1927 - 2021
Mrs. Waltraut Elfriede ‘Wally’ Oxtoby (nee Wirsig) of Innisfail, Alberta passed away at her residence at Revera Aspen Ridge, Red Deer, Alberta on Easter Monday, April 5, 2021 at the age of 93 years.
She was born at Nieder-Langenau, Germany on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927. In 1929, Wally immigrated to Canada with her parents and older brother, to Kenora, Saskatchewan and then to The Pas, Manitoba. With the local school being inaccessible, Wally and her brother travelled alone back to Germany, to be with their grandmother for two years, and attend school. Wally’s fondest childhood memories were from Germany and The Pas.
In 1945, the Wirsig family moved to Sundre, Alberta. After completing school in Sundre, Wally secured a job at the Olds School of Agriculture, as a dining room waitress. It was there, on a blind date, she met the man of her dreams, Clifford Roy ‘Toby’ Oxtoby. They married in 1947, and moved to Roy’s family farm at Innisfail, Alberta. On the farm, she raised her family, worked with Roy building and working on the farm, and later for Toby’s Backhoe. The two always shared equally the work and social responsibilities that Roy took on, enjoying the Flying Club, Lions Club and square dancing. Wally worked hard her whole life, never considering her gender would stop her from doing any activities, or, from doing them well. She played softball; winning an Alberta Championship, enjoyed curling; achieving many trophies and loved skiing with her family and travelling the world with Roy. Throughout her whole life, her most important focus was her family, enjoying all their accomplishments and activities.
In retirement, Wally and Roy lived a few years in Kevisville, Alberta and recently in Red Deer, Alberta. Her quick wit, adventuresome spirit, strength of character and devoted love will be deeply missed. Wally will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Terry (Dave) Gerrard and Jeralyn (Henrik) Rasmussen, her five grandchildren and their families, Dory (Janine) Gerrard; Alex, Damon, Kane; Kurt Gerrard; Paul (Vicki) Rasmussen; Evan and Carter; Steffen (Amanda) Rasmussen; Lars, Freja; and Marina Rasmussen. She will also be sadly missed by her two sisters, Gertie Casemore and Sieglinde (John) Hogg and her two sisters-in-law, Ann Wirsig and Kathy Wirsig.
She has now gone to rest with her husband of seventy-one years, Clifford Roy ‘Toby’ Oxtoby; her three brothers, Horst (Joan) Wirsig, Claus Wirsig and Ralph Wirsig, her brother-in law, Harold Casemore and her parents, Oscar and Frida Wirsig. A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at the Innisfail Cemetery, Innisfail, Alberta, on April 16, 2021. If desired, Memorial Donations may be made to the MS Society of Canada, 105, 4807 - 50 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 4A5 or at www.mssociety.ca, or to a Charity of the Donor's choice. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd. 4415 – 49 Street Innisfail, Alberta, Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437
