Edith Katherine Messer, late of Midale, passed away September 10, 2012, at the age of 97 years. Edith was predeceased by her husband, Anton; son, Kenneth Morelle; daughter, Bonita Louise; brothers and sisters: Mary, Monica, Anton, Mathilda, Margaret, Bertha, Emmanuel, Harry, Casimer, Emelia. Edith is survived by her children: Iona (Garry) Scharnatta, Midale, Dahlila (Lawrence) Moldenhauer, Midale, Rodney (Glenna) Messer, Peachland, BC, Darwin (Leona) Messer, Kelowna, BC, Barry Messer, Halbrite, Loralee (Rick) O'Brien, Maple Creek; eighteen grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; sisters: Bella Schnell, Katie Gjovig; brother, Andy (Emily) Friess; sisters-in-law: Hazel Friess and Katherine Winter; brother-in-law George Gress along with numerous nieces and nephews. Edith Katherine Messer (Friess) was born on April 17, 1915 at Marienthal to Emmanuel and Margaret Friess - a twin to Bertha. She was the sixth child of a large family of 14. Grandma attended school until Grade 8, always walking to school in the summer and taking the horse and sleigh in the winter. She was a very good runner and enjoyed playing ball with her siblings. A few years back I was heading to Alberta on a business trip and I asked Grandma if she wanted to come along and that I would drop her off at Rick and Loralee's for a visit. Of course the answer was yes and off we went. Now I never had a liking to history in school but did want to take advantage of my next 5 hours with Edith as we drove to Maple Creek. I asked her what it was like growing up in the earlier days. Her first comment was "well, I started "working out" when I was 14 years old" - I found myself thinking what does that mean "working out" - was she a long distance runner, or perhaps training for ball and what kind of gym would they have back then? She went on to explain that at the age of 14, she began her working career by moving into another family home working as a housekeeper, which entailed doing all the cooking, cleaning and babysitting. She explained - "With such a big family and so many mouths to feed, that is what I had to do". She referred to this part of her life as "working out". Grandma met Anton Messer and were married on November 14, 1939 at Marienthal Church. It wasa double wedding ceremony with her sister, Bella and her husband Bill Schnell. They lived on many farms from Mount Green to their final farm at Huntoon. Grandma had eight children. Her first born, Kenneth Morrelle who passed away at the age of two. Then came Iona, Dahlila, Rodney, Darwin, Barry, Bonnie, and finally Loralee. Bonnie passed away at the age of six. With both passings, Grandma had a baby to look after and always mentioned that helped her to move on. However, she always said that losing a child was the toughest hardship she ever endured. She was very strong and resilient to bear the loss of two children and continued to be the perfect mother to the rest of her family. Grandma made school lunches for 27 years, clothed her family by sewing numerous outfits and helped on the farm milking cows, gardening, raising chickens and turkeys. She also sold cream and eggs in order to make ends meet. When the family allowance ran out, the old age security started! The family farm didn't have power until grandma and grandpa's 25th wedding Anniversary in 1964. On that anniversary, grandma was so looking forward to the possibility of a new ring for a gift, like her sister Bertha had received. But grandpa, in all his practicality bought her a new electric tea kettle instead. We think it's still in the basement. Every time grandma told us that story she laughed so hard she cried. Grandma and grandpa farmed until 1984 when they finally bought their own home and moved into Midale. Grandma spent hours watching her "soaps", sewing, quilting and crocheting. Her hands were never idle. She loved to quilt and crochet and we all received many of these wonderful keepsakes as gifts. Snuggling in a quilt made by Grandma, will always make us feel like her arms are wrapped around us and we're surrounded by her love. Another favorite past time of grandma's was watching the Blue Jay's play baseball. On her 90th birthday, her two grandsons, Tyler and Cordelle had birthday wishes announced on national television during a Blue Jay game. She had once said that besides the birth of her children, this was one of her most memorable moments in her life. Grandma had a special friend, Lillian Syrenne. She always looked forward to Lil's daily visits. Lil would pop by for coffee and a chat just to see if grandma needed anything. The family would like to thank Lillian for always being there for grandma. Grandma was fortunate enough to live in her own home until June of this year when she began having some medical problems. Up until that time she continued to cook, and bake bread and buns regularly. She even did most of her own yard work and last fall she raked 27 bags of leaves! Grandma's family, spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the highlights of her life. She kept track of all of us and was always interested in what each and every one was doing. She had a memory like an encyclopedia, as Uncle Andy would say. She never missed a birthday, anniversary or special occasion, no matter how many or how far away. She always had a card or gift in the mail - usually ahead of time. I'm sure the Midale Lions just gave Edith a blank calendar and asked her to fill in all the birthdays, anniversaries, and events. Grandma's faith was an integral part of her life, 30 years ago when she went through her kidney operation, she made a promise to God to pray her rosary every day and she never missed one. I'm sure her prayers helped to make us all better people. She was strong to the end with her rosary in her hands. She will be sadly missed and never forgotten by all her six children and spouses, 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren (the last of the great grandchildren being born two days before her passing). She will also be missed by her extended family, friends and community. We will miss her smiles and laughter. Most of all, her compassion, her words of encouragement, and her knowledgeable advice. We all love you very much! Prayers were held on Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn. Funeral mass for Edith was held on Friday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn with Fr. Gerry Bauche, celebrant. Interment followed at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn. All in attendance were considered honorary pallbearers. Active pallbearers were Shannon Moldenhauer, Darren Moldenhauer, Braden Messer, Kevin Moldenhauer, Tyler Scharnatta and Lane O'Brien. For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Edith may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 114-3rd Street NE, Weyburn, SK S4H 0W2 or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 279-3rd Avenue N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8.Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family"
