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Elizabeth Gertrude Zimmerman
(May 10, 1921 - January 15, 2009)
ZIMMERMAN – Elizabeth Gertrude, formerly of Estevan, SK, passed away peacefully in Medicine Hat, AB on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the age of 87 years. Elizabeth Gertrude was born to Peter and Katherine Dies on May 10, 1921. After losing her own mom at a young age, Elizabeth prayed God would allow her to raise her own children. God certainly answered that prayer and Elizabeth’s family was very privileged to have had their mother watching over them during her 87 years on earth.
Elizabeth was raised on a farm and married a farmer, Jacob Zimmerman, on July 12, 1938. She was very familiar with hard work and long hours. There were plenty of chores—cows to milk; separators to wash; bread, pies, cakes, cookies and doughnuts to bake, gardens to plant and weed, meals to plan and cook, school and work lunches to prepare, floors to scrub and wax, clothes to sew, mend, wash, hang to dry and don’t forget all the ironing. In the midst of all, Elizabeth managed to lovingly raise four girls and four boys.
Her children and their spouses fondly remember Sunday being fried chicken day. Tuesday was going to town day. Jake and Elizabeth would take the extra eggs, chickens and fresh cream to sell to family and friends. The children getting off the bus that night, knew there were prepared fried hamburgers waiting for supper. Just this past Christmas, the family and grandchildren
reminisced about Grandma’s hamburgers and her having a big pot of chocolate on the stove every time they went to visit. That pot of chocolate came in handy for Friday lunches as all the children took chocolate sandwiches to school as, being brought up Catholic, meant no meat on Friday. Eventually that pot of chocolate became shreddy fudge which was her own secret recipe. One of Clara’s fondest memories when she came to visit at the farm, was mom’s insistence on sending back lots of fresh baking for her husband, Norm, left at home in Calgary.
Even with her busy schedule, Elizabeth still found time to enjoy her favorite pastime - music and dancing. She accompanied Jake to many local dances. When she had to stay home with the younger children, she taught them to dance, reinforced her favorite German words and made a huge basin (or in German schiesel) of popcorn. Elizabeth and Jake retired in Estevan in the fall of 1977 where they remained until 2004. After the passing of her husband, Elizabeth moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta. She moved into a one bedroom, assisted living facility.
Shortly after her arrival at Meadowlands Retirement Residence, the staff nicknamed her “Betty Boop” after the cartoon character with the same name.
Everyone enjoyed her quick wit and sense of humour. Betty always claimed she was named after Queen Elizabeth. She didn’t hesitate to make sure everyone knew she was the “Queen”. It was not uncommon for her to challenge others to a walker race or bring up her fists and ask if they wanted to fight. She so looked forward to the musical entertainment two to three times a week at the retirement home. She often danced with her daughters or stood with her walker and danced. Three days before her passing, was Hawaii night where she sang along to tunes like Tiny Bubbles, Aloe Ha He and Blue Hawaii. She enjoyed a tiny glass of Pina Colada decorated with a colorful umbrella. When the nurse came to administer her medication for the night, she jokingly asked Elizabeth if she had seen Mrs. Zimmerman. Betty responded by saying “She’s run away to Hawaii.” Everyone had a big laugh.
Her four daughters were fortunate to be at her bedside in her final days. A series of falls and complications took her life on earth but her strong spirit remains in the hearts of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Elizabeth once indicated her dream to dance professionally and we know she’s in heaven, doing just that!
Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Katherine Dies; husband Jacob Zimmerman; son Richard Zimmerman; grandson Brent and granddaughter Angela, as well as a sister and three brothers. She is survived by her loving family: seven children, Clara (Norm) Greenlaw of Calgary, AB, Jerome (Carol) Zimmerman of Estevan, Dominic (Verlie) Zimmerman of Lumby, B.C., Iris (Dave) Johnson of Calgary, Stan (Marilyn) Zimmerman of Estevan, Kathy (Bob) Kirkpatrick of Kenosee Lake, SK and Joanne (Gord) Waugh of Lampman, SK; daughter-in-law Beverley Zimmerman of Regina, SK; 24 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; in-laws, Iris Dies of Lethbridge, AB, Alma Dies of Red Deer, AB, Russell Dannatt of Lethbridge and Sheila Dies of Estevan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
PRAYERS will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. from the chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. FUNERAL MASS will be celebrated on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. from St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Estevan, by Rev. Joel Rama. Elizabeth will then be laid to rest beside her husband Jacob in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan. Those so wishing may make donations to the Medicine Hat Palliative Care Society, C/O 666 – 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 4H6, in Elizabeth’s memory. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.
Grace Doreen Johnston
(Oct. 19, 1929 - January 13, 2009)
JOHNSTON – Grace Doreen passed away January 13, 2009 with her family at her side. She was born at the farm near Arcola on October 19, 1929. Grace was predeceased by her parents Harold and Illa Worden and brother Jack. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Glenda and son Terry (Terry); grandchildren: Greg (Teresa), Jeremy (Carrie), Jill, and Chase; great grandchildren: Lane, Jordan, Cody, Shae-Lynne, Hannah, Chelsea, Miranda, Mason and Jaron; sisters: Donna (Doug) Watt, Calgary, Darlene (Willis) Carefoot, Glen Ewen, Gloria (John) Lees, Arcola and Maureen (Jim) Singleton, Arcola. Grace had a keen interest in what her grandchildren were learning and doing whether it was close to home or places far away. She held strong opinions on a variety of issues and loved a good discussion. Due to the cold weather a memorial service will be held in the Kisbey Recreation Centre on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Kathy Smith as officiant. In lieu of flowers and cards, the family requests that you please spend some special time with your family, friends and loved ones – they are what really matter. Donations may be made to Arcola-Carlyle Palliative Care Fund as tokens of remembrance. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Monica Dayman of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan (634-8233).
Marie Barsness
(Feb. 22, 1922 - January 11, 2009)
BARSNESS – On Sunday, January 11, 2009, Marie Barsness, late of Estevan, passed away in Estevan at the age of 86 years. Marie was predeceased by her husband David; parents John and Christina Meppelink; siblings: John Meppelink, Johanna VandeKrol, Stella Meppelink, Lena Meppelink and Susie Meppelink. She will be lovingly remembered by her family: son Don (Marla) Barsness of Garrison, North Dakota; daughter Marlene (Larry) Guttormson Minot, North Dakota; grandchildren: Cari Craig, Christa Bolen, Curtis Barsness, and Ryan Guttormson; Great grandchildren: Hannah Craig, Thomas Scott, Hailey Craig, Cameron Craig, Cassandra Craig; and her sister Jennie Williamson.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Church of God, Estevan, with Pastor Walter Engel officiating. Interment will follow in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan. Those so wishing may make donations to The Gideon’s International in memory of Marie Barsness. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Monica Dayman of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan (634-8233).
Terry Dale Vollans
(Dec. 14, 1953 - January 10, 2009)
VOLLANS – Terry Dale (1953 – 2009). Terry was born on December 14, 1953 and passed away unexpectedly near Estevan, SK on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the age of 55 years. Terry was predeceased by his brother, Walter and sister, Rhoda. He is survived by his two sons James Vollans of Estevan and Joe Vollans and his daughter Carol Wadsworth and grandson Tristen Wadsworth of Regina; his mother, Minnie Wanner of Estevan, his sister, Louise Muir of Penticton, BC and his brother, Ron Vollans of Estevan. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A Memorial Service for Terry will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. from Living Hope Community Church, 100 King Street, Estevan, with Pastor Scott Harrison officiating.Those so wishing may make donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Habitat For Humanity in Terry's memory. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Dustin Hall of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan (634-8233).
Russel Thompson
(Feb. 22, 1959 - February 9, 2009)
THOMPSON – On Monday, February 9, 2009, Russel Thompson passed away in Redvers, SK at the age of 49 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his mother Evelyn Wotherspoon and sisters, Michelle and Lynette.
A Memorial Service for Russel will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from Knox United Church, Redvers, with Rev. Cornelia van Bentum and Rev. Stan Fowke officiating. Those so wishing may make donations to the Llewelyn Cemetery
Fund, C/O Brian Jones, R.R. 1, Bangor, SK, S0A 0E0 in Russel’s memory. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Monica Dayman of Hall Funeral Services, Redvers (452-6020).
Antoinette Blezy
(March 25, 1922 - Died December 9, 2008)
BLEZY – Antoinette Imelda (1922 – 2008). Antoinette Blezy (nee Wolensky) passed away in Redvers, SK on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at the age of 86 years.
Antoinette will be sadly missed by her six children: Jocelyne (James) Lorette, Fertile, SK, Murielle Blezy, Summerland, B.C., Denis Blezy, Edmonton, AB, Suzanne Blezy, Laval, QC, Mariette (Brian) Arthur, Storthoaks, SK, and Joanne (Barry) Elliott, Carievale, SK; Her 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her two sisters, Simone Gaudet and Rose-Helene (Germain) Lefebvre; her brother Edmond (Rolande) Wolensky and sisters-in-law Marthe Wolensky and Marie Blezy.
Antoinette was predeceased by her husband Henri (April 1986); a granddaughter Jaylene Elliott (October 1981) and a great granddaughter Paisley Arthur (September 2008).
Antoinette, the second eldest of nine children, was born to Marie Sylvestre and Alexandre Wolensky in the Storthoaks district. The family belonged to the St. Anthony Parish of Storthoaks. In 1925, the family moved to the Antler district. She attended school in Bellegarde, boarding at the Sisters of the Cross Convent in wintertime.
On November 3, 1943, in a double wedding ceremony at the St. Maurice Church in Bellegarde, Antoinette married Henri Blezy and her sister Anne-Marie married Marcel Blezy. The two couples farmed the Marius Blezy homestead for five years. In the early spring of 1948, Henri and Antoinette moved to a farm north of Storthoaks. They retired to Redvers in 1977.
In January of 2003, Antoinette moved to the Heritage Lodge in Redvers. In August of the same year she was placed into long-term care and was happy to move back “home” to the Redvers Centennial Haven in May of 2004.
Mom was always busy. She devoted her time to the church and community. She loved and was loved by her family and many friends. Due to her illness, it was very difficult to see mom gradually change. We value that in the last months of her life we could communicate with her even though this was difficult for her. We will all miss her dearly.
PRAYERS will be held on Friday, December 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. and FUNERAL MASS will be celebrated on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. by Rev. Francis Hengen. Both services will be held from Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, Redvers. Interment will follow in St. Anthony R.C. Cemetery, Storthoaks. Those so wishing may make donations to the Redvers Centennial Haven Ladies’ Auxiliary or a Parish of your choice in Antoinette’s memory. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Monica Dayman of Hall Funeral Services, Redvers (452-6020).
