Otto Frank Weiss
January 21, 1920 - April 16, 2020
As published in the April 27, 2020 World-Spectator
Otto F. Weiss was born to Otto and Rose Weiss on January 21, 1920 in Znojmo, Czechoslovakia. Otto was the second in a family of five children. His sister, Georgia, was the oldest, and then came Dad, Laddie, Johnny and Charlie. Otto spent the first seven years of his life in Zerotice and went to school there for almost two years. Otto remembered some things from those years and was proud that in those years he learned his multiplication times tables all the way up to 13 X 13.
When Otto was seven years old the family moved to Canada. His father had come a year earlier and found a little farm near Roland, Manitoba and that is where they settled for the next eight years and it was in a little country school there where Otto got most of his schooling. Because Otto was the oldest boy in the family and had learned to speak English well at a young age, Otto often went with his father to act as a translator and helper on many official dealings and business. Otto had to grow up fast and learned to be responsible.
Times were hard and the depression hit and prompted his parents to let the farm go and move once again. In 1935 they settled on a farm northwest of Gerald. Otto was a young man by this time and worked hard on the farm, and this became his home for the next 45 years. There were difficulties and sorrows to overcome as his mother died when Otto was just 17. There were also good times and joys. It was after this time that Otto met the love of his life, Elsie Petracek. They married in 1944 and settled down on the farm. At about this time Otto was also able to get his Canadian citizenship and this was always very near and dear to his heart.
They started a family and had four children, Jerome, Elsie, Jeannette and Randy. They worked hard as the family and farm grew and they always provided for us very well. It was a mixed farm with a little of everything from milk cows, beef cattle, pigs and poultry as well as grain crops for sale and feed. Then a big garden as well. The farm could pretty well look after all of our needs.
Besides working on the farm Otto was always very involved in the community and Church. When power first came to our area, he helped in putting up the power lines. Otto served on the parish council and was involved in the building of our Church. Otto was a member of the Knights of Columbus, first in the Langenburg council and then when Gerald formed their own council, Otto became a charter member here. Otto served as Grand Knight in both councils and also served as District Deputy. Otto also served on the RM of Langenburg council as councillor for his division for several years and became involved in many RM projects. One of the duties that Otto took on at this time was to serve on the committee that dealt with Home Care in the RM. During this time Otto was involved with the building of the Langenburg Centennial Special Care Home, which is where Otto spent the last almost four years of his life.
In 1979 Otto retired and he and Elsie moved to Gerald. Otto continued to be active in the community and parish as well as still helping out on the farm. Children and grandchildren would gather at their home every Sunday after Mass. In 2002, they moved to Daisy Hill in Esterhazy where they remained active for a good many years. In June of 2016 he reallocated to Langenburg Centennial Special Care Home where he received excellent care.
Otto was always honest and fair in his dealings with others. Otto showed respect to others and they in turn respected him.
Otto leaves to remember and cherish his life his children: Jerome (Colleen) in Odessa, Sask.; Elsie (Doug) Victoor in St. Albert, Alberta; Jeannette (Doug) Salkeld in Gerald; and Randy (Leah) in Churchbridge; and his brother Charlie (Rose) in Esterhazy and sister-in-law Adela Weiss in Langenburg; along with 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Otto was predeceased by his wife Elsie, his parents Otto and Rose, his sister Georgia (Rudolph) Petracek, and brothers Laddie (Madeline) and Johnny, brother-in-law Emil (Betty) Petracek, and grandson Ian Salkeld.
Mass of the Christian Burial took place Saturday, April 18, 2020 from St. Wenceslaus Roman Catholic Church, Gerald with Father Andrew Pawlowicz presiding. Interment followed at the Parish Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to St. Wenceslaus Church Steeple Fund or the Langenburg Centennial Special Care Home.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.pcarscaddenfs.ca. Peter Carscadden Funeral Service, Esterhazy, SK in care of arrangements. 306-745-3304.
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