GRATZ, Donald Wayne
October 30, 1947 - October 14, 2014
Kaslo, BC
Donald Wayne Gratz was born in the Drumheller Hospital on October 30, 1947 and left this world much as he lived his life, taking on the challenges of life with courage and strength, meeting cancer head on in a valiant battle. “Grizzly” passed away near his retirement hobby farm, the Rocky Mountains and the Kokanee Lake on October 14, 2014. He was predeceased by his father Albert Peter Gratz and his mother Mary Gratz as well as his older brother Albert Francis Gratz. Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons Cal Gratz of Fort McMurray, AB and his son Riley Gratz of Williams Lake BC; Dan (Emilie) Gratz of Hinton, AB and their children Ava Gratz and Floyd Gratz; his daughter Cathy (Aaron) Mathers of Kaslo, BC and their son Andrew Mathers. He is also survived by his two sisters, Glory (Dave) Eccleston of Drumheller, AB and Shary Kelm of Hanna, AB; five nephews and a niece. Don attended school in Rosedale and Drumheller, finishing his education at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton. His boyhood interest in anything mechanical led him to the trucking industry, eventually establishing DWG Trucking, DWG Tankers, and Mountain Lite Natural Spring Water Bottling and Sales. His greatest love was hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends, sitting by the campfire telling tales and creating chaos and laughter wherever he went. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. A memorial service for Don was held on October 24, 2014 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Hinton, AB with Pastor Doug Heine officiating.
