Frederick "Fred" Spreter was born on November 27, 1903 and passed away April 11, 2011 at the age of 107. He was married to Catherine for 76 years they had three children. During Fred's lifetime; some of the events that took place were World Wars I and II and the Korean War. Also events that took place, locally, were the Frank Slide and the Hillcrest Explosion.
Also occurred were in 1981 the West Edmonton Mall opened, becoming the world's largest shopping center at that time and in 1988 the Winter Olympics were held in Calgary and again in 2010 the Winter Olympic Games were held in Vancouver.
SPRETER, Fred
November 27, 1903 - April 11, 2011 -- It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Fred Spreter on April 11, 2011 at the age of 107 years. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Catherine (Kitty); daughter Marie (Terry) Heffernan; son Fred (Evelyn) preter; daughter Denise (Jim) Leask; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one grandson. Funeral Services were held at the Crossfield United Church at 2 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2011 with Brenda Watt officiating. Interment was held prior to the service at the Crossfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made in memory of Fred to Aspen Ridge Lodge or Crossfield United Church or charity of choice.
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Fred's Life Story:
Frederick (Fritz) Spreter was born in Stuttgart, Germany, as Fritz Spreter on November 27, 1903, to his parents Joseph and Maria Spreter. Fred had 2 sisters, Bertha born in 1899 – 1998, and Martha born in 1897 – 1986.
Fred started school in 1914 at age six when World War 1 broke out. In 1919, he graduated from High School and shortly after he began his apprenticeship for 3 years on different farms, otherwise you could not enter University.
In 1922, he began his studies at the University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim. Then in 1925, he graduated with his diploma and teacher degree. His diploma was equivalent to a “Bachelor of Science” degree.
In 1926, he was a manager on a farm in Germany for a short time. As the future did not look very promising there, Emil Klein and Fred decided to immigrate to Canada.
In 1926, they boarded the ship called the “Seydlitz” in Bremen on March 20th and arrived in Halifax on March 27th. They left Halifax by train across Canada. It took 6 days to arrive at their destination of Didsbury, Alberta.
They were picked up and taken to different farms as hired men and they drove tractors, as well as handle eight-horse teams. Their wages, were $15 to $20 per month and the second year $45. The food and rent were included and they were paid in the fall of the year.
In the winter time there was no work on a farm, so he went to work in the coal mines at Wayne, Alberta (Drumheller Valley). He worked by contract, and worked in groups of two and was paid so much per ton. He lived in small, very cold, miner shacks. They would make the porridge the night before, and sometimes by morning it was frozen solid, so if you got up late, you cut off a chunk and ate it on the way to work! He worked there for 2 winters.
In the fall of 1928, he bought his first car, a Model T, second hand for $175.00.
In 1931, he started farming on his own, and went in partnership with Karl Kopp for 2 years. Then in 1932, they split up their partnership, and Fred purchased the farm which they were lived on. He paid $3,000.00, and each fall he would pay Mr. Haggerman one third of the grain crop until it was paid off in 10 years. Later, Fred bought another quarter of land from Haller Otto and a quarter from Wilfred Simmons for $5,000.00.
In 1934, Fred married Catherine (Kitty) Cameron, and they built the house which they lived in, up until moving to Didsbury Lodge. They had 3 children, Marie (Terry Heffernan) Heffernan, Fred (Evelyn) Spreter, and Denise (Jim Leask). They had 7 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Fred was always hard at work on the farm. He did find time for support to the community. Fred was a West Hope School trustee for a number of years. As well, he canvassed for the Community Chest for many years. Fred & Kitty attended community dances and turkey suppers over the years and belonged to the Madden United Church.
In 1954, he returned to Germany, with Kitty and Marie for a visit and again in 1968 and 1974 to both Scotland and Germany.
In 2005 Fred celebrated his 100th birthday and their 69th anniversary at the Madden Community Centre, with a host of family, friends and neighbors. He received congratulatory messages from the Queen, Prime Minister and Provincial MLA’s.
Also in 2005, it was Alberta’s 100th birthday. There was a television program celebration in recognition of it. Fred and Kitty were both interviewed at their home by a television crew and they appeared in a segment of the television special. This was a special event for Fred, to have the opportunity to describe those early years of coming to Alberta.
In 2006, Fred had the honor of being the Parade Marshall for the Crossfield Rodeo Parade at the age 101. He rode in an antique car, with Kitty along side! In April of 2008, Fred & Kitty, made the difficult decision, to move from their farm home to the Didsbury Aspen Ridge Lodge. During his time there, he made many new acquaintances and had the opportunity to share their stories with other residents. Fred was pleased to be interviewed by the local newspapers and had the story appear in the Didsbury and Carstairs newspapers on a few occasions.
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