Victor "Oscar" Thiel

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Victor Oscar Thiel at the age of 90 years, after a 10 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease and one year of increasingly debilitating dementia.

He was a quiet and considerate man who was always true to his word.

He leaves to mourn;  his wife, Betty of 36 years; stepson, Darcy Westfall; sisters, Vera Hartman of Grande Prairie, Elisabeth Stuart of Edmonton and brother, Paul Thiel of Port Moody BC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many special  friends.

Oscar was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta to Victor and Anna Thiel. He graduated from the Vermillion School of Agriculture in 1952. Oscar worked in the oil and gas drilling industry in Western Canada  and Alaska for 37 years. From 1991 to 2007 Oscar was employed by the Alberta Crop Insurance program. 

Oscar and Betty enjoyed travelling in their motorhome to Arizona, Texas, Alaska and throughout  Alberta.  They very much enjoyed attending the Pony Chuckwagon races plus smaller stampedes with friends involved in that sport during the past 30 years. 

Oscar was a gifted horse handler, earning the trust of a neighbour’s small pony when he was eight years old by spending time with it, then breaking it to ride, and gratefully receiving it as a gift from that neighbour.

Oscar will be remembered for his love of music and playing the guitar. He was an active member of the Wetaskiwin Jammers and joined them for 20 years playing music on Wednesday nights at the Wetaskiwin Seniors Centre for their own enjoyment and the enjoyment of singers, listeners and dancers. Also Oscar, along with a few other friends, often played and sang at the local seniors’ homes to entertain the residents.

In keeping with Oscar’s wishes, a private memorial  service will be held.

He will be missed but always remembered.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Victor "Oscar" Thiel, please visit our floral store.