- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Mary Sadlier
(nee Siemens) (nee Burkholder)
1912 ~ 2012
Mary was born February 26, 1912. She was the seventh living child of Johann and Maria (Born) Siemens who lived at Krasnopol in the Ukraine (or Siberia as it was then known) . Mother’s parents had moved to Siberia in 1909.
Mary’s parents built a nice log house. Except for the kitchen, floors were of painted wood. The kitchen floor was clay and dirt. Walls and ceilings required lots of “elbow grease” to clean at spring time. The clay oven her father built in the kitchen area was large. Her mother and older siblings baked a lot of bread and special pastries for the family and the many visitors who stopped by. It was a great place to keep warm during winter months. Visitors were common since her father was a minister.
A number of events occurred the next fifteen years that would affect the course of Mother’s life and that of her family. On Mother’s third birthday, her mother passed away from complications of tuberculosis. That was February 26, 1915. Before her death, Maria suggested her father marry her sister Sara Born. When mother was thirteen the Bolshevik Revolution was in full swing. That was a period when evil spread like wildfire. Some mercy was shown to her family because of her father’s love, respect and willingness to hire Russians and to spread the gospel to all in the area. Unlike other places, the soldiers were ordered not to molest the girls. However, the family was ordered to bake for the soldiers and provide sleeping space. When the soldiers left, the horses were taken and little else left.
By the miracle of God’s people and His providence, the majority of the family left with “the shirts on their backs”. They travelled to Neudochna, then to Tatarsk, then to Antwerp, and from there by ship to Vera Cruz, then Mexico City and from there by train to a village near San Juan. Mother’s fourteenth birthday was celebrated on the ship on the way to America (1926) . Within a year her father passed away leaving the family with their step-mother. In 1928 the remaining family, minus the eldest brother, Hans, moved to Flowing Well, Saskatchewan where Mother attended the Herbert Bible School.
During the year of 1933-34, Mother moved to Lethbridge where she worked as a housekeeper for a doctor. Then she moved to Duchess where she worked for the Lauver family. There she met John Burkholder. They were married at Tofield November 7, 1935 and resided on a small farm which he purchased near Duchess. Then in 1944 the family moved to the Town of Duchess where her work as a housewife with three children kept her busy.
Dad passed away April 7, 1962. This left a large void in her life. However, she worked for a couple families at Brooks. She also worked at the Newbrook Lodge at Brooks. Then she moved to Clearbrook (1966) where she lived and worked at the Tabor Home. She also cared for her step-mother, Grandma Kliever. When Grandma passed away, Mother continued to live and work at Tabor Home. She assisted the home in various ways to make accommodations pleasant for its clients. She then became a resident of Tabor Home until she came back to Alberta.
An invitation to be part of the wedding party for her eldest grandchild, Timothy LaRochelle and Tammy Sadlier resulted in another important change. She met Philip Sadlier who was the other member of the wedding party and was a widower. The Lord’s will was sought and resulted in their marriage September 17, 1988 near Baytree, Alberta. She and Phil enjoyed travelling and visiting. Mother had the joy of being a continuous caregiver for Phil in his last two years at home. They had very good nine years together before the Lord took Phil home July 10, 1997. This also left a deep void. He left a legacy of humour, education and a good assortment of living skills.
Mother lived a full life. However, her view of her longevity was that she would likely not get past the age of thirty-five. In her youth she experienced the beauty of large gardens, orchards and fantastic baking in the Ukraine. In Canada she experienced care-giving, large canning projects, large gardens, cooking for three hungry children and a hard-working husband, and teaching her children how to survive in a changing world.
She taught her children to mend our own stockings, do embroidery, knit, and crochet. She also taught how to cook, iron clothes and do the weekly clean-up around the house. She was a good cook and baker. Her cooking and baking impressed youth groups and other special groups who were hosted by Dad and Mother. She cared deeply about the spiritual wellbeing of us children and reminded us frequently of that fact.
After Step-dad and Dad passed away, Mother lived in the house at Baytree for awhile, then moved to a small house near Edith’s place near Bonanza. When physical limitations caused difficulties in mobility, Mother moved to the lodge at Spirit River. At the end of May, 2011 she was moved to the Spirit River Continuing Care facility where she remained until her departure to heaven. She left us the evening of Saturday, February 11, 2012 approximately two weeks before her hundredth birthday.
Mary is survived by two half-sisters: Betty at Penticton, and Erna at Abbotsford. Her children Harvey and Darlene (Sitler) of Three Hills, Harold and Mary (Van Bergen) of Duchess, and Edith Larochelle of Bonanza are also surviving her. She is also survived by her step-children Jim and Kathi (Finney), Paul and Becky (Martin), Tim and Gloria (Van Corbach), Terry and Tom Fatherree, Joanne and Don (Pesterfield), Kathy (Krehbiel) and Sean (Hopkins) . She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and step-grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She loved them all. She was predeceased by four brothers (Hans, Henry, George, Cornelius), three sisters (Gertrude, Katherine, Helena), one half-sister (Sally), and one half-brother (David) .
She loved the wonderful staff at Pleasant View Lodge at Spirit River as well as the staff at the Continuing Care facility. She felt that the love and care was reciprocated. Now as she is at physical rest with a new life in heaven. She leaves many memories.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Bonanza Hall, Bonanza, Alberta, an interment followed in the Hillhaven Cemetery, in Bonanza, Alberta.
Patrick Louis Millsap
1924 ~ 2012
Pat a resident of Pouce Coupe, British Columbia,
passed away in Edmonton, Alberta,
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 87 years of age.
Pat was born August 16, 1924 in
Big Meadow, Alberta to Ross and Nelly Millsap.
A memorial service was held
Saturday, March 3, 2012 at
at the Royal Canadian Legion,
Pouce Coupe, British Columbia.
Edna Alvina Susanna Anderson
1913 ~ 2012
Edna passed away Friday, February 10, 2012
in Spirit River, Alberta, at 98 years of age.
She was born August 26, 1913 in
Herschel, Saskatchewan.
A Funeral service was held Friday, February 17, 2012 at Gordondale Community Hall, Gordondale, Alberta
Officiated by: Pastor Dave Brisbin
Eulogy ~ Darcy Frost
Organist ~ Vera Brisbin
Songs ~ Mennonite Choir
A private family iInterment followed in the Gordondale Community Cemetery, Gordondale, Alberta
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Edna,may be made
by way of donation to the
Palliative Care Unit – Central Peace Health Complex
5010 – 45 Avenue
Spirit River, Alberta T0H 3G0
RICHARD EDWARD HADLAND (DICK)
1924 ~ 2012
“Never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labour of man. When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore are the founders of civilization.” ………..Daniel Webster
Dick was born in Virden, Manitoba on February 22, 1924. After he had a brain hemorrhage in September 2010, he had not been able to communicate easily. He died in Dawson Creek
January 30, 2012.
In 1928, Dick moved from Woodnorth, Manitoba with his Father, Mother & 2 brothers (Austin and Roger) to Baldonnel, BC. This is where he grew up: going to school, playing hockey at the corner and working on the farm.
In 1938 he and Johnny Simpson stayed at Monica Storrs ’Abbey’ while they were attending High School in Fort St John.
In 1942 he attended Craigdarroch Castle (predecessor of the University of Victoria) for Senior Matriculation.
That summer he worked as a chainman for Duncan Cran BCLS, as they surveyed the road to the Beaton River Airport which was on the Northwest Staging Route during WW II.
In 1943, he enrolled at the Royal Roads Naval Officers’ Training School in Victoria. He was discharged due to a damaged eye and an old knee injury. Dick was particularly proud of his time at Royal Roads, and would have been very proud to have been able to serve his country during the war. He paid tribute to many of his friends who didn't return from overseas on his last trip to the college when Marion got her Masters degree at the same school. Needless to say Dick was very proud of her accomplishment.
In 1945 he was his brother Austin’s Best Man.
He attended the University of British Columbia, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1947. While attending there, he continued to play hockey, this time for the UBC Thunderbirds.
He loved farming and in 1947 he engaged in a family effort to develop the present day farm across the Beaton River. His father had purchased an Army Surplus TD 14 cat and a WD9 tractor and so Dick embarked on a lifelong venture to farm ‘across the Beaton’. Many enduring friendships were made during the development of the farm, including Don & Eva Kruse, Paul Stahlke and Herb Lindley. Herbie in particular, felt like the Hadlands were his family. He was always impressed with the co-operation and work ethic of the family. Recently he shared a telling story depicting the Hadland Family culture. He recounted on one occasion as the men left the dinner table one of the brothers undertook to tell him to do a certain job. The boy’s father halted the group and admonished them by saying that ‘in this house we do not tell, we only suggest’. I think this speaks volumes of how Dick developed his own family’s culture.
It was in 1947 that he met Arla and took her to a Halloween Dance at Baldonnel. He ended the party with appendicitis. After surgery Arla nursed Dick back to health. This was followed by their marriage in 1948. This marriage resulted in the birth of Terry in 1949, Randy in 1952 and Marion in 1957. This led to a busy period of farming and raising their children. Another family pattern mentioned was Dick’s flair for making good porridge. All the Hadland men do this.
A house was built in Dawson Creek in 1954/55 as Terry needed to go to school. A house on the farm was built in 1964. A grain elevator was added in 66/67 becoming a regional landmark.
Dick’s love of quality farm machinery led to his involvement and part-ownership of Wepsan Sales. This was an International Harvester and Toyota Dealership. Explains why he liked buying Toyota vehicles, including a RAV 4 in 2010.
He contributed to his community in many ways. Dick was President of the South Peace Seed Cleaning Co-op from 1970 – 1974, served on the Canadian Grain Commission in the mid 70’s and won First Place for the Best Grain Sheaves at the Dawson Creek Fall Fair in 1977.
He was active in supporting local Minor Hockey by being a coach and a Commissioner. Both Terry and Randy benefited from this volunteer work. When Randy and Doreen’s son Ti m was involved in Minor Hockey Grandpa paid close attention. He ‘knew’ when to phone Randy and Doreen’s to find out how Tim’s game went. Tim remembers one occasion when he excitedly told his grandpa that he had scored 5 goals and assisted on 4. His grandfather’s response was “You could have done better”.
This was an example of his attention to excellence.
He also helped with the first speed skating oval in Dawson Creek. This was during the days when ice preparation and snow clearing was all done by hand. Dick’s sons Terry and Randy participated in this sport. This is where Randy met his future wife Doreen. (Her father was also involved)
It should be noted that Dawson Creek was one of the birthplaces of Canadian Competitive Speed Skating. The family can be proud that Dick participated in these early beginnings of a National Sport.
Dick’s life changed with the passing of Arla in 1984. Together they had raised their family and developed a successful farm producing wheat, canola and certified Creeping Red Fescue. Thus began his phasing into retirement.
On February 2, 1985 he met Luella at a Groundhog Day Singles Dance in Fort St. John. They were married in 1986.
A trip to Expo 86 in Vancouver included Megan and Jenny.
He enjoyed travel and visiting with relatives old and new. On cruises to the South Pacific and the Panama Canal, he sought new sights in company with Luella. This last Cruise culminated in a cross Canada Rail Tour from Halifax to Vancouver.
With Luella’s encouragement Dick was actively engaged in the blending of his and her families. Both of Louella’s sons, Jeff and Steve were employed in the family farm and formed an attachment with Dick. In Luella’s words ‘Dick restored their faith in mankind by being a role model’.
Dick continued his support of his local community by clearing the sidewalks in the neighbourhood of his new home, with a snow blower.
He formed a strong attachment with both of Luella’s daughters, Jenny and Megan.
Grandchildren plus Great Grandchildren were now happening. He was very proud of all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dick and Luella took an active interest in the hockey careers of Grandsons Tim and Arlo.
When Annalei Florient (Randy & Doreen’s daughter) asked her daughter Molly about her favourite memory of GG she said: “He gave me love.” Even though few words were ever exchanged between Molly and GG, Love was present, when words were not. He always had a twinkle in his eye for his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren!
In the past year and a half, Dick had a life struggle in which he was lovingly supported by Luella and the whole of his blended family. He was recently the client of a speech therapist who was helping him with his speech.
Randy said Dick hated taking pills all his life. Luella recounts that he had to take many pills during his illness. She thought that if she explained the purpose of these pills that he would be more accepting. She said the first white pill was to reduce an itchy skin condition. His immediate response was “That pill does not do one damn bit of good.”
One of Dick’s last pleasures was having Luella drive him in the van to visit in the countryside. An unforgettable trip to visit Brother Austin in November 2010 caught Austin cutting trees up for his woodpile. Austin had just turned 90 and he was found using his brand new chain saw. Dick’s observation made to me later, the one word I heard him distinctly say: “Remarkable”.
His last trips were to Megan’s on Christmas Day 2011and to Taylor to celebrate his sister-in-law Evelyn’s 90th Birthday at the Annual Hadland/Hill get-together Boxing Day 2011.
His daughter Marion came up during his last days. On Saturday she fed him lasagne (his favourite) followed by pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream. This was totally appropriate for all the Hadland boys were well trained to love eating sweets and that characteristic has been embraced.
Dick passed away Monday January 30, 2012 at 87 years of age.
Dick had a long life well lived and was lovingly supported by his family.
It has been said that Dick was lucky to have been married to 2 wonderful women.
A Celebration of Life service was held Monday, February 6, 2012 at Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dick,
may be made by donation to the
‘Rotary Manor Care Facility’
1121 - 90th Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, V1G 5A3
or
‘Dawson Creek Minor Hockey Association’
PO Box 1032,Dawson Creek, British Columbia, V1G 4H9
