Al Zadnik
1932 - 2023
Aloysius John Zadnik, beloved husband of Helen Zadnik, passed away in Taber on Sunday, December 24, 2023 at the age of 91 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Helen Zadnik (née Bolen), Al is survived by their children Glen (Wanda) Sincennes of Lethbridge and their family Joel (Karli) Sincennes and Michelle Therrien; Blaine (Shannon) Sincennes of Airdrie and their family Megan (Trent) Finney, Jenna (Justin) Cook and Mackenzie Sincennes (Jordan); Philip (Jackie) Zadnik of Taber and their family Jianna Zadnik (Nick), Dominique Zadnik, Elliah, Christian and Faith Potapoff; Michael Zadnik of Texas and his family Justin Zadnik (Amanda) (her family Averie, Henry and Noah) and Mitchell Zadnik; Elizabeth (Ryan) Buck of Taber and their family Nathan Buck and Curtis Buck. He is also survived by his great grandchildren; sister Georgia (Eugene) Hogan; Helen’s siblings Harold Bolen, Leonard Bolen, Brian (Maureen) Bolen, Verna (Butch) Clark, Della (Neil) Goruk, Helen (Steve) Zadnik and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Martin and Mary Zadnik; his first wife Philida “Phil” Zadnik (née Burch); brothers Martin Zadnik (in infancy) and Steve Zadnik; sisters, Sr. Elizabeth Zadnik and Sr. Mary Zadnik; in-laws Eddie Bolen, Patty Valgardson and Deirdre Burch.
Al was born and raised on the family farm southeast of Taber. His lifelong goal was to be a farmer and own his own land and he work as a laborer building some of the homes in Taber. He finally achieved his goal and bought a quarter section that he would call home for the majority of his life and worked in a partnership with his brother Steve. When Steve quit farming, Al followed suit and rented his farm to the Oudman family, who assumed ownership of it this past August. Al would also spend many campaigns at the Sugar factory during those late fall and winter months to keep him busy.
Al had many ups and downs, some that would challenge him physically. When challenges presented themselves, his Catholic faith was an anchor and helped him navigate events in his life. It was also influential, as he would meet both his wives through the church. He married his first wife Philida in 1966. Together they had three children Philip, Michael and Elizabeth. Philida passed away in 1978 which presented Al with his next challenge, the role of being a single parent for the next eight years. He excelled at parenting and had the added support of his brother and sisters as well as his cousins. Then, five years later, Al met Helen. They were like teenagers cruising to town beside each other in the truck and two years later they were married in a small ceremony with family which enabled him another thirty seven years of adventures.
His vegetable and fruit gardens were his lifetime passion and hobby. The gardens were big and he grew so much produce that he was always sharing. He would be asking relatives, neighbours and friends to come and pick what they could use. Al and Helen would spend many of his birthdays travelling to Kimberly, British Columbia for the annual accordion festival. There were also day trips to Oyen, Calgary, Waterton and Banff. He will be sadly missed.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Al’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 www.tdhf.ca or to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 995 Station Main, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4A4 www.kidney.ca.