Obituary of John Martin Niewerth

September 22, 1930 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany

September 20, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

John Niewerth, beloved husband of Therese Niewerth (nee Garceau), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at the age of 91 years.

John was born in Gelsenkirchen Buer, Germany on September 22, 1930. He moved from Germany to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1953, where he met Therese at the Legion dance. Unable to speak English or French, he bowed, extended his hand, and requested a waltz. They were married two years later, on October 22, 1955.

John accomplished much throughout his life and was particularly proud of immigrating to Canada, learning to read, write and speak the two official languages of Canada, becoming a Canadian Citizen, his family and receiving an Exemplary Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada, for his service at the St. Vincent de Paul Penitentiary during the hostage-taking.

John enjoyed golf, bowling, and woodworking. John’s most memorable vacations were his trips with Therese to visit his sister Hedy in Osoyoos, B.C. He will be most remembered for his dedication and loyalty to Therese, his perseverance and his motivation for self-improvement.

Besides his loving wife Therese, John is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne Stafford (nee Niewerth) (Gordon), and Linda Niewerth (James); son Marc Niewerth (Renald); five grandchildren, Christopher Kitts (Marquee), Leon, Brian, Jason (Jessica) and Julia Anderson (Chris Dunn); five great-grandchildren, Olivia, Sianna, Ceili and Scotlynn Anderson, and Dominic Dunn; as well as his loving 98-year-old sister-in-law Maria Niewerth (Theodore). John is also survived by his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. John was predeceased by his sisters and brothers, Hedwig, Elizabeth, Agnes, Hubert, Theodore, Bernhard, Joseph, and Wilhem.

A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Saturday,  October 1, 2022, between 11:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m. Please contact the family for more details and address. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, it was John’s last wish that any memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of John Niewerth, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.