, officiating.