Tobler – Mary Tobler passed away in Brooks on March 14, 2024 at the age of 99 years. Mary was born at Medicine Hat, Alberta on July 13, 1924 to Ralph and Pauline (Bannard) Rathgeber, the 10th child of a family of twelve. The family moved to the Wenham Valley area west of Wetaskiwin when Mary was 2 years old. Mary went to school at Wenham Valley until she completed grade 8, then went out to work at age 14 doing housekeeping and cooking jobs at sawmills and homes in the area. At the age of 16 Mary set out to look for her older brother, Ralph, who was working in the Jenner area. She spent a few years at Jenner, Medicine Hat and Brooks area working in factories, restaurants and coffee shops. During this time she met a local cowboy named Alf Tobler. After a brief courtship they were married on July 8, 1946. By this time Alf had secured a job as pasture rider for the newly formed Patricia Community Grazing pasture. In January of 1948 they began their family of 3 boys, Larry, Doug and Wade as well as purchased a farm in the Patricia area. Mary and Alf lived on this farm from 1948 to 2015 when Alf passed and Mary moved to Newbrook Lodge in Brooks. In 2020 she moved to Orchard Manor and in 2024 Mary moved to Sunrise Gardens. Mary is predeceased by her parents and 11 siblings as well as her husband Alf and her son Larry. She is survived by her two sons, Doug (Vivian) Tobler and Wade (Frances) Tobler; six grandchildren, Bradley (Robin) Tobler, Jodi (John) Pisarewski, Dalamie Tobler, Christina (Mark) Franke, Rae Tobler (Dan) and Cassie (Matt) McBean as well as 12 great grandchildren, Ashton Tobler, Aiden Tobler, Nash Tobler, Shae-Lyn Pisarewski, Katie Pisarewski, Caleb Ryall, Colton Ryall, Braden Ryall, Declan Frazer, Alexis Frazer, Mason Frazer and Taylor Frazer. Funeral services for Mary will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooks, AB on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Interment to follow at Brooks Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD.
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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