Ella Schmidt

The family of Ella Schmidt would like to announce the passing of their beloved mother on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the age of 93 years of age.

Beloved wife of the late Wendlin Schmidt,

Beloved mother of daughters Diane Keller, Luvina Etsell, Sheila Punter, Jeanette Martin, Bonnie Dunn, and sons, the late Dennis Schmidt and Larry Schmidt.

Beloved Nanny to 10 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren

There will be a Funeral Mass for Ella on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kindersley with Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Azike as celebrant.

Interment in the Kindersley Cemetery following the mass.

Prayers will be offered for Ella Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m. from St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Eulogy of Ella Schmidt

Ella was born January 7, 1923 on the family farm near Cactus Lake, Saskatchewan. She was one of 13 children (8 boys and 5 girls) born to Frank and Barbara Oberst. She was predeceased by all of her siblings. Ella was predeceased by her husband Wendlin Schmidt and her sons Dennis and Larry and son in law Don Barclay. She is survived by her 5 loving Daughters, 10 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren as follows:

Diane (Ed) Keller of North Battleford, son Dean and his children Cayley and Brennan of Saskatoon, son Darryl (T.J.) and their children Jessica & Bradley of Saskatoon.

Luvina Etsell of Coleville and son Lee (Shauna) and their children Meagan & Taylor, Kailey & Tyson of Archerwill, daughter Shannon (Greg) Lewis and their children Kerri, Kelsey & Cody of Langham, daughter Erin (Billy) Wilson and their children Kailyn & Tori of Kenosee Lake.

Sheila (Glen) Punter of Warman and son Shaun (Sarah) and their son Ethan of Saskatoon and daughter Sarah (Regan) Patrick of Boston, Massachusetts.

Jeanette (Jim) Martin of Kindersley and daughter Angela and children Damian & Hailey of Kindersley and son Kevin and his daughter Kalli of Kindersley.

Bonnie (Murray) Dunn of Kindersley and their daughter Jenna (Colby) Mainil of Cochrane, Alberta.

Ella attended Barryville Country School near Cactus Lake. She worked as a nurse’s aide in Macklin Hospital up until she had to quit to help the family at home.

Music was always an important part in Ella’s life. She started playing the mandolin at the age of 11 and at age 12 progressed to the banjo. She played this banjo for close to 82 years and is the same banjo that is on display today.

The first love of her life was her banjo but then Wendlin came along and we are not sure if he ever upstaged the banjo for first place or not but he was a very close second!

Ella married Wendlin Schmidt of Reward, Sask. at St. Donatus rural church near her home at Cactus Lake on November 3, 1942. They farmed together and raised their children on the family farm 3 miles outside of Coleville. She worked very hard alongside Wendlin working in all aspects of running the farm....from milking cows, to hauling grain to fixing machinery, etc. while growing a big garden and looking after 7 kids. Wendlin died just 2 months shy of their 70th Wedding Anniversary.

Ella was a woman of many talents. One might say ‘jack of all trades’. We, the family, feel she was master of them all. She received many horticultural awards. She was famous for her gardening, her flowers, and her amazing beautiful yards both on the farm and later her yard in Kindersley. One story that we would like to share was when a small plane flew over the farm and saw this beautiful yard from the air. He landed on a dirt road near the farm and had to come and see the yard up close. Ella was pleased to give him permission to take pictures some of which were published in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix.

In between all this she continued to play her banjo....

Other talents include sewing...and banjo playing J

Knitting....and banjo playing J

Making wedding flowers for many weddings in Coleville and Kindersley....and banjo playing J

She was a fantastic cook. She was famous for her delicious sour cream cookies (that tasted the best when stolen from the deep freeze) and we can’t forget her delicious Nanny buns......and her banjo playing. J

In 1976 they retired and moved to Kindersley. Mom continued to be active with the CWL which she has been a member since 1953. She loved to bowl winning many awards and they both loved socializing and playing cards with friends and neighbors. She played her guitar and sang in the church choir both in Coleville and in Kindersley. During the years in Kindersley she played in several old time bands and also played and sang with daughter Jeanette at many local functions throughout the years. Even after she was moved into the Jubilee Lodge in Eston, she still continued to play her banjo.

During their retirement years Ella & Wendlin travelled to many places including the Holy Land, Germany, France, England and many places across Canada and the United States.

Family was so very important to her. Always being a mother, looking out for her daughters, caring for them, always wondering if they were ok and keeping them in her prayers. Even though she suffered with Alzheimer’s during the last few years, and her memories were fading, she still had that mother’s instinct which she never lost. Always the host, always telling them to drive carefully, always asking if they needed anything. Some memories would stick with her....one of which was the debit card. On numerous times she would say, "if you need any money, just push that button at the bank and the money will come out".

As bad as the disease progressed, she never forgot ‘her girls’. They would walk in the door and although she may not have remembered when she had seen them last, she would always say the same thing..."you look like an angel walking through the door". No one ever left her without saying ‘love you’ and she would always answer with ‘love you more’. They managed to fulfil her wishes and in her final days and to the end, someone was always at her side.

We love you Nanny... We love you Mom... We will always love you "more".

Ella passed away on September 16, 2016 at Eston Jubilee Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan c/o Prairie Rose Floral, Kindersley or to Eston Caring Hands, c/o Box 804, Eston, SK S0L 1A0.

 Service Information