Obituary of Eva Schneider

SCHNEIDER - Eva Mary Schneider passed away at the Lloydminster Hospital on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at the age of 97 years. Eva was the last surviving child of William and Eva Specht's family of 12 children from the Rosenheim District, south of Provost. The Prayer Vigil for Eva was conducted from the St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. with Father Arun Rodrigues officiating. The St. Anthony's Senior Choir was in attendance. The Mass of Christian Burial was conducted from St. Columba Roman Catholic Church, Clandonald, Alberta on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with Father Roger Rouleau officiating and Father John Hesse co-celebrating. The musicians were Lorna Garnier and Geralyn McCormack. The pallbearers were Eva's grandchildren. Interment was held in the Clandonald Cemetery followed by a reception at the Clandonald Community Hall. Donations in memory of Eva may be made to Clandonald Cemetery Fund or to the charity of your choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy (by Kerry Wheler) Eva Specht was born October 7, 1917. She and her siblings were raised on the farm that her mother and father, Eva & William, homesteaded in 1906. She could recall stories from the early days with such clarity--- the horse drawn sleigh that would take them to school, the annual trips to pick saskatoons carrying empty Roger's Golden Syrup cans, the thrill of going to town with her Dad and having a few cents to spend: some for the show and the rest for a treat. She also loved to share the story of her father's father who, after his wife passed away, entrusted the care of their children to friends and family. He left for many years and eventually found his children who now had families of their own. Eva remembered being held by her grandfather, likely one of her earliest memories since he passed away when she was only 2 years old. Grandma taught herself how to play the piano, saying that she was happier to play music than play with dolls. She played the organ at mass as a girl at the beautiful Neo-Gothic style church at Rosenheim her parents helped construct, and continued her studies when she attended a boarding school in Leipzig, Saskatchewan for grades 10-12. The Specht family lived 2 miles from the Schneider family. Henry was 9 years older than her and she told me once that she used to find him pretty annoying. His older brother, Lawrence, married her older sister, Leona. When Henry started to pay Eva special attention at schoolhouse dances, she would decline his invitations to dance. I remember asking her, "well, what changed, Grandma?" and she said, "well, I guess it just didn't bother me anymore." She married Henry Schneider at Rosenheim church on October 11, 1938. The flowerbeds were covered every night that fall to ensure that she would have a beautiful bouquet. Their honeymoon took them north, looking for a small business and they found the John Deere dealership in Clandonald, Alberta. They spent the winter in Provost then went by train to Clandonald in the spring of 1939, which was a 2 day journey at the time. They soon welcomed baby Donna, followed by Gordon 2 years later. They moved away in 1942 to New Westminster with a promise of a job and a hope that the climate would be better for Henry's asthma. After 3 years they were drawn back to the prairies when they heard that the garage in Clandonald was for sale. They purchased the Imperial Oil garage and Oliver Machine Agency as well as a little house across from the ball diamond. There they lived for many years, enjoying the lifestyle of a small rural community full of caring neighbours who became close, life-long friends. The 50's brought 2 more children; Harvey in '53 and Janet in '56. Eva remained active in the community. She was secretary-treasurer and librarian for the school board, she played the organ in the St. Columba Catholic Church for 23 years, and was an active member of the Catholic Women's League. This year she celebrated 66 years as a member. Grandpa constructed a little wooden boat so that the family could go out fishing on the weekends to nearby lakes. Rounds of Clandonald bridge and crib were favourite pastimes while sipping homemade chokecherry and raspberry/rhubarb wine. They always had an amazing garden, teeming with pink strawberries, tender beans and prize winning cabbages and gladiolas. She loved sewing, knitting and crocheting and always came home with mostly red ribbons from the Home Arts Show at the Clandonald Fair where her exquisitely crafted items received the highest praise. Her creativity came through in her ability to repurpose garments. A worn out man's coat could become a bunting bag for baby; a dress could be updated and altered to match the latest fashions. She and her family were always well dressed with clothing that was lovingly and expertly stitched. I once asked her what invention in her lifetime had the most profound impact and she said, "the electric sewing machine". Both Grandma and Grandpa were very close to their brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, and prioritized spending time with family. They always returned to Rosenheim for the annual picnic. They loved to travel and adventures took them to Las Vegas, Montana, California and Hawaii twice. Before Grandpa Henry passed away in 1985, Eva took it upon herself to learn to drive. In his failing health, she was determined to maintain her independence. She was 65 at the time. Driving enabled her to go where she wanted when she wanted. Her little grey Chevette would putt into our driveway, enroute to Provost or Viking. She continued to travel near and far after she was widowed. Voyages included another trip to Hawaii, Panama Canal, Israel, Ontario, the East coast, British Columbia and Alaska. She continued to live on her own in Clandonald for 15 years, keeping busy with her many hobbies. We all benefitted from the time she spent making cabbage rolls and perogies with Marie Maik and Caroline Deford, to the point that we have all adopted a little bit of Marie's Ukrainian heritage. In 2000, she decided to move to the Pioneer Lodge in Lloydminster and enjoyed the close company of readily available card players. She continued to love excursions to Donna & Don's north of Lloyd, Harvey & Lynne's on the coast, Gordon & Loretta's in Alder Flats, and Janet & Sandy's farm near Paradise Valley where the family would get together, always growing in number. Children have always paid her special attention because of her kind, gentle nature and tender heart. She loved to be with family and was content in these later years to have a little snooze on the couch when the noisy troops would go outside to play. She otherwise propped herself at the head of the table, amidst the busyness of the younger generations, ready to recall old stories from the past for anyone who sat with her. She maintained her almost undefeated record in crib and bridge until her final days. Grandma leaves 4 generations to mourn her passing: daughter, Donna (Don) Weston; daughter-in-law, Loretta Schneider; son, Harvey (Lynne) Schneider; and daughter, Janet (Sandy) Wilson; 11 grandchildren: Wade (Bonnie) Weston, Sheldon Weston, (Kerry Craven), Brenda (Richard) Miller, Lance (Tammy) Schneider, Travis (Carol Shouldice) Schneider, Kelly (Colleen) Schneider, Derek Schneider, Don (Tina Yonge) Wilson, Kerry (Brett) Wheler, Tyler (Kristen) Wilson, Reilly Wilson; 16 great-grandchildren: Melissa Weston, Mandy (Blake) Clarke, Chance (Jill) Miller, Randi (Jeremy) Tyler, Cole Schneider, Brett, Justin, and Shelby Schneider, Annabelle and Henry Wilson, Toryn and Emma Wheler, Lex, Scarlett, Audric and Spencer Wilson; 5 great-great grandchildren: Savanna, Charlie and Brynn Clarke, Luke Tyler, Harper Miller as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Eva was predeceased by her siblings Helen, Leona, Norbert, Herman, Edwin, Armella, Alfred, Emma, Josephine, Alma and William; husband, Henry in 1985; granddaughter, Lori Craven in 2002; and son, Gordon Schneider in 2011. Grandma leaves behind an incredible legacy. About a year ago, she gave me a little bag with spools of salvaged thread. Little bits of remnant thread are carefully wound together in coordinating colours on these spools. I was blown away when I first saw them. These are a connection to another time; when material items were scarce and one would get by on thoughtfulness, creativity, honest hard work, and love. Thanks Grandma for 97 beautiful years of living and loving Card of Thanks Thank you to the residents of Clandonald and district who truly welcomed us back home to celebrate Mom's life. It was so nice for the family to gather and honour Mom in the community where she enjoyed so many good years. Thanks to the residents and staff at the Pioneer Lodge and Homecare for your friendship and care towards Mom throughout her aging years. Thanks to Dr. Kerlis for your longtime genuine care. We appreciated the helpful, caring staff at the Lloydminster Hospital during her short stay there. Thanks to Father Arun, Father Roger, Father John who travelled from Edmonton, Audrey Gibbs, CWL members for the honour guard ceremony, musicians, and to all who participated in and attended Mom's services. A special thanks to Kerry for her song to Grandma during the slideshow and eulogy. Thanks to everyone for your kindness and support, prayers, mass cards, visits, cards, phone calls, food, donations and flowers. Thank you to Joel McCaw and staff for your professional, compassionate guidance and encouraging the little ones to participate. Don & Donna Weston Loretta Schneider Harvey & Lynne Schneider Sandy & Janet Wilson and families