In Memory Of

Gentry "Neil" Ohler

Jun 24, 1930 - Feb 16, 2025

Service

Thursday, April 17, 2025
2:00 pm
Stavely Community Hall
5109-52nd street
Stavely, Alberta

Obituary

Elizabeth Ohler and family wish to share that we are so grateful for the 94 wonderful years given to Gentry “Neil” Ohler. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on February 16, 2025.

His life began on June 24, 1930, on the family farm east of Stavely, AB. He was the third son of Cora and Gentry Ohler. Neil began his farming career as a little boy, helping on the family farm alongside his brothers (Bert, Ray and Rodger) and sister (Blanche). He furthered his training in the mixed farming field attending Old’s College. He and Elizabeth purchased their farm east of Stavely early in their marriage and raised all four children there. The family took a break from farming in 1970 with a move to Salmon Arm, BC. During their time in Salmon Arm, Neil worked at a lakeside resort, then moved into construction and began building homes. It seems true that you cannot take the farmer out of a man. The family moved back to Stavely in 1974. Neil and Elizabeth made many new friends during their time in BC who continued to visit and stayed in touch through the years. He and Elizabeth sold the farm in 2016 and moved to Rocky Mountain House to be close to family. Neil’s positive impact in every community where he lived will be remembered by many.

Neil was a man of many talents. Besides farming, cattle tending, house building, inventing and fixing all equipment needed to do any job, he will also be remembered for his fun endeavours - building BBQs, go carts, little red wagons, skis, kid’s toys, spud guns, and… “questionable” parade entries!

Community was of utmost importance to Neil. He served on several Boards and volunteered for many community projects through the years. He was a key member of the Stavely Elks Lodge, the Stavely Community Hall Board, the Claresholm Transportation Society, and many more. Whenever there was a need within the community, he was always willing to help. Neil’s sense of humor and joyous laughter will be treasured by all who knew and worked with him.

Neil is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth, their four children Debbie, Dan, Lana and Emil and spouses, 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Brother Ray also continues to spread the Ohler love, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and the list goes on. Neil and Elizabeth created a strong foundation for their family and he has left each member with sincere appreciation for the love he shared. Neil believed that we should all live our lives “doing good for others”. All who knew Neil, would recognize that he lived up to this standard every day of his life.

A celebration of life will be held at the Stavely Community Hall, 5109 - 52 Street, Stavely, AB, on April 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM. A luncheon will follow the service. All are welcome to attend!

We give thanks to the Lord for the blessing of Neil’s life, the blessings the Lord gave him in life, and for the life the Lord now gives him in eternity

Should you wish to make a donation in Neil’s honour, please drop a cheque at the Stavely Town Office, made payable to the Stavely Community Hall. Or you can e-transfer your donation to stavelyhall@gmail.com

As a family we wish to express our sincere gratitude for the wonderful kind words, support and loving hugs we have received from so many. We believe that the love Dad shared will continue to spread. We are so grateful to all who are able to help us share Dad’s joy for life on April 17, 2025.


Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences

Janet Stewart :

Sending my love and hugs to the entire Ohler family. I’m sure that you will all be feeling a tremendous loss.

Losing Extra-Special Uncle Neil at the age of 94, still feels like a life gone way too soon. But what a way to live a life … and what a way to go! I l think my Grandkids will always hold memories of seeing Uncle Neil riding his Segway like a Pro around the Seniors Home just weeks before he passed, and bombing around in a GoKart at Hela Camp last Summer :)

What a wonderful example of a Human being Uncle Neil was. So warm, so giving, and so very kind. So fun, so cheerful, and always so up beat. He was a true inspiration to me, and I’m sure to all who knew him. In my eyes, he was one of the best Husbands and Fathers that I had ever seen, and he was THE perfect Uncle.

RIP Uncle Neil. I will really miss you.

Shawn Sykes:

My dad John was best of friends with Neil since childhood. We had many, many trips to the farm throughout my childhood, hanging out with Emil and Dan. I have many happy memories from the Ohlers farm from milking cows and shooting gophers to riding dirt bikes until they ran out of gas. Neil and Elizabeth are two of the kindest people I have ever known. Very sorry to hear.
I’m sure my dad and Neil and a few more farmers are somewhere up there telling stories and such. All good, they earned it.

Charlotte Olsson:

We are so sorry for your loss!
We so fond memories of Neil from our friendship over the years and our visits in Stavely.
You are all in our thoughts

Love

Karin Alf
Charlotte Tomas
Peter

Sherri Tanner and Family:

When we think about Neil a smile comes across our faces. We all have such fun thoughts about the times he made different bicycle type-of-thinga-ma-bobbies :)
His warm and loving disposition will be missed
We send our love to Elizabeth and the whole family.
Love and live like Neil did! Make the most of each day
Xxoo

Jim Mitchell:

I was very lucky to have met and spend time with Neil. What a positive and fun loving person. We shared many laughs together. My sincere condolences to Elizabeth and family. Neil will be sincerely missed.

Rick and Diana Bellamy:

Neil was such a fun loving, wonderful man. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and anyone who was lucky enough to know him. We hope find peace in knowing he is also at peace. Sending our love to the Ohler family.

Linda and Keith Brown:

Oh Ohler family- we are so sorry for your loss.
What a wonderful man…..
Our 4 kids- all from the city, would be invited to the amazing Ohler farm every summer and of course Lisa’s kitchen.
They learned to be farmers..thanks to Neil and Dan.
They rode horses, milked cows, churned butter, helped pull calves out during birth, castrated pigs, learned to drive a stick shift in the old truck, shot gophers, and had a ton of fun on Neil’s amazing go-carts.
We have all been reminiscing about the fun and friendship.
Thanks, we love you and will miss you.

Donna Sheard (Asgard):

Uncle Neil will always be in my memories as part of the best Stavely will always be. Auntie Liz and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Lots of love to you all,
Donna and Phil.

Brenda Nelson:

Growing up at Stavely I will always remember Neil & Elizabeth as vital members of the community and the Stavely Elks. Neil always had a smile & kind words for everyone.
Condolences to Elizabeth and the whole family
Brenda & Ron

Gary Flitton:

So sorry to hear of Neils passing. He was a great community man and was heavily involved in the Little Bow Project, which resulted in the canal to, and the refilling of Ckear Lake. Unfortunately I have Cataract Surgery on April 17th and so won't be able to attend the Service in Stavely. My condolences to all the Ohler families.

Gerry and Glenda Cutforth :

Elizabeth, children, grandchildren, Ray and Maxine and all the Ohler family, we are so sorry for your loss of Neil. We always enjoyed our chats with Neil and he had the best laugh. He always made you happy that you stopped and had that chat with him. We know he will be missed and please know our thoughts and prayers are with you, during this difficult time. Hold your wonderful memories close to your hearts.

Jack and Berniece Hall:

So sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to Elizabeth and families.

Marva-Jean Brown:

What a good man! So many years to have had him with you all. You'll miss him for awhile, (until we see him again), but I’m sure he’s having a wonderful reunion seeing those who have gone before him. Its’ hardest on us who miss them so much.

Jeannette Vegter:

My condolences to Elizabeth and the families. I grew up knowing the kindness and humor that both Neil and Elizabeth had especially when spending nights at the farm with Debbie. Both Neil and Elizabeth were very welcoming to everyone. I know Elizabeth and the families will miss him dearly but they know is is now watching over them and they will see him again.

Sheri Meyerhoffer:

My sincere condolences to the extended Ohler family and community.

Karin Nijenhuis:

Our condolences to Lana and her family. Hugs

Ken & June Magwood (Schlosser):

So sorry to hear of Neil's passing, he was such a wonderful man. Neil along with Elizabeth raised a warm and loving family. I have such good memories of our families being neighbours on the farm.

With sincere sympathy.

Ellen, Scott, Caitlyn, Austyn and Sutter Smith:

We were very sad to hear the news about Neil. Our family has known him for many years, through our relationship with Carol & Dan and their family. We will remember him as always smiling and welcoming us into the Ohler family circle. Our condolences and love go out to each of them. We know everyone will have a special memory and wonderful story to tell about him. He will be missed .

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