Those who mourn

Obituary

Louise “Ella” Schneider

June 15, 1936 -March 11, 2023

Louise was born on June 15, 1936 to parents Fred and Thelma McCall in Drumright, Oklahoma. The family moved out to California where they lived in several homes that her father was building. In her early teenage years her family moved to Anchorage, Alaska. It was at a Bible Study she first met the man to whom she was to marry. He was a young airman, named Lee Schneider, from the nearby Air Force Base and he was the one leading the Bible Study. They both left Alaska to attend Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana and it was there, on November 28, 1957, they were married. Shortly thereafter they moved out to California where he attended San Jose State College. After college, she agreed with his desire to go to seminary. In 1966, after four years of instruction at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, he was ordained. She was officially a pastor’s wife. The first parish they were to serve (from 1966-67) was the village of Meeting Creek, Alberta. Louise dealt with major culture shock in that move. Moving from the big cities of California to a small village in rural Alberta with a population of approximately 70 people, and on the day of arrival, somebody’s cattle had got loose and were grazing on Main Street! Subsequent parishes they served were in High River (from 1967-72) and Westlock (from 1972-77) in Alberta, Vancouver, British Columbia (from 1977-88), and finally in Ross, Minnesota (1989-94). Through it all Louise was the consummate pastor’s wife but, more importantly was the ever-loving and supporting helpmate to her husband. Upon retirement from the ministry, they moved to Davidson, Saskatchewan (1994-2000) where their oldest son (now a Lutheran minister himself) served a parish. In the year 2000, they moved to Sundre, Alberta and lived comfortably until Lee’s sudden death on October 22, 2007. Louise continued to live in their home until she and the family agreed it would be better if she moved into a seniors-oriented facility. In 2016, with her oldest son accepting a call to serve a parish in Wetaskiwin, Louise moved up into the Sunrise Care Home (now Seasons) in the same city. As her needs became more acute, she was then moved into the Points West (now Sagebrush) seniors’ facility. Louise passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023, with her eldest son and daughter-in-law at her side.

Louise is lovingly remembered by sons Fred Schneider (Joyce), Lee M Schneider, Jeff Schneider (Liz) and daughter Michelle Bixby (Chuck) as well as her daughter in law Brenda. Her grandchildren Joel, Joshua (Lin Lin), Jonathan, Heather (Luke), Amy, Chris (Hannah), Melissa (Pierce), Rachel (Nathan), Kasia (Kyle), Jessica, and Jake. Her great grandchildren Lily, Sean, Dominik, Jonas, Simon, Micah, and Audrey.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 2 PM St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The funeral will also be livestreamed via the Church’s website at https://olds-lutheran.ca/livestream/

A recording of service is available for here: (Passcode: 3F5+pz3X)

Obituary

Clifford “Cliff” Sumlak

Maty 3, 1931 – January 28, 2023

It is with sadness that we share the passing of our dear brother, Clifford Sumlak. Cliff passed away peacefully at the age of 91. As a congregation, we offer our condolences to all who mourn.

A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Olds, Alberta, on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 1 pm. The family invites all in attendance to a luncheon after the service in the church fellowship hall.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is located at 5022 52 Street, Olds, AB. There is ample free parking in the lot adjacent to the church building.

Obituary

Lori Ann Malmo

June 30, 1955 – January 6, 2023

Lori Ann Malmo of Olds, Alberta passed away on the 6th of January, 2023 in the Calgary Foothills Hospital after a short illness.  Lori was born in Camrose, Alberta on the 30th of June, 1955 to Doris and Roy Malmo. She was raised in New Norway, Alberta until the age of ten, when her family moved to Olds.

It was in Olds where her propensity to take care of others first manifested itself at the tender age of ten in the attention she paid to her baby sister, Joan. Caretaking was part of Lori’s nature, and was to become a central theme in her life.

On graduation from Olds High School, she married, Donald Grant and moved to a farm West of Olds. There they raised three sons; when asked about the size of her family, she would quip, “Three boys are better than four boys.”

She played a key role in their farming life: there were the Thanksgiving turkey dinners she ferried to the fields, the driving of combines, the rounding up of cows, the running to town for parts, the planting and harvesting the fruits of a large garden, and the helping of the boys with their 4-H, baseball and hockey endeavours.

Her kitchen table became the focal point for the extended Grant and Malmo families as they celebrated birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, baptisms, and other family get-togethers over the years.

Lori was an expert curler and a less expert, but enthusiastic golfer.

After the boys left home, Lori returned to school – this time to Red Deer College – to obtain a Teacher Assistant Certificate. This launched her career as an Educational Assistant at the Olds Elementary School where she worked for 20 years.

Recently, Lori took sterling care of her elderly parents, Roy, who died in August 2021 at 103, and Doris who died in July 2022 at 92.

Lori is survived by her three sons, Aaron (Jody) of Olds, Richard (Kimberley) of Toronto, and David of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She is also survived by her brother, Doug Malmo (Diane), her sisters, Gail Malmo (Jack), Elaine Weisse (Warren), and Joan Heemeryck (Curtis). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Asher, Alyvia, Evan, and Cooper, and 10 nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held on Monday, January 16th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Olds Lutheran Church with Pastor Olav Traa officiating. The funeral will also be livestreamed via the Church’s website at https://olds-lutheran.ca/ A recording of service will be available for later viewing.

Memorial donations if desired may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Olds, Alberta.

Obituary

William (Bill) Pollock

July 23, 1934 – November 8, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William (Bill) James Pollock (88). William passed away peacefully on November 8, 2022, in Olds, AB.

Bill was born on July 23, 1934, in Wolseley, SK. He met the love of his life, Lorraine, in 1956. They were married in Calgary, AB, on April 27, 1957, and had four children, Terry, Brenda, Deborah and Darryl.

Bill’s pastimes included camping and travelling the world with Lorraine, curling, bowling, shuffleboard, fishing, golfing and working in his wood shop.

Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lorraine; his four children, Terry (Wayne), Brenda (Larry), Deborah (Dan), and Darryl (Diane); six grandchildren, Christopher, Deanna, Kaylyn, Leanne, Kelsey, Shayna; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Mervin and sister Marjorie and many nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Bill’s wishes, a private family service will be held on November 16, 2022. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Olds, Alberta. In keeping with Bill’s love for coffee, enjoy a cup in his remembrance.

Obituary

Ruth Elizabeth Paton (née Bay)

June 27, 1939 – Oct 17, 2022

Ruth passed away peacefully on October 17, 2022 in the Olds Hospital at age of 83 years.

She was born in Innisfail, AB on June 27, 1939 to Karl and Freda Bay at Vale View District which is now part of Eagle Hill. Ruth was the 3rd child, a sister to Fred and Hilda. She attended Vale View School to grade 9 and then went to Lindsay Thurber Comp in Red Deer.

She met Donald Paton and they were married in 1957. To this union 5 children were born, Lyle, Joyce, Orval, Louise, and Michelle. Ruth lived her entire life in the Eagle Hill community.

She loved to garden and grow flowers, which were her pride and joy. She also enjoyed cross stich, beading and making beautiful necklaces. She was a 45-year member of The Mary Riley Woman’s Institute.

Ruth was always there to lend a helping hand, if it was chores, running the combine or just your every day work – you could always rely on her. Ruth is predeceased by her parents Karl and Freda Bay; sister Hilda. She is survived by her husband of 65 years Donald; son Lyle (Debbie) Paton; daughter Joyce, Louise and Michelle (John); son Orval; grand children Melonie (Jason), Amanda (Trevor), Kristy(Matthew), Jennifer; great – grandchildren Sam, Charles, Izzabelle, Hayden and Gunner.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Olds. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or to S.T.A.R.S. Air Ambulance.

OBITUARY

Doris Louise Malmo (née Radke)

Aug 8, 1929 – July 25, 2022

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of our mother, Doris Louise Malmo (née Radke) on Monday, July 25th, 2022 at Olds Hospital.

Doris was born in Bashaw, Alberta to August and Lydia Radke. She grew up on a farm near Bashaw with her two brothers, Norman and John.

She met the love of her life, Roy Malmo in New Norway, Alberta. They married on September 12th, 1948 and celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in 2020.

Roy and Doris moved from New Norway to Olds, Alberta in 1965. There they created a loving home on a street full of families and kids. Mom gardened, cooked, baked, sewed, volunteered, and worked as a florist with Central Alberta Florists. Her volunteer activities included over fifty years of service with both St Paul’s Church Women and the Olds Hospital Auxiliary.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Lydia and August, her two brothers John and Norman and their wives, Lois and Doris, her husband Roy, and sixteen in-laws from the Malmo side.

Doris is survived by her five children, Doug Malmo of Spruce Grove (Diane), Gail Malmo of Sidney BC (Jack), Lori Malmo of Olds, Elaine Weisse of Rumsey (Warren), and Joan Heemeryck of Olds (Curtis).

She leaves twelve loving grandchildren: Aaron, Richard and David Grant, Karen Unterschultz, Eric and Paul Weisse, Christopher and Julia Malmo-Laycock, Shaun Malmo, Laura Mahe, and Kristin and Megan Heemeryck. She also leaves nineteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial service to be held at St Paul’s Lutheran Church on Tuesday, August 9th, at 2:00 p.m. If desired, memorial donations may be made to St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5022 52nd Street, Olds, T4H 1G9, or the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The funeral live stream will be available at the following link:

https://www.golivestream.ca/livestream.html


OBITUARY

Irene Ruth Scheunert

April 21, 1935 – July 7, 2022

Irene SheunertIrene Ruth Scheunert,  87, of Olds AB,  passed away peacefully  July 7, 2022 with family at her side.

Irene was born April 21, 1935 in Didsbury, AB to Bessie and Thomas Hunt . She was the youngest of 5 children, 1 brother and 3 sisters.

Irene married Raymond A Scheunert December 30, 1952 in Trochu AB where they raised their 5 children. Irene was predeceased by her husband, Raymond on July 23, 1990 and their son Gerald on August 23, 2009.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Marjorie Hovan (Patrick), Lindsay Hovan and James Alato; Jared Hovan (Nina) and Irene’s 3 great grandsons – Connor, Jackson and Austin; Roxanne Hovan and her fiancé, Fred Palmer; Franklin Scheunert (Sherry); Ernest Scheunert (Marjorie), Shannon, Brandon; Carl Scheunert (Tanya) Jesse, Luke, Allison, and Dylan. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.

Irene retired from North Western Utilities and moved to Olds AB in 1993 to be closer to family. She was an avid reader and gardener. She loved to sew and travel the back roads of Alberta. Irene was involved in her community through St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kiwanis Music Festival, Special Victims Services and the Olds Legion.

Most of all, Irene loved to watch her grandchildren in hockey, baseball, judo, dance, gymnastics and music.

Memorial Donations may be made to St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5022 52 Street Olds, AB T4H 1G9 or STARS.

Funeral Services will be held at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Olds at 2pm on Monday, August 1, 2022 with Pastor Olav Traa officiating.


OBITUARY

Adam Jacob Wittal

September 12, 1924 – April 3, 2020

Adam passed peacefully at home in Didsbury, at the age of 95. Adam was born on September 12, 1924 in Elbourne, Saskatchewan to Friedrich and Maria (Hodel) Wittal, the sixth of fourteen children. 

Wittal, Adam - ObitAdam is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Linda; and their four sons, Randy (Jan) of Coaldale, AB, Brian (Kim) of Didsbury, AB, Greg (Lori) of Castlegar, BC, Shawn (Dayna) of Ponoka, AB; and their daughter, Lawana (Steph) of Killaloe, ON; as well as eleven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.  He is also survived by one brother, Philip of Regina; two sisters, Annie Schmidt of Southey, SK and Edie Hastie of Cathedral City, CA; and sister-in-law, Penny Wittal of Regina; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  He was predeceased by infant daughter, Kathy in 1959 as well as his parents; seven brothers; and three sisters.

Adam grew up with a large, extended family nearby where they celebrated all special occasions with aunts, uncles and cousins.  The love of family gatherings is something he has passed onto his children and grandchildren.  He went to Stoney Ridge School and was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in the Serath-Elbourne district of Saskatchewan.

As a boy Adam loved being outdoors with the farm animals, especially the horses.  He spent time trapping, hunting and fishing.  As a young man he worked hard but also found time to enjoy playing fastball, hanging at the pool hall, going to movies and dances and later became a curler and a golfer.  Throughout his life, every visit with family and friends included card games.

In 1946 his family moved to the farm one mile west of Strasbourg.  In October of 1958 Adam married the love of his life, Linda (Frischke).  They lived and worked in Regina until the spring of 1959, when they moved to the farm at Strasbourg.   Adam and Linda bought the farm from his parents and this is where they raised their five children.

Those were very busy and happy years and Adam was involved in all the sports (hockey, ball, curling) and other activities that their kids were involved with.  In 1965 they bought a station wagon and with curtains and mattresses it became a “camper” and they went on many adventures; across western Canada and into the United States, including Yellowstone and southern California where Adam’s sister and her family lived.

Adam spent many hours volunteering in the community, in the Lions Club and the church, as well as helping out friends and neighbours.   He also enjoyed many years working for his friend Rinehold Hubick at farm auction sales.

In 1980, after struggling financially, they sold their farm land and kept the yard as an acreage.  In 1984 Adam started his second career when they bought a small hunting and fishing lodge in the Porcupine Hills on the Saskatchewan / Manitoba border at Townsend Lake.  The lodge had not been used since a large forest fire had swept through the area in 1980. There was lots of hard work and building ahead of them.  Moose Range Lodge became a favorite destination for all of their families and friends and they were blessed to make many new friends in the area.  In 1998 they sold the lodge and retired to Strasbourg, for a short time.

In 2006, Adam decided he still wanted “something to do” so they applied for the job of managing the Rosebud Valley Campground in Didsbury, AB and at the age of 82, in March of 2007, they moved to Alberta and he started his new job.

Adam overcame many health problems and several accidents in his lifetime.  He was a thirty year prostate cancer survivor and a ten year cardiac arrest survivor.  During the past two years there had been many hospital stays and in October of 2019, after several weeks in the hospital and a diagnosis of “end stage COPD and heart disease” Adam was able to come home for “in-home palliative care”.

Adam was so grateful for the wonderful Home Care team that provided support for himself and Linda and very thankful to be at home when the Covid pandemic was announced, rather than in long-term care.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations in Adam’s name may be made to Canadian Lutheran World Relief, 302 – 393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 3H6, www.clwr.org.