It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Alton Rix on July 1st, 2021, at the age of 79 years.
Alton was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, on January 13th, 1942, and was the only son of Vernon and Mary Rix. He grew up on the farm south of Wetaskiwin until the family moved to town in the mid-1950s. He spoke often and fondly about his childhood, sharing memories of friends, playing sports, and playing the trumpet and drums both at school and in community bands during his youth. His love of music continued for many years as a drummer in dance, rock-and-roll, and Bavarian bands, where he enjoyed sharing his talents with young and old alike.
He met the love of his life, Leona Schatschneider, and they were married on June 23rd, 1967, in Wetaskiwin. Alton was a hard-working, caring man that would give you the shirt off of his back. He enjoyed having company over for a visit and a hand of cards. He was a great conversationalist and loved to have a good laugh. If you did not know where Alton was, all you had to do was listen for his whistle. He was always happy and content and didn't ask for much of anything. Alton was the handiest of handymen with the extraordinary ability to fix just about anything. He cherished his wood-working shop and all of his tools and loved to create furniture and other items for his own house and his kids' homes as well.
Alton will be remembered with great love by his wife Leona; daughter Kerrie (Jonathan); son Trent (Debbie); grandchildren Sydney, Kyle, and Justin Rix, and Cole and Janae Saunders; and his sister Linda (Bill) Heise. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Alfred Schatschneider; sister-in-law Arletta Schatschneider; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Alton was predeceased by his parents Vernon and Mary Rix; sister Jean (Don) Collins; mother and father-in-law Rudolf (Martha) Schatschneider; son-in-law John Hayes; siblings-in-law Paul (Hilda) Schatschneider, Ed (Freda) Schatschneider, Edith (Bill) Ochs, Hedy (Lawrence) Zielke, Herb Schatschneider, Elsie Waters, Frieda (Otto) Jess, Gertrude Schatschneider, and Albert Schatschneider; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Although the last few years of his life were challenging, he often still had a smile on his face, which let us know that he knew his family was with him.
You will be missed beyond words. May you rest in peace, Alton, safe in the arms of Jesus!
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 8th, 2021, at Mighty Fortress Evangelical Lutheran Church, 51 Alford Ave, Red Deer, Alberta, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor David Boettcher officiating. Visitation will be available at the church before the Funeral Service, beginning at noon. The Interment Service will follow at Alto Reste Cemetery in Red Deer. There will be no luncheon following the interment. Given that restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have only recently been relaxed, and for the health and safety of individuals attending with immunity concerns, we ask that those attending please social distance when possible. Face coverings will be optional. For those not comfortable attending in person, the service will be available by live stream at this link: https://youtu.be/SciWbkLRdcg or click on the Video button below.
Donations in Alton's memory can be made to Mighty Fortress Evangelical Lutheran Church (51 Alford Ave, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 1G9) or any charity of choice.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Alton Vernon Rix, please visit our floral store.