Vera Rose Schwartzkopf of Coalhurst, beloved wife of the late Bert Schwartzkopf Jr., passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the age of 84 years. Vera was born in Poland on October 3, 1939, the only child of Marion and Pauline Pelech who immigrated to the Coalhurst area from the Ukraine in 1949.   Vera attended Coalhurst School where she completed Grade 12.  She was an excellent student and was active in the local 4-H club where her love of gardening first began. During high school, Vera met the love of her life (Bert Schwartzkopf Jr.) and they were  married in Lethbridge on September 10, 1960. Vera and Bert made their home on the Schwartzkopf family farm just outside of Coalhurst where they first grew sugar beets and managed a small cow/calf operation.  Their eldest daughter Laurie was born in the spring of 1961, their second daughter Karen in 1964 and their youngest child Brian was born in 1971.  Vera was a hard working dedicated wife and mother that selflessly and tirelessly supported all activities of the farm.  Together Bert and Vera  expanded their operation along with the help of both of their parents to include a 10,000 head feedlot that they owned and operated along with Brian up to present day.  They continued to farm even though Bert was diagnosed with MS and Vera took care of him in their home until his passing. Vera was also a caring grandmother that helped raise her grandchildren and encouraged them in all their endeavors. She was well known for her love of cooking and you could never come into her home without having some food, even if you didn’t want it.  In addition to cooking, Vera was an avid and passionate gardener. There was never an empty flower pot or patch of soil around her home that did not have cascades of multi colored flowers or vegetables.  Her kind and generous spirit, persistence and feisty and mischievous personality will be missed by all who knew her.

Besides her loving children, Vera is survived by eight grandchildren Jordan, Brandon  and Wyatt Baker (sons of Laurie (Schwartzkopf) and Brant Baker); Ryan and Amanda Genswein  (son and daughter of Dr. Karen (Schwartzkopf) and Bernie Genswein); Braiden, Emily and Zofia Schwartzkopf  (son and daughters of Brain Schwartzkopf and Crystal Fulford) and 3 great grandchild Everly and Aroura Baker (daughter of Jordan and Raelyn Baker) and Weston Baker (son of Brandon and Kelsey Baker). Vera was predeceased by her parents and Aunt (Donna Pelech) and survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service that will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta. To watch the service via livestream, please visit https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Vera-Schwartzkopf and scroll to the bottom of the obituary page to find the link.