Ella June BerscheidJune 23, 1932 - March 24, 2012 On Saturday, March 24, 2012, Mrs. Ella June (nee Palmer) Berscheid of Lake Lenore, SK, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, SK. Ella, daughter of Hugh and Valentina (nee Matalski) Palmer was born in Humboldt, SK, on June 23, 1932. She was raised on the Palmer family farm in the Verndale district and the hills remained dear to her heart throughout her life. Ella gained her education at Selmond School where she would walk early each day to prepare the school house for the teacher. This included stoking the stove in the cold winter months. On October 14, 1952, she married Raymond Nicholas Berscheid at St. Anthony's R.C. Church in Lake Lenore, SK. Together, Ella and Raymond raised seven children on the family farm in the Lake Lenore district. The farm included grain and oilseed production, growing registered seed, seed cleaning, raising chickens, pigs; and the dairy. Ella thoroughly enjoyed her farm. She routinely organized chore schedules, ran many trips to the field for machinery repairs, grain testing, and delivering meals. In addition, Ella tended to a huge garden and kept her family on task. Through this, farming grew in her blood, heart and soul. For relaxation, Ella and the family would visit Marean Lake. A smile appeared on her face by simply driving the boat. As Ella grew older, just a simple drive to the lake or through the trails in Verndale provided her with similar joy. Ella was extremely grateful that she was able to continue to live at the farm where she could use her lawn tractor, enjoy the views out of her windows, and listen to the chirping of the crickets in the creek and the birds in the yard. Left to cherish Ella's memory are her children: Theresa (Jerome) Draude of Penticton, BC; Rita (Verne) Thoner of Young, SK; Daniel Berscheid (Linda Davidson) of Lake Lenore; Bernice Berscheid of Yorkton, SK; Krystal Tkaerys (previously known as Mary Berscheid) of Ferne Park, Florida; Gerald (Sharon) Berscheid of Saskatoon, SK; and Donna (Garth) Herbert of Regina, SK; grandchildren: Linda (Gatan) Bottier, Kris (Brent) Krahn, Jeremy (Tessa) Draude, Keith (Kendra) Thoner, Carla (Chris) Madsen, Justin Thoner, Jessica Berscheid, Nicole Berscheid, Jordan Berscheid, Gavin Herbert, and Garrick Herbert; great-grandchildren: Céleste and Juliette Bottier, Brody and Tristan Krahn, Ella and Callie Thoner; sister, Betty Lou Duerr of Edmonton, AB; sister-in-law, Marie Palmer of Middle Lake, SK; and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Raymond Berscheid (November 19, 1997); her parents, Hugh and Valentina (nee Matalski) Palmer; and by two sisters and one brother: Vera (Andrew) LeJan, Blanche (Stan) Bordenuik, and Hugh Palmer. Ella embraced life and all that it had to offer. She was a humble, gentle lady who gave unconditional love to all of her family. She treasured her family as she encouraged each of us to be the person that God intended us to be. This resulted in a full life with many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were a pure joy in her life. Although she aged, Ella never grew old. She remained young at heart. Through her life, Ella approached great obstacles with grace and courage, particularly so in the last few months. Ella will be forever remembered and loved as our Guardian Angel. The Prayer Service for Ella was held on Wednesday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lake Lenore, SK, led by Rev. Richard Meidl, OSB. Scripture readers were Jeremy Draude and Jessica Berscheid; Nicole Berscheid, intentions and the eulogy was delivered by Gerald Berscheid. Music ministry was provided by Ben Flaman and the Lake Lenore Music Ministry. The Funeral Mass was offered on Thursday, March 29, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lake Lenore, SK, and officiated by Rev. Richard Meidl, OSB. Others taking part were: Gavin and Garrick Herbert, cross bearers; Linda Bottier and Carla Madsen, scripture readers; Garth Herbert, intentions; Kris Krahn and Kendra Thoner, giftbearers; Mary Lou Mamer and Marthe Forster, memorial table attendants; Jerome Draude, Eucharistic minister. Music ministry was provided by Naomi Prodahl and the Lake Lenore Music Ministry and Donna Herbert, soloist. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Ella's life". Active pallbearers were Brent Krahn, Chris Madsen, Keith Thoner, Gatan Bottier, Justin Thoner, and Jeremy Draude. Interment took place at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the St. Anthony's R.C. Cemetery Fund or the St. Anthony's Parish Building Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0.
