Josef Wieger

Josef Wieger was born in Frauenkirchen, Austria, on September 28, 1930. A small town similar to Ponoka - a farming and gas, prairie area.

In his childhood days, he would be playing with his brother and friends in the ponds and sloughs, building rafts out of logs, and dreaming of adventures on the water and the open sea. He dreamt of having a machine that would take him over all types of terrain but settled for an Argo in his later years for hunting and fishing.

Joe was a wanderer, moving from Austria, as a bricklayer, to Switzerland in 1949. There he met his wife Louise, and in 1956 they immigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal. At first, he worked at changing Euclid Tires on scrapers, on the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway. He found a job on many large projects.

In1977 at the age of 47, he decided to (as they say), “move west young man.” They settled in Red Deer and then moved to Ponoka area in 1980. Not long after, he started as a masonry contractor – J.W. Masonry. He enjoyed his word and his hunting, as well as fishing throughout his life. Joe and Louise loved going south for the winter. For 14 years straight, they pulled their 5th wheel. Joe started swimming in the Ponoka Pool and playing cards at the Drop-in Centre, until his 95th birthday.

He loved things that moved: motorcycles with a sidecar, snowmobiles, trucks, boats, and of course his mobility scooter – riding down the middle of the roads in Ponoka. Rest in peace, Joe.

Josef passed away at the age of 95 years. He will be lovingly missed by his son Roland and daughter-in-law Carol, of Ponoka/Rimbey; his daughter-in-law Stella Datz of Mascouche, Quebec; grandchildren Michelle, Richard, Robert, Kathy, Rene Tamara, and Peter; also 11 great-grandchildren; his niece Trudy (Gerharat); as well as other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his brother Michael; stepsons Roger, Ralph, and Romain; and sister Maril.

Josef's family is following his wishes to not have a funeral. In remembrance of Josef, family and friends are welcome to join Roland and Carol for pizza and refreshments, which will be served from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5519B - 53 Ave, Ponoka. 

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