Obituary of Ilse Margot Kritzer

September 26, 1934 - Neu Stadt, Germany

 September 11, 2023- Calgary, Alberta

Surrounded by her loved ones, Ilse Margot Kritzer passed away peacefully, September 11, 2023, at 12:01 am, in Calgary, AB.

Ilse was born in Neustadt, Oberschlesian, Germany. She was the middle child to Charlotte and Wilhelm Sperlich. In 1945 her family fled their town seeking refuge during WWII, traveling through Czechoslovakia to Bavaria eventually resettling in Hundersingen, Germany. As a teenager Ilse commenced a 3-year Agricultural apprenticeship with a focus on farming, animal husbandry and business. She was the youngest and the first woman to graduate from the program in 1952.

At 19 years of age with her diploma in hand, Ilse pursued her dream of immigrating to Canada. She secured an agricultural position in Vancouver however due to government restrictions; it was deemed unsafe for an unaccompanied young woman to travel further west than Calgary. Undeterred, she made a career pivot and became a nanny/housekeeper for an established oil and gas family, the Hetheringtons. What she thought would be just a short-term job turned into supporting and loving this Canadian family for 13 years and the creation of a lifelong bond.

In 1965, with the opening of the Foothills Hospital, Ilse transitioned to work as a housekeeping attendant until the birth of her daughter. With new priorities, Ilse secured employment with UMA Engineering working in the print shop. She proudly concluded her 35-year career there as the Supervisor of the Reproduction Department.

In her retirement, Ilse spent quality time with her grandchildren, pursuing her passion for gardening, and enjoyed her little slice of paradise more fully, the family cabin at Shuswap Lake. Ilse was overjoyed to become a great-grandmother in late 2021.

Ilse’s family expresses heartfelt gratitude to all staff at AgeCare SkyePoint for the exceptional care and support provided during her residency there.

Ilse was predeceased by her son, Peter; parents, Charlotte Helene Marta Sperlich (Schneider) and Wilhelm Max Sperlich; sister, Lieselotte Measer; and husband, Gilbert Kritzer.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Vicki Switzer (David), grandchildren, Kyle Bly (Julia), Shayla Sorensen (Eric); and Adyson Switzer; great-grandson, Felix Bly; sister, Ruth Pilz; and nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home Crowfoot Chapel, (82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB, T3G 2T3) on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 2:00 pm. If you are able to join us, please wear a shade of blue or a bright colour, Ilse’s favourites. A private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to aid in the rebuilding of the North Shuswap Community Foundation (102 – 160 Harbourfront Drive. NE, Salmon Arm, B.C. V1E 3M3) Telephone: 250-832-5428, http://shuswapfoundation.ca/

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ilse’s family here.

In living memory of Ilse Kritzer, 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.