Obituary - Anna Gutfriend
Anna Gutfriend
1934 - 2021
"Lena"
It is with great sadness that we the family, announce the passing of our mother Anna Magdalena Gutfriend (nee Herle) on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at the age of 86 years. Lena was born in Prelate, SK., on November 18, 1934, the youngest child to Frank and Alice (nee Aberle) Herle. She grew up with her sister, Rosella (John) Mastel and brother, Wendelin (Joyce) Herle on the family farm near Blumenfeld, SK. Mom moved to Medicine Hat where she started working at Safeway for the next 35 years. She enjoyed the customers she met on Crescent Heights and the colleagues that became life long friends.
Lena married her husband, Tom Gutfriend in April 1958, in the Blumenfeld Catholic Church. They built a life for themselves in Medicine Hat and together they travelled throughout Canada, USA, and Europe. She was a dedicated Catholic and devoted many years on the CWL and bereavement group until her health started to deteriorate. Tom and Lena were avid sports fans and held season tickets to the Tigers for many years. Lena loved dancing, the theatre, and playing cards with friends. Her house was always filled with canning, cabbage rolls, the smell of freshly baked buns, and her famous apple strudel.
Lena was so proud of being a mother to her three children, Blake (Carlene), Brent (Susan) and Alison (Mark) Ellis. She also loved her nieces and nephews she shared time with. Her greatest love and best role was being a grandmother to ten and great-grandmother to four. Blake & Carlene’s children: Veston (Amanda), Logan (Terryn) Kinley and Brooklyn, Ethan (Nicole) and Walker Gutfriend. Brent & Susan’s children: Amber Shantz (Mark) Marshall, Elle, and Wyatt Gutfriend. Alison and Mark’s children: Morgan Warren (Riley), Katelyn Branden (Grady), Ty (Gage), and Clay Ellis. She will always be remembered as the loudest cheerleader in the crowd. Her generosity and love for each of them was abundant. Our hearts will miss her hearty laugh, quick wit, being a straight shooter and most of all her nurturing love for all of us.
Lena is also survived by her sister, Rosella Mastel; sisters-in-law, Irene (Tim) Hammel and Lena Sears. She was predeceased by her loving and faithful husband, Tom Gutfriend; brother, Wendelin (Joyce) Herle; brothers-in-law, John Mastel, Gerry Sears, Albin Gutfriend, and Val (Jackie) Gutfriend; sisters- in-law, Jenny Schnell, Jake Schnell, and Anne Marie (Ted Maskell); nephews Darryl Schnell, Wayne Schnell and Bill Prosser.
A Funeral Mass honouring Anna’s life will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 238 – 2 Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. with Father Roque Pereira celebrant. A spoken tribute will take place prior to Mass beginning at 8:45 a.m. A time of fellowship will be held thereafter in the church hall. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Lena’s name may be made directly to AJ’s Loan Cupboard, Bay 4-602A, Clay Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 3K2.
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Dave Mastel:
Aug 24, 2021 at 09:36 PM
Blake, Brent, Alison and families. Lorrie and I send our deepest sympathies for the loss of your Mom. Aunt Lena was a special person. She was always engaging, curious and giving. She’ll be forever missed, but never forgotten. Although we can’t be with you in person, our thoughts and prayers certainly are. Take Care. Lorrie & Dave.
Anita Herle:
Aug 25, 2021 at 05:15 PM
Dear Brent, Blake, Alison and families,
Sending love and condolences from Cambridge, UK. Aunt Lena was a remarkable woman. Hard working and vivacious - she always had something to say and she spoke with humour and candour. She will be much missed and never forgotten. I am sorry that we are unable to be with you and the extended family during this difficult time, but our thoughts will be with you. xo Anita, Simon and Eva.
John Hopkins & Penny Hopkins:
Aug 25, 2021 at 05:34 PM
Blake and Carlene and family, so sorry to hear of your mom's passing.
Gail and Vaughn Thome:
Aug 26, 2021 at 10:50 AM
To Blake, Brent, Alison and families. We are so sorry for the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. We remember her as a friendly, caring and upbeat person. Always enjoyed our visits with your mom and dad.
Michael Herle:
Aug 27, 2021 at 02:31 PM
Aunt Lena was an extremely special person who will be especially missed. She had a quick wit, great sense of humour, and intelligence. Never at a loss for words, she spoke her mind with verve and nerve, She was a great conversationalist.
We celebrate her life as we mourn her death . She lives on in indelible memories and in the Great Beyond.
As a child, I remember her welcoming smile, infectious laugh, and great hospitality.
Everyone who knew her is a better person for having known her. And everyone who knew her could not help but love her, since she was so full of love herself,
Judy Gukert:
Aug 28, 2021 at 11:14 AM
Thinking of you all this morning, wishing I was there in person to say goodbye to this wonderful lady. I will miss her laugh, her smile, her caring spirit, and so much more! Rest In Peace Aunt Lena …..🙏❤️😘
Carolyn Herle:
Aug 28, 2021 at 12:28 PM
My deepest sympathies on the passing of your Mom. My cousin Lena was a very important person as I grew up in Med Hat. My dad Peter Herle loved to joke with his niece Lena and I think he went to Safeway every day that she worked so they could have fun together. They shared the same wicked sense of humour and ready laughter. Tom and Lena helped my Mom so much after my Dad died in 1979. Lena was such a good person-sharp witted, an incredible smile and always the laughter. Many prayers and thoughts to bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Pam Semos:
Aug 28, 2021 at 07:50 PM
Dear Brent and Family,
My mother and I send our condolences for your loss of a very dear Mother.
I am privileged to have known Lena so many years ago. I have fond memories of our time together.
Cindy and Pam (Bermuda)
Kathy Kearney:
Sep 10, 2021 at 07:46 AM
So very sad of Lena’s passing…We were neighbors and she was a wonderful friend.Before Covid I would bring Lena to the mall and do a little shopping, then we would meet up with the ladies for coffee and hear all the fabulous stories of their past.I’ve missed our outing since the pandemic started.We stayed in touch with phone calls and she was always so thoughtful and kind.Lena I love you and miss.