Anton Klettl
July 3rd, 1927 ~ July 12th, 2013
Toni's mighty heart stopped beating in the wee hours of July 12th. A tired heart that wrestled and battled Parkinson's disease in the later years of his life.
Toni was born in Neukirchen, Austria to Jose and Maria Klettl. He was the youngest of seven children and is survived by his older sister, Rosa. Toni had a extremely difficult childhood growing up in the Alps of Austria; poverty, the Depression were only some of the challenges. All paled in comparison when war broke out in Europe. At seventeen he was called up for the army and was the 6th Mountain Division, a commando style of unit and was involved in many horrific battles on the eastern front. Unimaginable fortitude and bravery in the field awarded him with 2 Iron Cross medals. He was wounded twice during the war. Toni's battles hardened heart then filled with extreme despair and misery for four years as a Russian prisoner in the mines of Siberia.
Toni Immigrated to Canada in 1952 and thankfully his heart; opened, thrived, flourished in his new country, with his wife Shirley by his side. Worked as a logger in various lumber camps across Canada and a powerman for the Trans Mountain Pipeline. Joined JNP's Warden Service in 1955 and is now considered a true pioneer in the field of mountain rescue, avalanche safety and conversation. He made many innovative and lasting contributions to JNP which have set the foundation for modern day's practises. His years as a backcountry warden in many remote areas of JNP were, "the best years of his life".
In 1985, Toni retired from the Warden Service and moved to Valemount with Shirley. His heart continued to be filled with happiness with retirement busy with new friends and activities. All through the decades, Toni kept on "whittling"; wood carvings of the animals he loved, these were much sought after and were sent around the world. Toni and Shirley had four children, Howie, Linda, Robbie and Loni. They were given an incredible, unique childhood and a fierce addiction of open space, peace and wilderness. Toni lost Shirley to cancer in 2000. Much light left his eyes and grief drained his body and soul.
Toni's heart is now silent; the end of an era... the start of a legacy. The memorials and stories continue...
Celebration of Toni's life will be in October..
To send condolences or share a memory or tribute, please visit our website at www.edsonfuneralhome.com
The Foothills Memorial Chapel
“Serving West Central Alberta for more than 63 years”