Jim Petz

Jim Petz was born at home in the Tummel District on Feb. 23, 1938 to Alex and Rose Petz into an incredibly close family of 14 brothers and sisters where there was always lots of love and laughter. 

Jim grew up in Shellmouth where he met and married Anne.

The two of them then went into Winnipeg where Jim studied to become an electrician.  He and Anne were married in Shellmouth in August of 1961. 

In 1958, he started what would be a 45 year career in the potash industry.  He began by working at K1 and K2 in Esterhazy.  That career continued at PCS Rocanville where he eventually became General Manager in 1998 before retiring in 2003. 

The potash mine and the people who worked there were so very important to Jim.  He thought of all of you as family. 

Jim and Anne were blessed with three children Terrie, Cathy, and Ted. 

Jim was an avid sportsman – a baseball player who in this day and age would have been scouted for the big leagues - he had a great arm and boy, could he run! In fact, in 2019 Jim and his teammates from the Hohenlohe Hornets were inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Golfing with his son was one of the greatest joys of his life.  In fact, we’re sure he’s swinging the clubs with Ted and reuniting with a bunch of his old mine buddies right now. 

He spent many years coaching baseball and hockey, influencing the lives of more kids than we can count. 

He belonged to the Russell Elks and was a member of the Knox United Church council. 

Before long, came the real loves of his life – his grandchildren and then his great- grandchildren. 

Much like his younger years, he still loved sports but this time he was watching and cheering for one grandchild or another whether it be baseball, hockey, basketball, figure skating or volleyball, Grandpa was there.

Losing his son Ted in July of 2019 was a devasting blow to Jim, something from which, he never really recovered. 

Ill health followed him during his later years, finally sending him into dialysis treatment.  Being able to have his treatment here in the Russell dialysis unit with their amazing staff, was truly a blessing. 

After a nasty fall, Jim passed away peacefully in the Dauphin Hospital, surrounded by his family. 

Jim is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Terrie (Glen) their son Ross (Erika) and their sons Slater and Harper.

Cathy and Ken and their daughters Nikki (Brock), Lacy (Ryan), and their son Lennon, and Darcy (Alex). 

Ted’s children Sarah, Steven and Sasha.  

His sisters, Anne Davidson and Marjorie (Arnold) Wagner, and brothers Peter, Johnny (Delores) and Steve (Joan), along with numerous nieces and nephews; as well as Anne's brother Larry Langford (Carol), and Lynn Vaneste (Murray).    

Some words Jim left in a letter to his family to be read after his passing.

Please look after your mother. She is a special person.

Please look after each other and look out for each other. This is very important to me.

 I love you all. Thanks for the many great years.

Love you all.

Love,
Dad, Jim, Norman