It is with love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Mom, Elaine Schick, of Melfort, Sask., on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. She left us peacefully with her husband, Paul, and family members by her side.
Elaine was born on May 12, 1933, on her family farm in the Neudorf, Sask. district. Mom was the fourth child of five children and the only girl born to Jacob and Martha (Senft) Maurer. Mom attended Roadside School in the Neudorf district and then furthered her education by attending the Balfour Technical School in Regina, Sask. to take dressmaking training.
Mom tackled many sewing projects during her lifetime whether she sewed a new item, such as her own wedding gown and altered ready-made garments for her family. She even repaired heavy-duty outdoor clothing and some of Dad’s swather canvasses. Her early sewing was performed on a treadle sewing machine that was purchased for her sewing course.
At 14 years of age, Mom’s parents gave her a wonderful gift. It was a guitar. Mom was a self-taught guitarist. She has played many songs on that guitar for community entertainment, for her grandchildren’s entertainment and for her own pleasure.
Mom married Dad on May 4, 1953. Three days later, they travelled to the Resource area where Dad had purchased a farmstead. Mom farmed right alongside Dad for 55 years on that farmstead. Mom wore many hats during those years. She was chief cook and bottle washer for her family, she milked the cows, fed the livestock and drove the grain truck. She was the gardener and loved preserving garden produce for the winter. She also did the many other chores a farm requires. Mom assisted Dad with his endeavours of showing Angus cattle and Clydesdale horses at the Melfort Exhibitions. She was the mane and tail hairdresser for the Clydesdales when exhibiting.
Mom was involved with many community organizations. She served as 4-H club leader and project leader, contact person for the community college for classes offered, and committee member for the Allergy Foundation. Mom helped out with many community social events. She also did much volunteer entertainment with her guitar at the nursing homes and senior citizens homes in Melfort plus numerous district social events. Mom had many hobbies of sewing, knitting, crocheting, oil painting, woodworking, scrapbooking and crafting. Mom was also on staff at the Melfort Group Home for eight years. She really enjoyed working with the clients at the group home.
In May 2008, Mom and Dad left the farm and retired to Melfort and adjusted to apartment living in Consolation Manor. In January 2019, Mom’s declining health situation, due to a broken hip and late stages of Parkinson’s Disease, led to the decision for Mom to move to Parkland Place. Friends and family regularly visited Mom there and she always welcomed them.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Martha Maurer; brothers, Peter, Ernie, Norman and Gordon Maurer; her in-laws, John and Annie Schick; sisters-in-law, Alma Maurer, Irene Baker-Maurer and Charlene Schick; brother-in-law, Kenneth Schick; and grandson, Rowland LeBarre.
Mom is lovingly remembered by her surviving family: husband of 68 years, Paul Schick; her children: Imogene and her husband, Mel Annand, and her children, Jacqueline Denis (Gilles), Calvin LeBarre and daughter-in-law Roxanne Elkew (Mikey Swan); Carmen and his partner, Barb Smith; Kevin and his wife Debbie and their children, Rikki (Charlie Atkin), Logan (Brittany Yeager) and Jacey; Kevin’s daughter, Janet Squires; great-grandchildren, Madelaine, Eva and Blaize Denis; Korabella LeBarre; Twyla (Zachary Chabot), Reagan, McKenzie and Ashley Squires; and great-great grandchild, Eli Chabot. She is also remembered by sisters-in-law, Ursula Maurer, Marilyn Maurer, Verena Hollinger and Helen Schick; by brothers-in-law, Calvin Schick and Elwood Schick; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mom touched many lives in the community of family and friends. We will miss Mom’s welcoming smile and encouragement in our own endeavours.
A service celebrating Elaine’s life was held from the
Melfort United Church, Melfort, Sask. on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 with Rev. Jonathan Worrall officiating. The interment will take place at a later date in the Silver Park Cemetery, Silver Park, Sask.
Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to Parkinson’s Canada or to a charity of one’s choice.
To watch a video of Elaine’s service or to leave a condolence for her family, please visit her online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Fedusiak
Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Melfort, Sask. (306) 752-3838.
