Richard Raymond Gackle

It is with broken hearts and deep sorrow we announce the passing of Richard Raymond Gackle on May 26, 2023, at 11:30 pm. Richard was born January 14, 1941, on the home place of Horsham, Saskatchewan. 

He leaves to cherish his wife of 57 1/2 years, Florence Gackle (Schatz); and his children, Ray Gackle; his 2 sons, Jaron and Jevon; Arlene (Clay) Cotie; their 2 children, Cache and Cayla; 
Jason (Angie) Gackle; their 2 children Dakota (Jade) Gackle and their son, Jackson; Shanaye Gackle. Sandra (David) Martin; their children, Mikyla, Ruben (Ashley), Drayden and Shelby.

Richard leaves 2 sisters, Alice Freimuth and Elsie Harvey; sisters-in-law, Millie Gackle, Ruth Cherot (Don Powers), Kathy Schatz; one brother-in-law, Richard (Cheryl) Schatz. He also leaves to cherish many nieces, nephews and also was a proud great grandfather to his great grandson. 

Richard was predeceased by his parents, John and Amelia Gackle; his in-laws, Arthur and Dorothy Schatz; his 2 brothers, Elroy and Leonard; brothers-in-law, Ted Freimuth and Stephen Schatz; as well as nephew, Gerald Freimuth. 

Richard married the woman of his dreams and the love of his life, Florence, on November 27, 1965, at Temple Baptist Church in Medicine Hat, Alberta. They met at dad’s place of work, Hilda Motors. Dad and mom lived on the home place of Horsham, Saskatchewan. Richard was the youngest of 5. Dad and mom retired too Medicine Hat 2007. 

Throughout Richard’s life, music played a very big part. He sang in several choirs, quartets and also directed the Ladies Barbershop Choir here in Medicine Hat. In 1976, dad became a Barbershop member and was a part of the Medicine Hat Barbershop Choir. One of dad’s greatest and proudest moments was the quartet with his sons and good friend, Clarence Briggs. As well, he was a very skilled mechanic, welder and so on. To say it in a nutshell - jack of all trades dad was for sure. At the drop of a hat, dad would be there to be that helping neighbour at any moment and given time. 

A service will be held on June 2nd, 2023, at 1:00pm at Hillcrest Evangelical Church. The service will be conducted by Doctor Shane Andrus. A livestream of service will be available to view at www.hillcrestchurch.net. For those wishing to attend, visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1st at Grace Memorial from 7:00pm – 9:00pm and Friday, June 2nd at Hillcrest Evangelical Church Prayer Room from 12:00pm – 12:55pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of one’s choice.

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