Severin John Gartner

It is with great sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of Severin John Gartner on April 30, 2023 in Ponoka at the age of 71 years. Severin will be lovingly remembered by his wife Marlene; his children Nicholas (Sarah) Gartner, Becky Gartner (Daniel Pouliot), Jordan Gartner, Ken Hrycyk (Teesa), and Garry (Shelan) Hrycyk; grandchildren Max and Beau Gartner, Sunny and Oliver Gartner Pouliot, Alex Hrycyk and Kennedy Hrycyk (Jordan Morin), and Grady and Ameila Hrycyk; great-granddaughter Autumn Morin; his siblings Serapia (William) Ochs, Sheila (Barry) Busch, Cyril (Gwenn) Gartner, Mary-Jane (Tom) Metzger, Bertillie Gartner, Patrick (Monda) Gartner, Benita Colwell, and Joy (Pierre) Gagnon; along with numerous nieces and nephews and extended families.

Severin was born on October 12, 1951 in Macklin, Saskatchewan. He was one of 14 children born to Theodora and George Gartner. In his late teens, he took an interest in the construction trade earning a Journeyman certificate in Carpentry and that lead him to Edmonton where he raised his three beautiful children. A fond memory his children can recall was the comfort knowing dad would always answer his phone and help in a moments notice followed by a humorous dad joke. He loved spending time with his children and especially with his pride and joy, his grandchildren. 25 years ago a Stuart Olson construction project brought Severin to Ponoka. It was this job plus the golf course where he met the love of his life, Marlene. They married on June 5, 2004. In their retirement years, together they enjoyed the passion of travel, travelling to BC, Saskatchewan, St Martens, Cabo San Lucas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Maui, Montana, most of the western states, and the past few years as snowbirds in Arizona.

Severin was known to be an avid sportsmen enjoying curling, camping, fishing and hunting. Most of all he will be remembered for his love for the game of Bunnock. Sev brought bunnock into our family, community and helped with the start of the annual Bunnock tournament in Bashaw. He always had a game of bones ready for sale in his famous “Sev’s bones and boxes” and was always so proud of a sale knowing the joy it would bring to other families. Every Thursday night was poker night with the guys and every Saturday night was couples night playing pegs and jokers with dear friends. Sev was also a member of the rusty nuts men’s golf club at the Ponoka Golf Course.

Severin was predeceased by his parents George and Theodora Gartner; siblings Elaine and her husband Gary Maude, Joseph Gartner, Zagary Gartner, Joseph Gartner, and Kathaleen Gartner; brothers-in-law Don Bidyk, Ken Bidyk, Jim Lewis, and Warren Harrick; sister-in-law Doreen Bidyk; and mother-in-law Anne Bidyk.

A Celebration of Life for Severin will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 66 at 1:00 p.m.  The service was video recorded - the video link is located below.  

Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute or Diabetes Canada.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Severin John Gartner, please visit our floral store.