Obituary of Friedrich (Fred) Mahler

August 14, 1932 - Winzentowa, Poland

October 11, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with sadness that our family announces the passing of our dear dad and opa, Friedrich (Fred) Mahler, on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at the age of 90 years.

Fred was born in Winzentowa, Poland, the second of four children. The family fled to Germany in 1939 and settled near Sehnde, Germany.

In his early years, Fred found joy and humour in life despite the troubled times. He helped his older sister Martha to care for his younger brothers, Sigismund and Horst. Fred did well in school, but in those days, there were few choices for employment, and he was assigned to work in a salt mine.

In 1953, Fred moved to Canada in search of adventure and new opportunities. He was a farm worker for several years until he moved to Winnipeg and went to trade school to become a bricklayer. In those years, he lived as a border with the Lach family who had a successful sod farm. Those were happy years for Fred as an extended member of their family.

Fred was a man of faith and a member of the Lutheran Church. He joined the young adult’s group where he met the love of his life, Alice. Their relationship was one for the ages, two souls completely in sync.

They were married on October 26, 1962. Stephen was born in 1964 and Thomas in 1965. Fred loved ‘his boys” and was very involved in teaching them what is important in life. This close-knit family shared many great times together, from the early years in Winnipeg and London, Ontario, returning ‘home’ to Winnipeg in 1974.  Fred was a highly valued member of several masonry contractors in Winnipeg, and also worked on the weekends for fun and extra income with his good friend, Henry Wiebe.

The boys moved away to start their careers in the early 1990s. During this time, Fred and Alice had a rich life with their many friends in Winnipeg. Alice and Fred moved to Calgary in 1996 to help raise their granddaughter MacKenzie who was born to Stephen and Nancy. They were active members at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Calgary, where Fred also sang faithfully in the choir. He was much loved by the entire congregation.

Fred will be remembered by his son Stephen and daughter-in-law (Nancy) and cherished granddaughter, MacKenzie of Calgary, his son Thomas of Calgary and (Adrienne). He was predeceased by his parents, Hermann and Olga (Gerth), step-mother Amanda Mahler, his brothers, Horst and Sigismund, and sister, Martha.

A service celebrating Fred’s life will take place on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 10620 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB, with a reception to follow. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Lutheran Church of The Cross, 10620 Elbow Dr SW, Calgary, AB, https://www.churchofthecross.ca/pages/donate, Telephone: 403.255.4792

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at the Carewest Garrison Green and Chartwell Royal Park for their care and kindness during Fred’s time with them.

In living memory of Fred Mahler, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.