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Mabel Florence Anderson
1911-2004
Mabel Florence Anderson passed away on April 10 at Youville Home in St. Albert, Alta. at the age of 93 years.
She was born Feb. 1, 1911 in Grouard to Eliza Ward and Henri Giroux. She had five brothers: Clifford, John, Jimmy, Tom and Edmo; and two sisters, Clara and Irene.
Mabel married Walter Anderson in 1926. They had four children: Laura, Cecilia, Roy and Melva. They also raised two granddaughters, Gwen and Shannon. She had 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
Mabel and Walter started their life together at Buffalo Lake where Walter ran the Hudson's Bay Trading Post. They moved to several areas before settling in Kapown and then Grouard.
She was predeceased by her husband, Walter, and her children, Cecilia, Melva and Roy.
Left to cherish her memory are: her daughter, Laura Andrews; brothers Edmo Cardinal and Tom Cardinal and the granddaughters she raised, Gwen (Nolan) Crouse and Shannon (Pat) Powell. She also leaves grandchildren Marlene Chalifoux, Linda Chalifoux, Rita Jones, Mary Ireland, Karen Hagen, Lorna Gauthier, Peter Andrews and Joseph Gauthier; as well as many great-grandchildren.
Mabel was very talented in beadwork, sewing, knitting and quilting. Her work was always of the highest standard. She knitted socks, mittens, scarves and hats. Her beaded moccasins, mukluks, gloves and jackets were superbly crafted.
The funeral for Mabel was held Wednesday, April 14 at 2 p.m. from Oliver's Funeral Chapel in Grande Prairie with Father Gary Sedgwick officiating. Pallbeaers were grandchildren Curtis Crouse, Celina Crouse, Dalen Crouse, Ryan Powell, Christopher Powell and Travis Powell.
The eulogy was delivered by Leonard P. Anderson and the music was provided by Rocky Walker.
Interment followed in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Mabel will always be remembered and forever missed by all who knew and loved her.
Marcel Joseph Maisonneuve
1948 -2001
Marcel Joseph Maisonneuve passed away in Edmonton on Oct. 18 at the age of 53 years.
Marcel was born in McLennan and spent his childhood years in Donnelly and Guy. He attended the University of Alberta and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1969. He held the position of market analyst and production economist for Alberta Agriculture and operated a grain and oilseed farm near Guy for 23 years.
Marcel was named chairman of the Alberta Forage Seed Council and represented the farmers of the Smoky River Region on the board of the Alberta Canola Growers Association, which he was later elected president. He was awarded an honourary membership of Smoky Applied Research Development Association and was presented the Green Team Award from Alberta Agriculture in 1999.
Marcel published Farm Machinery Costs in 1972 and recently completed the Millennium Agriculture Historical and Statistical Profile.
Marcel was a steward and lover of the land. He was a humanist who loved his family and his friends deeply. He left the world a kinder, gentler place and will be missed dearly.
He leaves to mourn: his loving wife, Liliane Coutu; his loving children, Marc (Monique) and Joanne (Douglas), and his granddaughters Juliane and Natalie; his father, Paul Emile; his sisters, Sister Raymonde Maisonneuve C.S.C., and Vivianne Laliberte; his brothers, Bernard and Alain; and many members of the Maisonneuve and Coutu families.
He was predeceased by his mother Lilian Lever Maisonneuve.
Margaret Annie Rogne
1919 - 2004
Margaret Annie (Peggy) Rogne, a long time resident of Peace River, passed away Jan. 1 at the age of 84 years.
Peggy was born on April 22, 1919 in Calgary. Raised in southern Alberta, she graduated from the University of Alberta School of Nursing in 1940. Subsequent to her graduation, she attended the University of Toronto for advanced course work and returned to the University of Alberta Hospital to teach nursing.
In the late 1940s she joined the newly-formed Alberta Provincial District Nursing Service. As a provincial district nurse, Peggy provided primary health care to several northern Alberta communities in the Lesser Slave Lake area including Smith and Kinuso.
In 1965 she joined the Peace River Health Unit working in community health traveling extensively from High Prairie to Manning.
Before retiring in 1983 Peggy was deeply involved in the development of the home care service in the Peace River area. Four decades of service to the community continued into retirement as she was active with the crisis association, the local women's shelter, various research projects in public health matters and a lengthy list of other related endeavours. In retirement she also found time to be active with her church, learn to swim, learn to play pool and snooker, play some golf, travel and adore her grandchildren.
Peggy is survived by her sister Pat Wickett (William A.) of Penticton, B.C., daughter Mary Lou Vance (Cecil) of Grande Prairie, and sons Pat Rogne (Vaida) of Peace River and Neville Rogne of Aurora, Ont.
Peggy was predeceased by her parents, husband Gilbert Rogne, sister Jean Cordingley and brother Richard Wyld.
The funeral for Peggy was held Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church in Peace River with Sandra Tuson-Bell officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations to the Canadian Arthritis Society, Peace River SPCA or St. Paul's Untied Church in Peace Rive be made.
Margaret (Maggie) Lynn Heer
1945 - 2000
Margaret (Maggie) Lynn Heer, beloved wife of Ken Heer of Calgary, passed away at the Rockyview general hospital on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the age of 55 years.
Maggie, who was born in High Prairie on Oct. 2, 1945, and Ken married on Sept. 18, 1965. She was an avid gardener, and qualified master gardener which is shown by her yard in Somerset. Maggie was spiritual and practiced her own therapy, especially Reiki and spiritual response therapy.
Besides her loving husband, Maggie is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Suzanne Heer and Dan Stevens of Medicine Hat, Sheri-Lynne and Lyle Souter of Canmore, Alta. and Merrie-Ann Heer of Calgary; three grandchildren, Heather, David and Bryan Stevens; her father, Herb Marquardt; five sisters and two brothers-in-law, Carol Zerebski, Pat and John LaFlamme, Brenda Hanson, Debbie and Benji Buffalo, Lorelei Marquardt; and brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Yvonne Marquardt.
She was predeceased by her mother, Mary Marquardt.
A celebration of Maggie's life was held at McInnis and Holloway's Fish Creek Chapel, in Calgary, on Thursday, Oct. 19.
Marge Comeau
1945-2005
Marge Comeau was born in Edmonton June 24, 1945. She lived the first five years of her life in Driftpile until the family moved to Joussard.
Paul and Marge were married Dec. 27, 1961 and have always made Joussard their home. They raised three children: Delaine, Claudia and Blaine. They were a close-knit family and the children were well cared for and brought up in a very loving home.
Together, Marge and Paul were the nucleus for their quite large family. It was always a very warm experience to watch how caring and giving they were all to each other and how often the children and grandchildren would drop in just to be with Paul and Marge for no particular reason.
Marge was the mother hen who ruled the family roost. If she was annoyed with one of the family members, you might hear her describe them with a little less than her usual high esteem for them. Marge, however, was defensive of her loved ones and didn't take kindly to anyone else speaking poorly of someone in her family.
Eulogist Jerry Nessman says he met the family through work and it wasn't long before the Comeaus extended a visit into their home. At the time the family resided in what's referred to as the old house and the children were still quite small. Visiting with the Comeaus afterwards became a frequent occurrence and has continued for 37 years.
Visiting with the Comeaus always involved a lot of fun. There was never a dull moment as there were many interesting and enjoyable things to do together. Guests in Marge's home experienced a host like no other. Marge had a way of making everyone feel welcome. One of the highlights at the Comeaus were the excellent meals and treats Marge prepared. It was a given that she always had plenty of goodies on hand.
Marge, without a doubt, was the best cook ever. There was no such thing as a shortage of terrific meals in Marge's kitchen. There isn't probably anyone here, at one time or another, who hasn't dug into and couldn't resist getting stuffed by Marge's cooking.
The Comeau household was a generous one. Marge and Paul enjoyed company. There was always someone or several people dropping in and/or staying over. Water hauling, cooking and entertaining were constant occurrences to keep up with the flow of guests. Their home could be described as a no charge bed and breakfast.
Marge was a hard worker. She was always cleaning around the house. I was always cautious when I put something on her stove, as one would get an earful, if something got splattered on it and it was not cleaned up.
Marge was the anchor for her ever so large family. When it was time to organize family events, such as family reunions, wedding or special events, such as birthdays, nothing was ever done small. The bigger the better.
There were a lot of late nights at the Comeaus but Marge was always the first person up in the morning putting the coffee on, starting breakfast and organizing her household for yet another day for the overnight guests. Most definitely the pink rabbit could not hold a candle to her.
Marge enjoyed working in the yard with her flowers around the edge of their home. She shared the lawn cutting duties with Paul.
Marge was very active in the community, a member of the Joussard Community Association, helping and participating in events such as her favourite, ice fishing tournaments. Marge spent some time as the cook for the Wednesday senior suppers, as a cook for the Joussard Lunch Program as well as cooking for the walleye tournaments that are usually held in the summer. She was the bus driver for the Joussard School where she worked until her passing.
Marge truly loved to play cards. She especially liked to win. If she was having a losing streak you could tell because she would get agitated showing signs of impatience. Such as when some player would be dawdling and Marge would encourage them to get on with it saying, "C'mon, today!"
Similarly, she liked to play bean bags. If Marge was heckled, causing her not to do so well, she'd make it known to the heckler in no uncertain terms just how she felt about him.
One time Marge was out ice fishing when movement of the ice resulted in a loud crack. Everyone could feel the ice shudder beneath their feet. Marge, with a wild look in her eyes, dropped her fishing rod and started to run, but with no apparent destination in mind. Paul, who hadn't stirred from his bucket, looked up as she bolted and said, "Where do you think you're going?"
It's regretful that Marge, who still had so much to live for, passed so early in life. Marge would have reached her 60th birthday on June 24. We all have fond memories of the many happy times with Marge, our loved one and friend. Because she left this world doesn't mean we've lost her. We need to be thankful for the times when she brightened our lives. While we mourn the loss of Marge, it is equally important that we not forget to celebrate her life. God be with you until we meet again.
Marge will be greatly missed by many, both in and out of the community.
Marge is survived by those who loved her: her lifetime partner and husband, Paul; children Delaine (Gene) Hird of Slocan, B.C., Claudia Comeau and (Ron Matula) of High Prairie, and Blaine (Gloria) Comeau of Joussard; grandchildren Michelle Hird (Brent Tulloch), Rose and Andrea Hird, Lindsey Comeau and (Terri) Fjeld, Maxine, Teri and Brenton Comeau, and great-grandson, Dwight Tulloch; and stepchildren Mitchell and Jacob Matula; 12 siblings including Karen, Rhonda, Sandra, Candace, Charlie, Randy, Barry, Corrine, Sharon, Geraldine, Donna-May and Gary; mother-in-law Yvonnette Comeau; and many other family members and in-laws who were all very important in her life.
A memorial service for Marge was held at St. Anne Parish in Joussard Feb. 26 at 2 pm. With Rev. Virgilio Baratto O.M.I. officiating. The organist was Yvonnette Comeau, readers were Geraldine Anderson and Cheryl Beaudry and the eulogist was Jerry Nessman.
Honourary pallbeares were Michelle Hurd, Maxine Willier, Lindsey Comeau, Brenton Comeau, Teri Comeau, Andrea Hird, Rose Hird and Dwight Tulloch.
Marge's resting place is at the Joussard Catholic Cemetery.
Marguerite Giroux
1916-2004
Mrs. Marguerite Giroux, of Grouard, passed away in her sleep at the High Prairie hospital on July 4. Marguerite is survived by her husband Jean Giroux. Marguerite was born in Hudson Hope, British Columbia on September 20, 1916 to Jack Melville Thomas and Alice Hunter. In November, 1927, Marguerite's mother passed away and as the eldest of six children, Marguerite had to mature in a hurry. In January 1928, Marguerite and her siblings made the long trip by sleigh through the cold from Hudson Hope to Rolla, British Columbia, with their father. Here, the young family boarded the train that carried them to High Prairie where a friend of Marguerite's dad, Joe Paquette met the family and transported them to Grouard Mission in his Model T automobile. At Grouard, the Thomas children were taken in by the convent, where they were raised and obtained their primary education at the St. Bernard's Mission. Marguerite married Jean Baptiste Giroux of Slave Lake (Sawridge) in November 1935 and they continued to reside in Grouard for nearly 69 years, raising their own family of nine children. From an early age, Marguerite valued the need for a good education and encouraged and assisted both her siblings and her own children in obtaining a good education as a foundation for a solid future. Marguerite possessed a great deal of energy and took several children into the comfort of her home, feeding and raising them long before formal foster care programs were developed. Marguerite was always active in her community, helping to organize many events, fulfilling the role of returning officer at elections, assisting at church functions and she always seemed happiest when she was giving of herself. Funersal services were conducted at St. Bernard's Church at Grouard with Fr. Sebastian Kunnathuparambil officiating on July 8. Marguerite is survived by her husband Jean of Grouard, one brother Jim of Faust, and her children; Guy (Vonda) of Pincher Creek; Rose Marie Bellerose (Cecil), Edmonton; Leslie, Edmonton; Valerie Strudwick (Kent) of Medicine Hat; Joan Staples (Ken) of Lac La Biche; and Donna Alexander (Blaine) of Sherwood Park. Marguerite was predeceased by her daughter Arlene (five years) and her sons Thomas and Brian.
Larry Wayne Marshall
1947-2008
Larry Wayne Marshall, a long-time resident of Enilda, passed away Sept. 20 in High Prairie at the age of 61 years. Born to Dorothy and Murray Marshall April 24, 1947 in McAuley, Man., Larry spent his childhood and early adult life living and working on farms. After marrying and fathering six children, Larry moved to Estevan, Sask. and worked for Harold Rowe Construction for six years. He later divorced. In 1981, daughter Lisa was born. In 1983, he moved to McLennan where he worked at Falher Alfalfa Plant for close to a year. Larry took a job at Carwald Concrete as a truck driver in 1984 and moved to Enilda. Daughter Melody was born one year later in 1985. In December 2000, Larry married his longtime companion, Pearl St. Cyr. He remained at Carwald until he decided to start his own business called Larry’s Trucking, hauling vehicles for dealerships from Alberta to Manitoba. He also hauled for Triple G Trucking from British Columbia to Manitoba. After being diagnosed with cancer, Larry returned to Carwald which was eventually bought out by Reimer Foundations Ltd. He continued to work until Aug. 26, 2008. Never complaining, and thinking only of his loved ones, he remained in hospital and battled courageously until he passed in the early afternoon of Sept. 20. Larry is survived by: his wife Pearl; mother Dorothy; sister Trudy; brother Carey; children Les (Kim), Colleen (Bob), Dean (Yvonda), Delphine, Angela (Keith), Neil, Lisa, Melody; as well as 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Donations can respectfully be made to the High Prairie and District Palliative Care or the Canadian Cancer Society in Larry’s memory.
Gladys Vera Martin
? -2010
On Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, a good heart was silenced forever as Gladys Vera Martin passed away peacefully at the High Prairie Hospital, at the ag3e of 77 years.
Gladys is survived by: her loving son, ernie of High Prairie; and stepson Ed, of Grande Prairie.
She was predeceased by: her husband, ralph, in 1090; brothers Clarence, Earnie, and Melvin; sisters Pearl and Florence; and stepson Bill
Gladys touched a lot of people's lives over the years and will be greatly missed.
She enjoyed church, dining, drives, movies, gardening, doing fill-it-in puzzles or just sitting quietly and enjoying the beauty of nature.
A funeral service was held Friday, Oct. 1 in the High Prairie United Church at 11 a.m. with Rev. Sharon McRann officiating. Interment followed at the High Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association as an expression of one's sympathy.
Martin Stevens
1945 - 2001
Martin Stevens passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 4, 2001, at the High River hospital, after courageously enduring a battle with cancer at the age of 56 years.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Jean; two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Marla, Doug, Becky and Martin's soon to be born grandchild; his parents, Clarence and Phyllis; brothers, Melvin (Suzanne), Marvin (Susan), Lloyd (Marilyn); sisters Pat (Don), Penny, Susan (Rick); sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Dennis; Nancy Sweetland; and his numerous nieces and nephews to whom he was called "Uncle Marty". He will be fondly remembered by many friends and relatives.
After attending the University of Alberta and later SAIT, Martin decided to pursue a career in electronics engineering and technology. His first job was with Dresser Industries working off the coast of Newfoundland. Then with Dresser he worked in Calgary, Texas and the Arctic. His last job was with Telus where he worked until 1999.
Martin possessed an inquiring mind, was a devoted family man, gentle, hard working and honest. He never lost his sense of humour. We will remember him for his passion for life and all its challenges.
"To have lived well, laughed often and loved much;
To have gained the respect of intelligent man and the love of children;
To have filled a niche and accomplished a task;
To have left the world better by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
To have appreciated earth's beauty and not failed to express it;
To have looked for the best in others;
And to have given the best of yourself;
That is achievement."
- Robert Louis Stevenson.
Mary Shantz
1906-2002
Mary Shantz of High Prairie, Alberta, passed away on July 22, 2002 at the High Prairie Health Complex. Mary was 96 years old and lived in her own home till July 2. She was a resident of High Prairie for 74 years.
In 1928 Mary came to Canada from the village of Ruzdwiany in the western Ukraine to join her husband John who immigrated one year earlier. John was already working for the Northern Alberta Railways in Aggie, Alberta.
Their first home was a railway car. This was a good shelter compared to what many other homesteaders lived in. A short time later John signed in for a homestead and purchased it for a fee of $10. This land was in a good location, ½ mile from the railway tracks, where John continued to work and only 41/2 miles from High Prairie. They began to clear land and lived there for 30 years.
During these years John would take a three-month leave of absence in the winter from his job. They traveled to New York and Taylor, Pennsylvania to visit relatives and spend part of the winter there.
Mary was a great social person. Almost every weekend they attended a dance or concert in the near by halls or a house party. They loved to dance and danced well past their 60th wedding anniversary.
People and friends were her interest. In winter by 6:30 in the evening they would be off to someone's place to play cards or would have friends come over.
Summers were spent traveling in the area to visit and attend picnics. Mary had a strong community spirit. She cooked at weddings and at work bees, making pyrogies and cabbage rolls. It was noted that things wouldn't get rolling until she gave the orders. She also enjoyed someone helping her to make donuts, clean chickens, sew or whitewash the house. Her friend, Mrs Prockiw, was a consistent help to her, as she would walk for two miles to come and give her assistance.
John and Mary took many trips to Edmonton. The Northern Alberta Railways provided their workers with a free "pass" with which they could travel at any time. Mary would go to Edmonton every three months just to get her hair permed. She loved to shop and buy clothes well into her 90s. Shiney dresses, beaded sweaters were her taste in clothing.
During the years of Syl's Confectionary she would come to work everyday. She loved to stock shelves, police the kids from sneaking the three for one-cent jawbreakers and visit with many people. She'd come home at midnight to lock up with Syl as well as when he was away. Mary took the cash box home and became the manager.
Mary would invite people every birthday and never thought of herself as being old. She was a friend to call regardless of race or culture. She was respected by all and was called "Baba" by most. The great-grandchildren and grandchildren were a very dear part of her life and she enjoyed them thoroughly.
Mary was predeceased by her husband John. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Sylvester and Anne of High Prairie; grandson Derek and wife Maxine; great-grandson Nathaniel; great-granddaughter Christine of Grand Prairie; granddaughter Patricia and her husband Cliff Alexander, twin great-grandsons Cameron and Travis and great-grandson Jacob of Calgary; as well as several relatives in the Ukraine, Canada and the United States.
Lynne Mathieson
1948-2009
Lynne Margret Mathieson passed away peacefully in the High Prairie Hospital with her husband, Hugh, and daughter, Sheila, by her side on Sept. 10, 2009, at the age of 61 years.
Lynne was born May 1, 1948, and raised in Thunder Bay, Ont. She was the oldest daughter of Cyril and Lillian Graver.
Lynne loved life to the fullest. She loved seeing the world with her husband, Hugh, by traveling to places like Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and St. John, N.B. They then made the long journey to High Prairie, a place they would call home.
When Lynne was diagnosed with terminal cancer, it still did not stop her from fulfilling her dream of going to see the coast of British Columbia. The trip would be cut short due to her health and she had to go back to Alberta. It wasn’t until then that the doctors gave her a short time to live.
Lynne is survived by: her loving husband, Hugh Mathieson; her daughters Sheila, and Sharron (Paul) or Thunder Bay; her stepchildren Lori, Shane, Richard, Megan and Kristy (Jeremy), all of Regina, and Annalee (John) of Foxvalley; her loving grandchildren, Brenden, 14, Austin, 11, Ethan, 5, and Elliot, five months, of Thunder Bay; her older grandchildren, Austin, 11, Abby, 6, Kaeli, 2, and Sydney, five months, all of Regina; Cody, 12, Justin, 11, or Foxvalley; and she will be sadly missed by all her friends in her hometown of Thunder Bay.
She was predeceased by: her first husband, Stanley McChristie; oldest daughter Susan McChristie; and her parents, Cyril and Lillian Graver.
Lynne will always be remembered for the person who had a big heart and had a way of letting people in and helping those in need. She was loved deeply by her family and from everyone she met. She will be deeply missed and deeply loved by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
A private gathering for the family was held with a public service following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honour of Lynne Mathieson to the charity of one’s choice to Box 228, High Prairie, AB. as an expression of sympathy.
