Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.
Hierath, Philip
It is with profound sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of PHILIP JOHN HIERATH on Monday, November 2, 2020. Phil was born on November 12, 1948 to Harold and Violet Hierath. He was raised on the family farm east of Milk River, where hard work and a love for the land were deeply instilled in him.
It is with profound sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of PHILIP JOHN HIERATH on Monday, November 2, 2020. Phil was born on November 12, 1948 to Harold and Violet Hierath. He was raised on the family farm east of Milk River, where hard work and a love for the land were deeply instilled in him.
It is difficult to summarize what a wonderful human being Phil was. There are moments when words fail to fully express feeling, and this is one of those times. Phil was a person with such integrity. He was so sincere, so genuine, and authentic in every way. He was extremely thoughtful and generous. If you mentioned that you needed something in passing, he would go out of his way to surprise you with it the next time he saw you. He had a strong sense of wit, and a unique sense of humour; he loved making others laugh. Phil was a great conversationalist. He was a wealth of knowledge, and with an innate ability to talk to anyone about anything, he made friends wherever he went.
In his youth, Phil enjoyed a variety of sports; curling, basketball, baseball, and volleyball were his favorites. After high school graduation, Phil went on to the University of Saskatchewan for one year, where he played volleyball, and then transferred to the University of Lethbridge for another year before returning to the family farm to work alongside his father.
Phil had a curious and adventurous heart, and often spent the winters of his younger years travelling around the world. He visited many countries and loved to tell stories about the times spent in Morocco, the Canary Islands, Spain, Germany, and Austria, to name a few. But the spring, summer and harvest seasons, he devoted himself to the land he loved so dearly. Farming wasn't just work for Phil, it was a passion and a labour of love. He was a registered seed grower since 1971, and always sought to be on the leading edge of advancements in agriculture. This led him to serve on many associations including the Southern Applied Research Association (SARA), the Winter Wheat Commission, and the Rural Electrification Association (REA), among others. Phil was also a dedicated member of his community and served many years with the Milk River Kinsmen Club, and Ag Society.
Phil loved working with his hands. He could build or fix anything; he was truly a jack of all trades. He was incredibly artistic and creative and had a passion for wood working, to which he honed his craft over many years. Phil was a part of the Milk River carving club, as well as the Lethbridge Woodworking Guild. His tables, masks, angels, and decoys are cherished by many friends and family. As much as he loved carving and creating, he loved sharing his work with loved ones even more.
Above all, Phil was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Spending time with his family and friends was the most important part of life for Phil. Many wonderful memories were made at the cabin with his family. He loved having the grandchildren down at the farm and taking them for combine and quad rides. Any time spent with family was well spent for Phil. He also valued his friendships and frequently checked in on his friends to reminisce about the past, or banter about politics. His yearly golf trips down to Mesquite with the guys were something he always looked forward to.
Phil will be forever cherished, honoured, and remembered by the love of his life, Wanda Hierath, his daughters Paige Hierath (Chase Barendregt) and Courtney Hierath (Andrew Krysak), his beloved grandchildren Blair and Theoren Barendregt, his sisters Lynne Brower and Kathy Russell (Burke), his brothers Mike Hierath (Caryl Sue) and Brian Hierath (Wendy), his sister-in-law Irena Woss, brother-in-law Walter Kiewszyn, his Aunts Gladys Strilchuk, Dorothy Thielen and Anne Thielen, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
May the relationships that he cultivated and the seeds of kindness that Phil sowed, flourish into a bountiful harvest of love forever in all of our hearts.
A Celebration of Phil's Life will be held at a later date.
Guestbook (23)
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Dear Wanda & family: So sorry to hear of Phil's passing. I hope all your wonderful memories with Phil will help you all through this very sad time. Take care Love to all.
Phil sounds like someone I'd have enjoyed. The Lethbridge Turners Guild is poorer without him.
Very sad
Condolences to all the Hierath family. May treasured memories sustain you through this difficult time.
Our deepest condolences to you, Wanda, Paige and Courtney. We are so sad about Phil's passing. We're still in shock. So many memories of our adventures together. I would have been making our semiannual phone call on his birthday. This was a tradition we did for dozens of years. He would phone me in April. I would phone him in November. We would talk about everything and get caught up. Family was the most frequent topic, and then mutual friends. Of course farming and politics would enter into the visit. The only thing missing, was that it wasn't done over a beer. We could reminisce forever about the time we spent together. Usually we would stop by the farm when we were in the area. I planned to do that this Fall when I was down there, but Phil was still harvesting. Phil was a great friend, and will be missed. I was blessed to be able to call him my friend. Take care- stay strong.
Our deepest condolences to you, Wanda, Paige and Courtney. We are so sad about Phil's passing. We're still in shock. So many memories of our adventures together. I would have been making our semiannual phone call on his birthday. This was a tradition we did for dozens of years. He would phone me in April. I would phone him in November. We would talk about everything and get caught up. Family was the most frequent topic, and then mutual friends. Of course farming and politics would enter into the visit. The only thing missing, was that it wasn't done over a beer. We could reminisce forever about the time we spent together. Usually we would stop by the farm when we were in the area. I planned to do that this Fall when I was down there, but Phil was still harvesting. Phil was a great friend, and will be missed. I was blessed to be able to call him my friend. Take care- stay strong.
We are so sorry to hear of Phil's recent passing. We think of him as a creative and intelligent man with an inquisitive nature, a love of his family and an interest in farming. Always a kind word and an offer to visit. Cam enjoyed Phil's company travelling to Ag Society and other meetings...always had broad ranging discussions. Janelle has fond memories of him in her first years of teaching as Paige's talented Dad...the man who created personalized treasure boxes for the kids to build during Dads' night at Kindergarten at Masinasin School. That box still sits on the shelf in our home office. Our thoughts are with you Wanda, Paige, Courtney and families.
My sincere condolences to your loss. Phil was a great guy. I had some wonderful conversations with him on many topics including carvings and sculpture. Such a genuine fellow. He will be missed.
Am so sorry for your loss! I have some wonderful memories of Phil especially our trip to England. Was such a wonderful man and loved by our family. My prayers to Wanda and family. He loved you all so dearly
Thinking of all of you
PHIL WAS A GREAT MAN. A GOOD SEED GROWER AND GRAIN PRODUCER. PHIL USE TO STOP BY AND VISIT WITH ME AT AG EXPO. GREAT TO HAVE KNOWN HIM. SAD FOR OUR LOSS. ED HOWELL.
So sorry to hear of Phil's passing, it was a shock. He will forever be remembered for his ability to stop and chat, always taking the time to see how you were doing and share how his day was going. He will be missed.
So sorry Wanda, Paige and Courtney for your loss. Phil was such a happy person every time I saw him. I have such great memories of whipping around in the dune buggy in the coulees as a little kid. He was right there always ready to have fun with us younger kids. He will be greatly missed.
What a guy, he only delivered an item for me, and we sat and visited for a couple of hours. Phil's knowledge of Europe was amazing. Will be sadly missed by all that knew him. God bless xx
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all and keeping you in our thoughts.
Wanda & family I was so saddened to read about Phil's passing. My sincerest condolences & prayers. A heartfelt hug Wanda ?
Our deepest sympathy Wanda, to you and your family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May your times shared be of comfort for you. God Bless. Deepest Sympathy.
Wanda and Families Thinking of you during this time of sadness and loss. I recall meeting Phil through Richard , brings back memories - sending warm thoughts ~~ Louanne
Wanda and family, I am sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you.
our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Phil was always good to see.
Our most sincere condolences to Wanda and family and the entire Hierath Families on the loss of one of my best friends as well. Will never forget Phils generosity as he shared his lathe and woodwork talents when we lived in that area. He was always patient, polite and down to earth honest. We travelled to Lethbridge several times to do lathe learning and had many a laugh even at each other. If I needed seed he would be there always or tell me go take what you need and weigh it as you go by the seed plant and the loaders full of gas drop a cheque off when you stop by for coffee next time you pass. No rush and he would trust you for life always out to help. Phil showed us how to carve cedar Mallards and now I will keep his that we made to remember him by. Oh the jokes we told and his quick chuckle will never be forgotten. Iam so glad to have met and cherished his friendship and been able to get a chance to gain a true friend who we will forever miss but never forget. RIP Phil you .were ONE OF THE BEST. Brendan and Wendy Harty and family.
Very sorry and surprised to hear the sad news of Phils passing. I have known Phil since 1956 as we were in the same grade in Masinasin school. I always enjoyed Phils wit and his way of making everyone in his presence feel of import no matter their status in life. Rest in Peace Phillip!!