Date of Birth: May 7, 1928
Date of Death: February 14, 2017
Frances Schweitzer of Neudorf, Sask., passed away peacefully in St. Peter’s Hospital on Tuesday morning, Feb. 14, 2017 at the age of 88 years.
Frances Elizabeth was born May 7, 1928 to Peter and Margaret (Wirth) Blanchard on Sec 16, Tp 20, R 7, W of 2nd in the RM of McLeod. Her parents worked as hired hands for farm families. Frances was the eldest of five children.
As a little girl, Frances loved all kinds of animals, being outside and music. When Frances was six years old and her parents were working at Parkerview, she became very ill with a ruptured appendix. Grandma Blanchard told us this story many times how she prayed so hard for her daughter’s recovery and her prayers were answered! Following a lengthy hospital stay, Frances lived with her Uncle Jake and Aunt Mathilda Bieber while she recovered, and ended up staying there for an extended time. She attended Roadside School where she completed her Grade 10.
As a young teenager she met Albert, while attending Confirmation class. Confirmation classes were held in the old town office which even had a jail in it! They were confirmed on April 19, 1942. At that time she never thought that he would become her husband. Frances spent time sewing and sewed most of her clothes. She played the organ and piano and she worked for several neighbours doing housework.
On Monday, June 6, 1949, Frances married Albert Schweitzer at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Hippe officiating. They lived the first couple years with Albert’s parents and then moved north to their own farm. They were blessed with four children; Richard, Daryl, Sherry and Garnet.
As children we depended on Mom for every meal on the table and clean and mended clothes. Mom sewed many things, from curtains to bridesmaid dresses. She was also our chauffeur, getting us to where we needed to be. Being farmers meant there were cows to milk, chickens to feed and large gardens. And of course that meant separating cream, making cheese, canning, cooking and baking. Mom taught us all to sing “You are my Sunshine” and the many hymns of which we all love. Mom was very active in the choir and Church Ladies Aide Group. As well, Mom and Dad volunteered at, and attended, many dances in our community hall. It was often after these things she’d say, “Oh, my legs hurt” or “How I wish I could go like everyone else!”
In June 1982, Mom and Dad moved to Neudorf. Mom’s love of gardening continued and her passion for quilting grew. She enjoyed the friendship of neighbours on the farm and continued with many more in town. Mom and Dad did a little travelling out to the West Coast and into the United States. But their favourite outings were their Sunday drives and going out for supper.
For Frances, life revolved around her family, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her everything. She was a regular spectator at music recitals as well as school and sporting events. Just to know where they were curling, camping, travelling or just at home taking care of each other and their little ones meant a lot to her. We’re sure her bedtime prayer was often, “Lord please bring them all home safe and sound.”
Mom spent a lot of time the last few years reminiscing with friends, reading and watching her favourite TV shows. She liked nothing better than to have
us make a cup of coffee and come sit with her to watch Little House on the Prairie or The Waltons.
Frances was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Margaret (nee Wirth) Blanchard; her husband, Albert; an infant son, Daryl Brian; Uncle Jake and Aunt Mathilda Bieber; a brother, Lenard Blanchard; parents-in-law, Frank and Katherine Schweitzer; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bernice and Wilf Trithart.
Frances leaves to cherish her memory: her three children,
Richard (Bonny), Sherry (Garry) Hoehn and Garnet (Lynda) all of Neudorf; 10 grandchildren, Charla (Chad) Kohlenberg, Lyndon (Lacey) Schweitzer of Neudorf, Joel (Shari) Hoehn of Yorkton, Derrick (Amanda) Hoehn of Melville, Mitch (Meghan) Hoehn of Pilot Butte, Jenna Hoehn of Regina, Danielle (Lyndon) Graff of Craven, Carissa (Lijah) Behnke of Saskatoon, Alanna (Taylor) Schick of Regina and Kendra Schweitzer of Saskatoon; six great-
grandchildren, Taylor and Brooke Kohlenberg, Colby and Kayla, Caiden and West Hoehn; brothers, Herb Blanchard of Kitchener, Ont., Gerald (Gloria) Blanchard of Regina and Raymond (Kathy) Blanchard of Neudorf; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral service was held Monday, Feb., 20, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Neudorf with the Rev. John Nieminen officiating. Family memories were shared by Danielle Graff and Kendra Schweitzer. The organist, Nadine Gattinger, led in the hymns, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “Beautiful Saviour,” “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me” and “Abide with Me.” All those who touched Frances’s life were considered honorary pallbearers.
Interment took place in the Neudorf cemetery with her grandchildren, Charla and Chad Kohlenberg, Lyndon and Lacey Schweitzer, Joel and Shari Hoehn, Derrick and Amanda Hoehn, Mitch and Meghan Hoehn, Jenna Hoehn, Danielle and Lyndon Graff, Carissa and Lijah Behnke, Alanna and Taylor Schick and Kendra Schweitzer acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville
