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Horst Philipp Waldemar Lichti

March 25, 2018

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Feb 27, 1930 - Mar 25, 2018
Horst Lichti, longtime resident of Grindrod, and Armstrong, BC passed away at the age of 88.

Horst immigrated from Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany in 1952 with his brother Gerhard, leaving behind a large close-knit extended family. Horst had completed agricultural training in Germany and looked forward to farming in Canada. He worked as a farm laborer in Alberta, and soon met Berta Hoffmann, sister to his brother's bride Frieda. They married in 1953, and worked for a few years on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley, and also celebrated the arrival of their first daughter, Eleonore.

Horst applied to train as a bulldozer operator, and they moved to Courtney, BC where Horst worked for Crown Zellerbach for 11 years building logging roads. During that time two more daughters were born, Marilyn and Anita. Horst and Berta saved diligently, and Horst worked hard to build and sell several homes, so that in 1968, they were able to purchase their first 500 acre farm on Hullcar Rd near Armstrong.

They then moved to Rocky Mountain House, AB, and eventually Dawson Creek, BC where Horst was able to fulfill his dream of a large grain farm. Horst worked long hours, but was known for his generous, kind and helpful nature with family, friends and neighbors, and always looked forward to sharing coffee or a meal with anyone who came for a visit. Horst was a faithful Christian, and Sunday was a day of worship, and often a sightseeing drive through the country.

Upon semiretirement in 1988, Horst and Berta moved back to the Okanagan near Grindrod. The mild climate, fruit trees, and surrounding hills always reminded Horst of his beautiful hometown in Germany. Horst enjoyed raising, training, and riding beautiful Quarter horses and took up team penning with friends. He loved to share his horses with everyone, and many children enjoyed their first ride on one of his gentle well trained mares. Sadly, Horst developed balance problems, and gave up his horse work. He and Berta built their dream home on an acreage near Armstrong, but shortly after, Horst required the care of Pleasant Valley Manor and resided there the past 5 years.

Family and friends gathered at Armstrong Bible Chapel on April 4th to share fond memories of Horst's life. He leaves behind his loving wife of 64 years, Berta, his daughter Marilyn Gustavson of Beaverlodge, AB, and daughter and son-in-law Anita and Craig Hellquist of St. Paul, AB, grandchildren; Johanna Peters of Grande Prairie, AB, Corrie (Kris) Nordhagen of Beaverlodge, AB, Esther (Boyd) Fletcher of Goodfare, AB, Calvin Gautschi of Toronto, ON, Tanner Hellquist of Edmonton, AB, Jessie Hellquist, Logan Hellquist of St. Paul, AB, and greatgrandchildren; Tristan & Shaylee Peters, Julie, Cooper & Lincoln Fletcher, Emersyn, Taylor, Trenton, Dayton, & Brandon Nordhagen, as well as a large number of beloved extended family.

He was predeceased by his eldest daughter Eleonore Lichti in 1999.

Horst is interred at Spallumcheen Cemetary overlooking the surrounding valley.   



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