Witting, Anna of Vulcan, Alberta passed away Friday, November 28, 2003 at the Vulcan Extendicare at the age of 88 years.
Anna was born September 27, 1915 to Julius and Linda Matschke on a farm near Radison, Saskatchewan. She was in the middle of five brothers and seven sisters. When Anna was young, farm life was hard work mixed with music lessons for her brothers and sisters and sports, she played ball which was one of the best things that she could have done.
Anna went to Hoffmungsfeld School near Borden, Saskatchewan and completed her grade 11. Her and her brother then went to Calgary to finish their grade 12. Anna wanted to become a nurse but she was in a terrible car accident and was not able to finish her nursing. Anna still wanted to help people so she started working at ladies homes that could not take care of themselves.
Anna met her first husband, Earl Burtch, at a dance in Calgary. He was a carpenter. They were married in 1940 and had a son, Ken, in February of 1943. When Ken was three months old, Earl passed away from a heart attack. Anna did not think she could raise her son completely alone, so she started cooking on a ranch west of Nanton where Anna met Harry Witting while he was working at her uncle’s farm and they were married in 1946. Harry worked on a ranch until they moved to Vulcan in 1952 and started working for the Cutforth family two miles north of town. After Harry passed away in 1969, Anna remained on the Cutforth farm helping out where she could.
Anna has belonged to several clubs including the Red Cross. She also attended the Congregational Church in Champion with the Cutforths. Anna moved to the Peter Dawson Lodge in 1996 after a lengthy stay in the hospital. In January, 2000 she moved to Extendicare were she has resided since.
Loving mother of a son Ken (Bryna) Burtch of Osgoode, Ontario, two brothers Ernie (Lynne) Matchke of Eganville, Ontario and Larry Matchke of Barrhaven, Ontario, four grandchildren Kendal Burtch, Shari Flamon, Alicia Burtch and Michael Burtch, two great grand children Zoe and Zachary Flamon, numerous nieces and nephews.
Anna was predeceased by two husbands, Earl Burtch and Harry Witting, seven sisters, three brothers and her parents.
Graveside service at Vulcan Cemetery Friday December 12, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at the with Rev. Ed Summers officiating.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Anna’s memory can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta 1825 Park Rd. S.E. Calgary T2G 3Y6.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.