Horst Heinz Zilch

Mr. Horst Zilch, beloved husband of Margaret Zilch, of Preeceville and formerly of the Endeavour District, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025. He was 82 years of age.   Horst Heinz Zilch was born May 20, 1943, to Heinz and Hildegard Zilch in Stargard, Germany. In 1954, Horst, along with the rest of his family, immigrated to Canada and made there home in Herbert, Sask. After Horst finished high school, he had different jobs here and there but decided that farming was his passion. He purchased land north of Morse, Sask. along with his parents and they made a go of it.  Then along came Margaret in January of 1980.  Things moved quickly and they were married in July of that same year. One year later in July of 1981 they welcomed their first boy, Thomas, and then in March of 1983 they welcomed their second son, Eric.  

Horst and Margaret then decided to purchase land and moved north to the Endeavour area where they farmed until 2005. The boys took over the land but Horst and Margaret spent more time on the two farms the boys had then they did in town for quite a few years after.

Horst also did many odd jobs here and there. One of the odd jobs that Horst especially enjoyed was working in the bush for Robert Geistlinger.

Cancer tried to knock Horst down in 2016, but he fought it and won and got close to another 10 years. Over the past 10 years Horst and Margaret went on trips to Europe and the Maritimes. Horst was diagnosed with cancer again in late June of 2025 and unfortunately the cancer or the treatments were just too much for him.

Horst was predeceased by his parents, Heinz and Hildegard Zilch; sister and brother Renate and Ernst in infancy; his sister, Gisela to cancer in 2005; his brother from another mother, Mervin Buchinski and his wife, Sharon.

Horst is survived by his loving wife, Margaret; his son, Thomas and his wife, Terri, and their two girls, Aspen and Eden; his son, Eric; sister, Helga and her three boys, Andrew, Jason and David.   

The Funeral Service was held on Monday, September 15, 2025, from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home with Pastor Hein Bertram of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Debbie Blender played the piano for the hymns “Beautiful Savior”, “Abide With Me”, and “How Great Thou Art”. Kathy Ambrose shared a tribute and words of remembrance. Interment followed at the Etomamie Valley Cemetery with James German, Robert Geistlinger, Andrew Wigg, David Wigg, Raymond Blender and Daniel Buchinski serving as casket bearers and Graham Buchinski as the honorary casket bearer.

Memorial donations may be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre as gifts of remembrance.

Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.