Obituary of Werner Josef Schrauth

May 20, 1939 – Cochem, Germany

December 14, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Werner Schrauth, beloved husband of Betty Schrauth (nee Heft), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the age of 83.

Werner was born in Cochem, Germany along the River Mosel on May 20, 1939. He immigrated to Canada in 1957, after being sponsored by his brother Walter. Although at the time he spoke limited English, he apprenticed and graduated from SAIT as a welder and belonged to the Ironworkers Union. It was at a job site that he met his future wife, Betty. During their early years they enjoyed spending time with family and friends and weekly steak dinner dates.

Werner and Betty married on August 17, 1968, and shortly after started a family.

He took great pride in his workmanship as an ironworker and welder, spending 36 years at Wemas Metals, retiring in 1999.

Werner was a true outdoorsman, loving to camp, fish, hunt, and garden. Even up to the time of his death, he could not sit still. If something was broken, he would find a way to fix it. He took great pride in sharing his wealth of knowledge to those who would take the time to listen.

He will be most remembered for his gardening and cooking skills, especially making (as his grandkids say) the best homemade soup in the world using fresh vegetables from his garden.

He had a keen love and an extraordinarily strong bond with his grandchildren and would light up when visiting with them. He was proud of his children and appreciated their help as they shared the duties of ensuring he was well taken care of during his last years of his life. He loved to banter back and forth with his extra son John, as they both attempted to outwit each other.

After retirement he enjoyed “working out” (socializing) with friends he met at the YMCA. Even with his back pain, you would find him on floor level with his grandkids, playing with cars, dolls, or just horsing around. No matter how old his children were, he was always there for them, offering his opinion on what to do or how to do it better. Werner also loved all his furry grand dogs, the most recent Labradoodle, Wally.

Werner is survived by his wife of 54 years Betty; his son, Stefan Schrauth, his daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and John Nicoletti; his grandchildren, Giovanni and Maya, who brought such joy to his life. Werner was predeceased by his brothers, Willi of Germany, and Walter of Calgary. Werner is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in Germany and Canada.

Special thank you to those who provided him with outstanding care and attention: Tanis Lane, Nurse Clinician. Dr. Howlett, Cardiologist. Dr. Miller, Pulmonologist. and Dr. Wadhawan, Family Doctor.

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

To respect Werner’s wishes, there will be no funeral service only a backyard celebration of life in the summertime.

In living memory of Werner Schrauth, 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.