Obituary of Harry Herbert Neitz

Harry Herbert Neitz

September 6, 1932 - August 29, 2021

     With great sadness, the family of Harry Neitz announces his passing on the evening of August 29 at the Stettler Health Centre.

     Harry was born during a snowstorm in the family farmhouse near Golden Prairie, SK on September 6, 1932, to parents Phillip and Christina. The youngest of seven children, Harry began farming full time with his brothers at the age of 15. He purchased land in the Golden Prairie area, beginning a cow-calf ranching operation with his brother Ernest.

     Throughout his youth and young adulthood, Harry was an avid competitor on the rodeo circuit. He focused on calf roping, rising up the national rankings to become Reserve Canadian Calf-Roping Champion in 1961.

     While going from rodeo to rodeo, Harry met the love of his life, Maureen Lund, at a rodeo dance in Brooks, Alberta in 1962. They married two years later, and in 1965, purchased a ranch near Botha, AB where they began their family, welcoming children Guy, Mark, Marla, Alanna and Ross.

     Harry was a trailblazer in the ranching business. While running a conventional cow-calf operation, he was among the first wave of Canadian ranchers to import exotic cattle from Europe, including Charolais from France and Chianina cattle from Italy. He was later among the first ranchers to import Welsh Black cattle from Wales and served as president of the Welsh Black Association for two years.

     In 1981, Harry and Maureen established Twin Arrows Ranch near Erskine, AB, where they continued to live for the remainder of Harry’s life.

     While he enjoyed working with cattle, Harry loved being around horses. He bred and showed registered quarter horses and would later become one of Canada’s premier paint horse breeders. He sold horses across Canada and the U.S., sending them as far away as Connecticut and Mexico.

     Over the last several years Harry stepped back from the farm, letting his children take the reins. Even into his old age, he remained active on the ranch, fixing fences, riding horses, sorting cattle and shoveling grain. It was where he was most at home, outside and active, and among the land, family, and animals he loved.

     In June of this year, Harry and Maureen celebrated their 57th anniversary, surrounded by family.

     Harry is survived by his loving wife Maureen; children: Guy (Cheri) Neitz, Marla (Kendal) Judy, Mark (Jill) Neitz, Alanna (Scott) Campbell and Ross (Erin) Neitz; grandchildren: Ty (Megan) Neitz, Kylie Neitz, Shayla (Benjamin) Bennett, Taryn Judy, Taylor Judy, Carson Neitz, Josie Neitz, Brock Neitz, Taite Neitz, Caleb Campbell, Cassidy Campbell, Keaton Campbell and Wesley Neitz; great grandchildren: Charlotte Neitz, Clark Neitz and Artemis Bennett; as well as numerous other relatives and many dear friends.  Harry is predeceased by parents Christina and Phillip Neitz; six siblings and grandson Preston Neitz.

     Donations in memory of Harry are gratefully accepted to the Stettler Hospice Society or to a charity of your choice. 

Funeral Service

Saturday, September 4, 2021

1:00 P.M.

Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints Stettler, Alberta

Private Family Interment will follow at the Erskine Cemetery with a fellowship at the Erskine I.O.O.F Hall.