George Meislitzer

The family of George Meislitzer of Swift Current, Saskatchewan are saddened to announce his passing on March 23, 2023 at the Cypress Regional Hospital with his daughter by his side.

 Valantin Georg Meislitzer was born in St. Leonhard, Austria on April 22, 1935.  He was the seventh child born of 11 children to Johann and Maria Meislitzer.  George attended school until the 8th Grade then moved on to attend Trade School to become a Machinist.  After working for a few years he decided to join his brother John and sister Margaret and move to Canada and in August 1957 he arrived in Swift Current.  Shortly after arrival he found a job as a farm hand helping out during harvest with Schapanski Farms.  A short time later he accepted a job with Knudsen Construction where he worked for three years.  In 1961 he started with the Bowman Brothers where he was able to put his trade skills to work as a Machinist.  George had a great career with Acklands Grainger as their head Machinist until his retirement in 1998.  George was a hard working man who took great pride in his work and because of this was well known for his work as a Machinist.  After his retirement George was able to take annual trips back to Austria to visit his family who he so adored.  He looked forward to going back “home” every summer and would always come back to Canada already planning the dates for the following year.

George met the love of his life Verna Tippe in 1961 at the bowling lanes where they were both part of a bowling league and they were eventually married on May 15, 1965.  In April of 1970 their only daughter Terra-Lee was born.

George enjoyed all kinds of sports.  When he first arrived in Swift Current he played soccer in a Men’s League for about a year, he was an avid competitive bowler with Frontier Bowling Lanes and continued competitive bowling for many years (1958-1981).  In 1969 while at a competition in Moose Jaw George bowled a “perfect game” and won many awards.  George was also a long time member of the Elmwood Golf Club, the Swift Current Badminton Club and as a huge hockey fan was a longtime season ticket holder for the Swift Current Broncos.  George never missed a home game and even took many road trips to follow the Swift Current Broncos over the years but when he couldn’t be there he always had the game turned on through his walkman radio.  George loved music, he loved to sing and also loved to dance.  He was involved in the church choir for many years and when he wasn’t singing in the choir George was always humming a tune wherever he was.  Music was in his blood.

George was a kind, caring and very social man who loved spending time with his family and friends and this was evident in the numerous gatherings that George and Verna hosted in their basement or the many dances and other social events they attended.  George enjoyed going out to “coffee row” twice a day and always looked forward to the weekly poker game with the guys.  His bright smile and his sense of humor always made others smile and laugh whenever you were around him.  George was well liked by all who knew him and was always there to lend a helping hand never asking anything in return. 

George will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Terra-Lee (Lee) Toews, his grandchildren Breanna (Brandt) Miller, Ashley Toews (Kevin Bendall), and Aaron Toews (Autumn Nimegeers).  His sisters – Johanna Kurbus, Margaret Galle, Traudi Klingler, Barbara Butz and Annelies Gruzei.  His brother Alfred (Shirley) Meislitzer, sister in law Anci Meislitzer, brother in laws Mervin (Cathy) Tippe and Murray (Val) Tippe and by numerous nieces and nephews.

George was predeceased by his loving wife Verna in 2015, his parents Johann and Maria Meislitzer, Sisters and brother in laws – Regina (Franz) Pfeiffer, Maria (Jonny) Grantham, Ella (Paul) Gregori, John Galle, Armin Kurbus, Helmut Klingler and Max Gruzei.  Brother - John Meislitzer, sister in law – Geraldine (Dennis) Stout. 

Memorial Service was held from Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church April 22, 2023 10:30 am with Father Thomas Mutavanattu officiating.  Arrangements entrusted to Warren's Funeral Home, for further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com, and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.

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