Remembering our roots ~ Rozella Pietz

By John Godsman Times Contributor

Rozella’s family originated from the U.S.; her father Dale Ferguson was raised in Kansas and Colorado, while her mother Mamie was raised in Nebraska. They were married on April 4, 1926 and immediately came to Countess, Alta., which is nowadays just a wide spot on the road, to purchase land from the CPR. They had three children, Kenneth, Louise and Rozella (1932) all born in Bassano.
Rozella attended Burn Brae School for the first eight years, then Bassano High School. They were bused from Countess in a two-ton truck that had high steps for entry and wooden benches for sitting on. Following high school, Rozella attended Henderson Business College in Calgary. Rozella has great memories of her school years, particularly the activities after school, like community dances, Christmas concerts, etc. Her family was very musical and she learned to play the piano at an early age. She also learned to play the saxophone, banjo, accordion and the ukulele.
In 1951, Rozella married Laurence Nerland of Gleichen, a farmer. They had three sons. Laurence died of a heart attack in 1971 and Rozella married John Pietz in 1974, moving back to Bassano from Brooks where she had been working. John was a carpenter and a musician who played the guitar. John passed in the year 2001.
When Rozella was 15 years old, she joined her brother Ken’s band as the pianist, and they played at dances. Her sister Louise also played the piano, and she and Rozella would sing in harmony many times. Their dad Dale also played the banjo and guitar, and sang for many years at country dances.
To this day, Rozella continues to play piano with her own band, at seniors homes and at Strathmore United Church, before the service on the last Sunday of the month. When she’s not entertaining with her music, she enjoys oil painting, knitting and sewing.
Rozella has 10 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and lives in Strathmore. She said the best thing she ever did was move into Strathmore in 2003 where she is closer to her family and to Calgary.
Strathmore has grown since she arrived, and she noted the grocery store (Co-op) has moved from downtown to east and south of town, where there is ample parking.
Rozella said Strathmore has everything she needs, including a taxi and Handi-bus service.