Obituary of Alvira Annie Boschmann

March 7, 1942 – Rosemary, Alberta

November 11, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Alvira Boschmann (nee Loewen), beloved wife of David Boschmann, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the age of 82 years.

She was born on March 7, 1942, in Rosemary, AB. She was the only daughter among George and Susie Loewen's four children. Alvira was their second child, being predeceased by Georgie who passed away October 31, 2013, in Brooks, AB, and their third child, Irwin, who passed away August 31, 2004, in Calgary. Their fourth child, Daniel, currently resides near Rosemary on the family farm with his wife, Margaret.

Alvira’s parents, George and Susie, both born in Russia, arrived in the land of opportunity during their early years. The family’s first home was a small two-room house. After six years, the occupants included three children and two parents. George and Susie worked hard to build the farm, with the kids jumping in where they could. That included Georgie, the oldest, regardless of his disability, spending days at a time in the fields. Alvira was driving a tractor on the family farm by age six (in exchange for the dresses of her choice). She was driving a car by age thirteen.

She was a good student. In Grade 10, Elaine Nixon became her lifelong friend. Alvira spent a lot of time at the local curling and hockey rinks, mainly because of an ice man by the name of David Boschmann. But she was spending too much time with David and was sent to a boarding school in Rosthern, SK, to finish Grades 11 and 12.

After high school, Alvira returned to Rosemary, marrying David Henry Boschmann on August 21, 1960. They had three boys, Michael (1961), Patrick (1962), and Kim (1967). They farmed in the Rosemary area for a time before moving to Calgary, a year before Kim was born.

Alvira and David spent twelve years in Calgary, David working various jobs before starting his own business. Alvira studied for two years at the University of Calgary, putting three boys through school while maintaining the family home. She also taught nursery school, helping David where she could. David missed two years of work because of his injured back. Alvira credited her success to David’s unwavering support, and to her mother’s encouraging desire to see her have an education.

The family then moved back to the farm in Rosemary. Alvira continued her education, driving to Lethbridge, AB, in the evenings and during summers, eventually completing a total of six years of university. During that time, she earned a Bachelor of Education, an Early Childhood Diploma, a Special Education Diploma, and started her Masters program. David and Alvira helped to put all their children through college.

Alvira taught special needs students (Grades 7-12) in Rosemary and Duchess. She later became the Special Needs Coordinator for the entire Grasslands School Division, covering six schools and five Hutterite colonies.

She continued her involvement in various church ministries and community services following her retirement from education. David and Alvira were living in Evergreen Park in Brooks, AB, when David had a stroke in 2018. The two then moved to the Masterpiece retirement facility in Medicine Hat, AB, in 2019, just in time to be locked down there for nearly a year during COVID. They returned to Evergreen Park for one more year, opting out of the retirement home lifestyle for the time being. They moved into an apartment in Calgary in 2022. Alvira passed away on Remembrance Day in Calgary, following a brief illness.

Alvira is survived by her husband David, her children, and her brother Daniel.

Funeral Services will be held at South Gate Alliance (1436 James Mckevitt Rd SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the hall at the church.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Alvira’s family here.

In living memory of Alvira Boschmann, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.