It is with sadness and a great deal of love that we announce the passing of Dr. Wilford Tetz.
Dr. Wilford Cyril Tetz passed away August 19, 2021 in Lacombe, Alberta one month before his 98th birthday. Wilf was born to Albert and Blanche (Palmer) Tetz on September 28, 1923, in Bowness, Alberta. He was the oldest of five children and spent his growing up years in Alberta, Michigan, British Columbia, and Alabama. Wilf married Anne Krause in December 1946 and the young couple moved to Loma Linda, California where Wilf entered Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Much of his medical school training took place at LA County hospital giving him a great deal of experience with things like knife and gunshot wounds and over 200 baby deliveries. After graduation from medical school, Wilf and Anne moved to Edmonton, where Wilf was privileged to intern at the University of Alberta Hospital with some of the giants in Alberta medicine, like Walter C. McKenzie. He maintained a close relationship with these doctors over the course of his medical practice. Wilf was a life-long learner and was proud to receive his Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University in 1978.
During the 45 years of medical practice in the Lacombe and Alex area Dr. Tetz served as Chief of Staff at the Lacombe Hospital and provided care for several generations of many families through house calls and office visits.
Dr. Tetz was a member of many Committees and Boards in the Lacombe and College Heights area. He was a long-time member of the College Heights Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He enjoyed flying his small plane and was a member of the Lacombe Flying Club for many years. Other hobbies included working on his “farm”, road trips throughout the United States and Canada, reading and spending time with family. He will be remembered for his love of people, his dry humor and the gift of saying the right thing with impeccable timing during committee meetings.
Dr. Tetz is survived by Anne, his wife of 75 years; daughters Beverly How (Fred) of Redlands, CA, and Carol Rick (Glen) of Aldergrove, BC; sons Jim (Shirley) of Lacombe, AB, Gerry (Karen) of Portland, OR, and Jack (Cindy) of Stony Plain, AB. He was predeceased by his son Doug (Deborah) of Red Deer. Of his 13 grandchildren, four have followed him into medical professions. He also has 15 great-grandchildren. In his final days he was lovingly cared for by the staff at the Lacombe Hospital where he had spent so many years of his life caring for others. He leaves a large hole in many lives and his entire community. He will be missed.
A Memorial Service will be held at the College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2022 with a reception following at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. The Memorial Service will be livestream broadcast at service time. The video button is located below.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made in Dr. Wilf Tetz’s name to A Better World at www.abwcanada.ca or Ellis Bird Farm Ltd. education program at www.canadahelps.org.
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