George Kress

George was predeceased by his parents: Daniel & Magdalena Kress. His siblings: Mary Hoffman, Anthony (in infancy), Piotta “Beaut” Deringer; Regina Knoll, Dan Kress. His in-laws: Martin Hoffman, Alex Runge, Adelard Boire, Joe Deringer, Wendell Knoll, Doreen Kress, Ken Baseden, George Heck.

George is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Lauretta (Benz); His siblings & inlaws: Magdalena Boire, Phyllis Baseden, Francis “Fran” Heck, John & Sonia Kress; His 4 children, 11 grandchildren and their spouses & 22 great grandchildren: Linda “Jessa” York: Clinton Schmidt, Nathan Schmidt (Presley, Lincoln), Callie & Colin Lewry (Renee, Abby, Justin, Ronan);Diana (Kurt) Fellinger: Tanner & Shaunda Fellinger (Jake, Ava), Laura & Noor Mitri (Zoe, Sami); Glenn (Dorena) Kress: Chantel & Cory Johnson (Jordyn, Jessi), Jonathan & Lex Kress (Smith, Peyton, baby on the way), Mark & Brittany Kress (Kadyn, Kinnon); George (Louise) Kress: Tristan & Kristin Kress (Connor, Taylor, Mackenzie, Anderson, Leighton, Parker), Chelsey Kress, Dallas Kress.George was born on a farm near Kendal on December 12th 1927 to Magdelena (Rink) and Daniel Kress. In 1947 he moved to Craik with his parents who owned and operated the Craik Hotel. In 1951 he married Lauretta Benz from Aylesbury on a cold day in January and they were inseparable for the next 67 years. In 1954, George & Lauretta moved to Kendal where they purchased a farm one mile north of town. After experiencing 7 years of drought, they sold the farm and purchased the Odessa Hotel in 1961. They operated the hotel for the next 36 years until they sold it and retired in 1997. While in Odessa, George served on the town council for 39 years as Overseer and Mayor. In 1962 the Odessa Recreation Association was formed and George was elected president in 1963. He held this position for 20 years and was instrumental in the construction of Odessa’s first indoor skating rink and the town’s swimming pool. In 1986, they built their retirement home in Odessa where they continued to be active residents of Odessa until they moved to Regina in 2011 to be closer to their growing family. George had an endearing personality. He loved socializing with people and was very generous and hospitable to all he met. Everyone who knew him or met him even once would have fond and most often funny memories of him, even many years later. He had a fantastic sense of humor and was known as a “jokester” who created a lot of gimmicks and one-liners. He was a great speech writer and story teller. He loved spending time outdoors, especially fishing and hunting with his friends, sons and grandsons. He was a very active community man who was devoted to Odessa for many years. He was an active curler for many years and was very fond of dogs and horses. George was a faith-filled man who loved the Lord. Attending Mass was a weekly priority. He was a 3rd degree “lifetime” member of the Knights of Columbus and sang in the church choir for many years. But most of all “Dad” was a great and proud family man who loved his wife and family dearly.