Remembering our roots ~ Ken & Bonnie Seitz

John Godsman
Times Contributor

 

Ken’s paternal family originated in Odessa, Russia which is now part of the Ukraine. They moved to Canada in 1903, leaving the old country with four children, but unfortunately three of them died on their way here. The sole survivor was Archie Klaiber’s mother – Mary. After arriving in Alberta five more children were welcomed to the family. The family homesteaded 10 miles south of Medicine Hat, living in a dugout for three years before moving to the current ranch, which is still operated by a great-grandson. They were honoured in 2006 for the 100th Anniversary of the Seitz family homestead.
His maternal family originated in the same area of Europe, moving to Canada in 1912. When I asked why the two families came to this part of Canada, he replied Canadian Government advertising along with CPR offers of ‘free’ land, indicated life would be much better than the life they were experiencing in the Ukraine. But, after losing three children on their way here, they did wonder!
Ken was born in Medicine Hat in 1937, the oldest of three children born to Albert and Emma Seitz. He attended the original Eagle Butte School through Grade 8, then joined his father working on the ranch. Ken has one brother still operating the ranch in Eagle Butte and one sister living in Medicine Hat.
Bonnie’s family originated in Southern England and her paternal grandparents Harold and Frances Risdon moved to Canada in 1909, homesteading south of Strathmore. Her maternal grandfather Ernest Stoodley was born in Southern England in 1882 and moved to Bismarck, South Dakota when he was 14 years old, and became an apprentice printer. He later moved to Strathmore to homestead, and became one of the first printers at the Strathmore Standard. Of note is the fact he had started homesteading in Bismark, but after visiting the Strathmore area and purchasing land in Nightingale, he sold his original land in North Dakota. Ernest married Millicent Greene, whom he had met at Brighton Beach on a previous visit to England in 1913. Bonnie’s grandmother was supposed to sail on the Titanic, but missed the sailing, and came the following year.
Bonnie was born in Calgary in 1946, to Ed and Hazel Risdon and lived four miles south of Strathmore, and was the middle child to a brother and sister. When Samuel Crowther School opened in 1952, she was in the first Grade One class to attend, and she was also in the first class to graduate!
Ken moved to Strathmore in 1964, and purchased Bill Sadler’s place. He
and Bonnie met in the Spring of 1966, and were married later that year.
They have two children, Tracey who has her own consulting business and Dallas who is an artist/lecturer in London, England. Tracey has given them three grandchildren. Bonnie worked for The Royal Bank of Canada in Strathmore from 1966 to 1968, and in later years worked for Coldwell Agencies and Bumper to Bumper.
They ranched until 1997 when they sold the cows, and along with their daughter Tracey and her family, built Oxbow Country Golf Course on their land. They sold the golf course in 2007 and retired.
Ken and Bonnie have always been involved with the community: Ken joined Cheadle Lions in 1967, then transferred to Strathmore Lions in 1968 and served in many positions including District Governor in 1980-81. He served as Chairman of the Council of Governors in 1981-82, was a Founding Member of Strathmore Ag Society and served as its first secretary. He served on the board of Strathmore Golf Club for eight years, and also served for eight years with the Stockman’s Memorial Foundation in Cochrane. From 1987 to 1993, he served two terms on Wheatland County Council and School Board. He is currently Chairman of the Board of the Courtyard Condominium Association.
Bonnie served on the board of the Strathmore Figure Skating Club and was also a skating instructor for six years in surrounding communities. She was a member of the board for the Strathmore Curling Club, and a Founding Member as well as serving on the Board of Strathmore Lioness Club.
Ken and Bonnie both enjoy traveling, glass work and golfing as hobbies. They love their life here in Strathmore, but love their winters in Yuma more!