Nov 1, 1933 - Jan 13, 2018
Max Carl Ginther, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather (Papa Max), uncle, brother, brother-in-law and friend, passed away January 13, 2018, at the age of 84, surrounded by his wife and family.
Max was born November 1, 1933, in Innisfail to Carl and Clara Ginther. He was raised on the farm west of Huxley. Instilled into his upbringing were traditional beliefs, family, hard work, respect and integrity. He lived his life following these values.
Max took his early schooling, riding horseback to the Loyalty School in the Kneehill District, followed by school in Trochu.
Max's blood ran orange, Allis Chalmers orange. His career with Allis Chalmers started in 1953 as a partsman. He quickly moved up the ladder becoming a District Manager. He won numerous awards for his sales talents. Three times in a row, he was in the top 20 sales bracket for North America with Allis Chalmers. It was an incredible achievement. Max realized his dream in 1976, buying into Stettler Machine Shop Ltd. He was selling Allis Chalmers farm equipment directly to farmers and he loved the job. He quickly modernized the business, changed the name to Stettler Machinery Inc, and found a niche in the market, gaining clients that became true friends. He will be remembered in business for honesty, integrity and keeping an even keel even when the road was bumpy with mergers, bad harvests and the occasional customer that was challenging.
He was active in the community and was a member of Associated Travelers for 52 years. He was a member of the Shriners, Masons, Eastern Star, Rotary and Stettler United Church.
Max was a competitive sportsman, loving baseball, hockey, football, wrestling, coaching, curling and many other sports. He especially loved the Stampeders, though a few oranges where flung at the TV on fumbled balls. His passion for crib was renown. He had the cards counted as you laid the last one down.
Max was married to the light of his life, Donna Lea, for 60 years. Together they built an incredible life, family and friends being the number one priority. Max is survived by his loving wife, Donna Lea; children: Dennis (Shelley), Lora Lea Harrison (Lyle), Doug (Susan); grandchildren: Amanda Mallet (Beau), Dani, Whitney Anderson (Jay), Devon and Shaelin; great-grandchildren to Papa Max: Max and Koen Anderson, Sophia and Stella Mallet.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, January 19, 2018 at 2:00 at the Stettler United Church, Stettler, Alberta. Burial will be held on January 20th at Pine Lake Holy Trinity Church Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Max are gratefully accepted to Stettler Health Services Foundation, Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund or a charity of choice c/o Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, P.O. Box 1780, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0, who have been entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.
The family is grateful to all those who made his last years as comfortable as possible.
Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium
403-742-3422, entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.