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Walter Eric Haustein


Walter was born on March 27, 1938 and raised on the family homestead north of Erskine; he was an avid 4-H member. Through this involvement he received a public speaking award and won a trip to Toronto. He was fortunate to attend Olds College and graduated in 1957. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Whitfield in January 1959. They were blessed with three children, Susan, Mike and Kim. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in December of 1966 when Kathy was taken from them in a car accident. In 1971, he married Tony and the family unit grew by three - Kevin, Tanya, and Eric.During these ensuing years - Walter was busy with hockey, 4-H, football and farming. Even if life was hectic, there was always time for a summer vacation to sunny BC. The family still reminisces about those summer vacations. During those family years he traded the sport of curling for a new one called snowmobiling; it would prove to be a life changing decision as the sport has provided him and his family with countless years of active memories and friends by the dozens.

He was the leader of the first 4-H snowmobiling club in Alberta, and helped develop the curriculum for the program. He was also one of the founding members of the Tail Creek Snow Bird Snowmobile Club and remained an active member throughout his years. He received the Louise Sherren Lifetime Achievement Award for not only his local activities but, also his commitment on the provincial level with the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA). As part of his activities he helped start the Alberta 150 Cross Country snowmobile race, and was lucky enough to win it a couple of times with his son and son in-law. He was also the chairperson for two wildly successful ASA Jamborees in Stettler. The steam train ride is still talked about today. The sport of snowmobiling took him and his family on many trips to the Rockies, into Saskatchewan and the U.S.

Walter signed on to work "part-time" for Alberta Hail and Crop Insurance in the early 80's and this developed into a career that lasted over 20 years. As life moves forward, so did the Haustein family. Walter married Gayle in 1985 and the family grew again by three - Ken, Judy, and Teresa.

As the years rolled by, Walter was ready to "slow down." He took on the task of being Chair of the 2005 Erskine Home Coming which was a huge success. The success of this event can be seen and admired when you enter Erskine from the East or the West. Walter was an active member of the Antique Tractor Club, sat on the Board of Directors at the Seed Cleaning Plant and was a member of many local coffee clubs.

In his retirement, he preferred weekends of camping, playing cards, attempting to improve his golf swing and Sunday morning coffee with family. He loved to travel; they have been to several places in the USA, Canada and Europe. He loved world history and especially the Civil War era. His true passions included farming, family and antiques.

Walter passed away on May 29, 2017 at the age of 79 years in the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre.

Walter was predeceased by his parent's Erick and Gertrude Haustein, Gayle's parents John and Augustine Walters, wife Kathy, son Ken, brother Gerhardt and nephew Kelsey.

Walter is survived by his loving family: wife Gayle Haustein of Erskine; children: Susan (Randy) Quesseth of Erskine, Michael (Shauna) Haustein of Erskine, Kim (Tom) Weaver of Erskine, Kevin (Brenda) Haustein of Erskine, Tanya (Cameron) Cassels of Coldstream, BC, Eric (Brenda) Haustein of Erskine, Judy (Casey) Cook of Wakaw, SK, Teresa (John) Penner of Saskatoon; 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; sister Margaret (Allyn) Parr of Sylvan Lake; sisters in law Connie Haustein of Nevis and Delores (Lloyd) Steg of Steinbach, MB; nieces, nephews; other family members and many dear friends.

A celebration of Walter's life was held on Monday, June 5, 2017 in the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home with Reverend Ross Helgeton officiating. Walter was laid to rest in the Erskine Cemetery, Erskine, Alberta. Donations in memory are gratefully accepted to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, the Alberta Cancer Foundation or a charity of your choice c/o

STETTLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM,

Box 1780, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0, 403-742-3422,

who were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.



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