Dorothy Annie Fretz nee: Reist
It is with sadness that the Fretz family announces the peaceful passing of Dorothy on Sunday, September 5, 2021, She will be joining her husband, Lorne, to be with her Heavenly Father. She is predeceased by her brother Roy Reist (Grace); her brother, Lorne Reist; her sister, Elsie Reist, and her sister, Mildred Reist Rendle (Fred). Her older sister, Helen Spicer (Elden), resides in Alberta. Loving mother to Bryan (Joanne) of Selkirk, Maurice (Bonnie) of Quesnel, B.C., Linda of Cambridge, Keith (Debbie) of Ear Falls, Lloyd (Ann) of New Hamburg, and Sylvia (Bert) of Mississauga. Dear Grandma to 17 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
Dorothy Annie Reist’s life began in High River, Alberta on May 9, 1927. Her parents were homesteaders in the prairie and worked hard to make ends meet. During her teen years (during the Great Depression) Dorothy did housework for families in the community. Her school only went and far as Grade 9 and she yearned for more schooling. When Rockway Mennonite High School opened in 1945, she got on a train and moved to Kitchener, Ontario. Near the end of the school year, Rockway School came to the Rainham Mennonite Church in Selkirk for a service. There she was invited to work, during her summer vacation, for three different local families, one of which were related to Lorne Fretz. Later Lorne and Dorothy both attended Niagara Christian College in Fort Erie and eventually were married on August 20, 1950.
Lorne and Dorothy started off their life together in Minden, Ontario, where Lorne taught school and Dorothy made a cosey home in their trailer, which soon included a new baby. In the mid 50’s they moved to Rainham Township when Lorne started to work at Winger Electric in Hagersville and later started “Erie Electronics.” Dorothy worked hard caring for their family of eight and in 1964 they moved to the home farm. In 2012, Dorothy finally got to retire from doing housework when they moved to Nithview Seniors Community in New Hamburg. She enjoyed her stay at Nithview until she fell in July of 2020. Then she endured a long hospital stay and eventually moved to Chartwell Nursing Home in Kitchener in November.
Among other things, Dorothy will be remembered for her bravery, patience, resourcefulness, good humour, kindness and hugs.
As requested, there will be a graveside committal on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11:30 am. at the Hoover Cemetery, 516 Lakeshore Road, Selkirk followed by a private family Memorial Service at the Rainham Mennonite Church, 173 Fisherville Rd. at 12 noon. There will be a public outdoor fellowship with refreshments after the family service from 1-2 pm. Donations to Rainham Mennonite Church. Arrangements by Hyde & Mott Chapel, Hagersville. www.rhbanderson.com