McCONNELL: In Loving Memory of Lois Rosanna McConnell who was born April 17, 1936 at Mervin, SK and passed away June 22, 2013 at North Battleford, SK. Left to cherish her memory: her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Gisella McConnell & family: Karleigh (Mauro) Sanchez - Haiden, Isaiah, Luka; Caleb (Melvy) Warkentin - Mara, Mateo, Aria; Jacob Warkentin; Ursula (Lorne) Jacobson & family: Nikki (Bradley); Laine Jacobson; Roger (DeeDee) McConnell & family: Raylene (Torrie), Danika, Makenzie; Cora (Allen) Walker & family: Kattlin, Jayla, Lance; brothers and sister: Lee (Hazel) Ruelling, Ray (Stella) Ruelling, Carol Burnard, Bruce Ruelling; in-laws: Bill McConnell, Roland (Joyce) McConnell, Janet McConnell; nieces, nephews and her adopted brats who she loved very much! Lois is predeceased by her parents: Melcher and Hilda Ruelling; husband of 37 years, Howard McConnell; twin-brother & his wife, Lloyd (Ruth) Ruelling; brother-in-law, Steve Burnard. The Funeral Service was held Wed, June 26, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. from Glaslyn Community Hall, Glaslyn, SK with The Reverend Canon Donald A. Skinner, Turtle River Parish, SK, officiating. The Eulogists - Connie Topott & Judy Mayer and gifts of Music by: Pianist - Joan Harrison; Soloist - Shawna Pilat ~ "Amazing Grace" - "I Believe" and Hymn Selections were "In The Garden" - "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "The Old Rugged Cross" (at the Cemetery). The Honourary Pallbearers were "Everyone Who Shared Mom's Life" and Pallbearers were Caleb Warkentin, Mauro Sanchez, Laine Jacobson, Bradley Siklenka, Kattlin Walker, Torrie Dyck and Jacob Warkentin. Memorials are requested to the Donors Choice. Interment followed at Glaslyn Cemetery, Glaslyn, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service (306) 446-4200 Eulogy "A heart that loves is always young" is a quote that sums up my Aunt Lois' life. Lois Rosanna Ruelling and her twin brother, Lloyd Melcher, or "Rudy" as he was commonly known, were born on April 17, 1936 to Hilda (Katava) and Melcher Ruelling in Mervin, SK. They didn't realize they were expecting twins and Grandma Hilda was worried about certain "bumps" in the wrong places, so they called the doctor. They were shocked to learn that they were not just having one, but two babies! Lois was born first and 20 minutes later, Lloyd entered the world. However, they had only prepared for one baby: one crib and one set of clothes. So as pioneers, they improvised and put one baby in the crib and one in a dresser drawer; a perfect make shift crib! Lois was born with black hair and Lloyd was born with blond hair. Shortly after they were born, a young visitor was said to exclaim"Come see, there's a black one and a white one!" As newborns the story goes that Lois woke up in the night and Grandma asked Grandpa to bring her to the bedroom. Lois was fed and had just returned to sleep when Lloyd began to cry and Grandma requested again that the baby be brought to the bed. Grandpa's response was "I can see that a fella' won't get no sleep at all!" Grandma says the babies must have heard him because they never woke up at night again! Both of the twins were beautiful and blue eyed, filled with curiosity and vigour. This would set the template for their lives as Lois was always interested in learning more about other people, nature, the universe any and all unknown mysteries, history, philosophy, religion and politics. Lois would become a teacher and Lloyd would join the Smoke Jumpers, earn his pilot's license, and open Alert Aviation, with his brother, Raymond. As twins, Lois always spoke of the close, almost telekinetic connection she and her brother Lloyd shared. She always said that she had absolutely no pain during delivery of all her children, but that she later learned that Rudy had suffered from extreme abdominal pain the very same day and at the very same time as Lois was in labour! Telling this story always made her laugh. A laugh that , as many of you will recall, was always punctuated by a small "snort". However, on May 29, 1975, tragedy struck the Ruelling family when "Rudy", Lois' twin brother Lloyd, died when a massive heart attack at the age of 39. This was particularly hard on Lois as she felt she had lost part of herself when her brother died. It is comforting to know/think that they are finally back together as twins once more. Lois grew into a beautiful and ambitious young lady. After completing grade eight at Dexter School, she attended high school in Mervin and worked at Shires one year and Knights the next year for her room and board. She graduated from Mervin High School in 1956. She spent the summer working at the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford. This was fodder for many lessons on respect and empathy for those who suffer from mental illness. And although she always enjoyed a joke about our crazy family (her favorite, our family doesn't suffer from mental illness, we enjoy it!) she always reminded us that there were others for whom the suffering was no laughing matter. She then went on to continue her education at Teacher's College in Saskatoon, SK and graduated in 1958. Her first job as a teacher was at Harlan, SK near French Man's Bute, a one-room school house. She then taught at Dexter School for a year. One day a tall, slim, handsome man arrived at the Ruelling farm looking to hire Carol to work for his parents, Edward and Sarah McConnell. Howard McConnell hired Lois' little sister, Carol, but then he began to visit the Ruelling's farm every second Saturday. Although Grandma's baking was always an attraction, it seemed that Lois was the sugar his heart desired. Howard was enchanted with Lois and on December 2, 1963, Howard and Lois were married at the United Church in Glaslyn, SK. Her younger and only sister, Carol Marie Burnard was her bridesmaid and her brother, Bruce, the baby of the family, was the best man. Together they would raise four children: Giselle Louise, March 4, 1962, Ursala Rose on February 28, 1964, followed by Roger Edward, February 17, 1967 and then Cora Lea McConnell on October 10, 1968.Lois was a woman of unshakable faith and I remember how she always found time to read a Bible story to us when we came home for lunch. She believed in a loving and forgiving God, but she also drove home the lesson that just because you got away with it doesn't mean you won't answer for it, (whatever it was!) later! She also believed in Karma, and was often known to remark "God will get you for that". She always ended each visit and phone call with a little prayer. It was at this time that she became my favorite auntie. Why, just this January, 2013 Ursala and Daisy Duke, the Bull Mastif, came for a visit. Ursala and I had been visiting when the topic of favorite nieces came upand I said "I'm your Mom's favorite niece." Suddenly, Ursala phone rang; it was Lois and without telling Lois where she was, Ursala asked, "Who is your favorite niece?" without hesitation, Lois responded, "Why, Connie, of course!" to which we both laughed! Lois loved water and she loved the cabin at Moonlight Bay, on Turtle Lake. My childhood lake memories include: stories of the Turtle Lake Monster, Lois swimming and watching the kids in the lake, with constant warnings of the dangers of water and drowning; stories of others who did not heed the warnings and like the "stupid idiots" they were, were drowned! One beach story that stands out is one Lois told about two boys playing on the beach and as she walked by, she overheard the one little guy exclaim "now that girl's got curves!" This always made her chuckle, and snort! Of course, summer meant summer food and auntie Lois loved summer food! This included: watermelon with salt; tea and fig newtons; tomatoes and suger..to name a few! Howard and Lois stuck together through thick and thin, richer and poorer, sickness and health until March8, 2000, when her husband of 37 years, Howard McConnell passed away. Shortly afterward, Lois moved to Battlefords District Care Centre, Battleford, SK. Lois was an optimist and she was always certain things would work out for the best, she always believed that everyone was basically good, and she always looked for the best in everyone. She was also an advocate for the less fortunate and the underprivileged, she was always willing to help others and in doing so set a very good example for her children and grandchildren. In recent years, Lois lived in River Heights Lodge in North Battleford, where she became president of the Residents Council. She took great pride representing the needs of other clients at River Heights Lodge. Lois was also the family historian and never tired of telling of the challenges and success of family past and present. However, her grandchildren were always her favorite family topic. She cherished their visits and always insisted they bring their friends with them to visit her. She was a great communicator and kept the family bounds healthy and strong by calling them most every day. She loved to visit, she loved to have company over, and most of all, she loved life! "A heart that loves is always young" Forever young. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
