Leona Marie Altermatt:
September 15, 1920 - March 10, 2013
The death of Mrs. Leona Marie (nee Behiel) Altermatt of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Watson, SK, (and formerly of Englefeld, SK), occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Sunday, March 10, 2013. She was 92 years of age and the last surviving member of her generation. Leona was born on September 15, 1920, to Frederick and Valerie (nee Soete) Behiel at home on the Behiel family farm south of Watson. She grew up there, attended Early Dawn Rural School in the area, and kept busy helping on the farm. On June 29, 1942, Leona married Robert Altermatt Sr. in Englefeld. They made their home on the Altermatt family farm beside Jakob's Lake, where their son Robert and his wife Lee still reside today. As well as being a busy homemaker for her husband and son, tending to the garden and yardwork, throughout the years, she had always taken an active part in operating the farm. In earlier years, Leona raised purebred German Shepherd dogs for many years. In 1968, Leona was widowed, but continued to live on the farm. To help fill the void in her life after Robert died, she pursued her interest in antiques until the late 1990s, purchasing them for her own collection and for selling. Innumerable hours were spent refurbishing, repairing, and cleaning many items and stripping old furniture. Leona was known far and wide for her antiques. Although she was most comfortable staying close to home, in 1970, she did visit Switzerland, her husband's homeland. A large chapter in her life came to an end in December 2011, when she moved from her beloved farm and became a resident of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge. Leona will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her son, Robert (Rosalee "Lee") Altermatt of Englefeld; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Linda Altermatt (friend Ken Friesen) of Swift Current, SK, and family, Brianna (Chad) Hammond, and Braden Acker; Karl (Donna) Altermatt of Englefeld and family, Whitney Altermatt (Bryce Athmer), Keith Altermatt, Bradley Altermatt, and Tyler Altermatt; and Darcy (Donna) Altermatt of Grande Prairie, AB, and family, Dalan Altermatt and Danae Altermatt; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Altermatt, Sr. (1968); parents, Frederick and Valerie (nee Soete) Behiel; and by three brothers and three sisters: Omar (Iva) Molfat, Hiller Molfat, Margaret (Ben) Kazakosky, Lena (Peter) Kazakoff, Mary (Albert) Schoenwalt, and Bernard (Marie) Behiel. The Funeral Service for Leona was held at Holy Guardian Angels R.C. Church, Englefeld, on Friday, March 15, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., officiated by Fr. Darryl Millette. Others taking part were: Tyler Altermatt, crossbearer; Chad Hammond, scripture reader; Brianna Hammond, eulogist; Sandra Athmer, organist; Whitney Altermatt, Bryce Athmer, Tyler Altermatt, and Kailyn Simon, memorial table attendants. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Leona's life". Active pallbearers were Karl Altermatt, Darcy Altermatt, Braden Acker, Keith Altermatt, Bradley Altermatt, and Chad Hammond. Interment followed at Englefeld Public Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Englefeld Public Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
