Myriel Fellner, nee Colbow, was born in Khedive, on April 13, 1923. She was predeceased by her grandmother, Mary Colbow; husband, Frank Fellner; daughter, Pamela Zastrow; son-in-law, Brad Zastrow; grandson, Tanner Zastrow; brother, Bud McClellan as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law. Her mother was Susie Colbow and her father Tom McLean. From the time she was two years old she was raised by her grandmother Mary Colbow, a woman whom Myriel loved and admired. When going through pictures for the picture boards I came across newspaper clippings one was a write-up of Grandma Colbow鈥檚 passing. It seems the community had the same love and admiration of grandma that Myriel had. From the stories Myriel told of her grandma she was a very big influence in her life and she taught Myriel many life lessons.聽 How to make something from nothing. Myriel said many times that she doesn鈥檛 know how her grandma kept them going during the depression, but they never went hungry. How grandma would make over dresses they had received from others for Myriel and it was like getting a new dress. How grandma was so protective of her and would only let her be in the school play if the other students promised to pick her up and walk her safely back home. And by doing all of this grandma was teaching Myriel the most important lessons, doing for others, commitment, and most important of all, unconditional love, and these were lessons Myriel learned very well. Myriel鈥檚 mom Susie married Dan McLellan. Myriel has one sister, Shirley Lillejord who lives in Radville and two brothers, John who lives in Regina and Alvin (Bud) who predeceased her. Her family was important to her and she loved them all and was proud of them and their accomplishments. An example of this was when great niece, Janessa Groesnick became a doctor. She would often talk about how Janessa was working with Dr. O and going to university. Myriel went to school in Khedive and quit school in grade 10. She worked for the Milne鈥檚 at the store in Khedive and really enjoyed her job.聽 She told many stories of her job and the people she worked for and the customers. One story was how Mrs. Milne tested Myriel鈥檚 honesty when she first started her job. Myriel found a couple of $20.00 bills laying around and of course returned them to Mrs. Milne. She always thought that she was being tested. On November 12, 1948 (after a long, long, courtship) Myriel married her love Frank Fellner. On September 15, 1959 the family grew with the arrival of daughter Pamela Mary. They continued to live in Khedive where Frank farmed and Myriel took care of the family.聽 Pam finished school and moved to Weyburn. In September of 1988 she married Brad Zastrow. On January 27, 1991 Myriel and Frank become the proud grandparents to Brendan. On August 15, 1995 sister, Nicole arrived and their joy was boundless. Tragedy struck the family when their grandson Tanner died shortly after being born in April of 1996. It struck again when son-in-law Brad passed away in August of 1999 from cancer. Also during this time Frank became ill with Alzheimer鈥檚. He was hospitalized and spent about three years in Souris Valley before he passed in January of 2000. The light in Myriel鈥檚 life was forever dimmed when her beloved daughter Pam was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in November of 2011. For all these losses that she suffered she continued on with a strength and conviction for life that was inspiring to those of us around her. Mryiel learned her Grandma鈥檚 lessons well. She loved her family with all her heart. When Frank became ill she cared for him at home. When he went into the hospital she visited him daily.聽 When Pam was taking treatments Myriel kept everything together.聽 She looked after the grandkids and the house, her strength kept their lives as normal as possible in an impossible time. Pam was everything to her. It is hard to put into words the love she had for her, how proud she was of her, or the depth of her grief. It was the only time in her life where her faith faltered but with time she grew to accept if not understand her loss. Her love for her grandchildren knew no bounds. She was always watching them bowl, play ball, football, dance, act in school plays and choral groups. She was so proud of them and so proud of the adults they have become. She worried over them like a mother hen. Myriel was a very good friend.聽 It has been said that before you can have a true friend you must be one and Myriel was that. She had many friends. Myriel loved her cards. She played canasta every Wednesday and nothing and I mean nothing stopped her from going to her game. She often said how good life was growing up even though it was a harder time.聽 They worked hard but they stopped and took time to enjoy what is important in life, each other 鈥� family and friends. Friday night card games, dances, Sunday picnics, Sunday drives, the Weyburn fair and of course Rider games. Myriel was stubborn or perhaps one should say she was fiercely independent. For example one wouldn鈥檛 ask for help when changing the kitchen lightbulb. One would just push the kitchen table into the middle of the kitchen climb on and get the job done. She spring and fall cleaned her apartment right up until last year. Last summer she took a taxi to the grocery store and then pushed the cart home. She was some tired when I talked to her that night. Climbing up into the truck and refusing to let you help. She would say 鈥渏ust hold my purse鈥�. And when you got to the destination she would climb out before you could get around the truck to help her. She was adamant that she was not leaving her apartment to go to a home, they are going to have to carry me out she would tell me, and they did. The family of the late Myriel Fellner would like to thank all those who sent cards, flowers, for the visits, for the phone calls, texts and emails. Thank you to Reverend Barnabas for the lovely message, to Colleen Weimer and the choir for the uplifting music and to the ladies of the UCW for the wonderful lunch, thank you to Tamara and all the staff at Fletcher Funeral Chapel. Thank you to the pallbearers, Glen Lillejord, Russ Lillejord, Daryl Lillejord, Tyler Hancock, Reese Pingert and Brent Stephanson. To all, your kindness was appreciated. Myriel will be lovingly remembered by her grandson, Brenden Zastrow (Chantel Johnston); granddaughter, Nicole Zastrow (Rob Lee); brother, John McClellan; sister, Shirley Lillejord; sister in law, Barb Fellner and Barb Pingert as well as nieces, nephews and close friends. The Funeral Service was held Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. Interment followed at Khedive Cemetery. Pallbearers were Darly Lillejord, Glen Lillejord, Russ Lillijord, Tyler Hancock, Reese Pingert and Brent Stephanson. Donations in memory of Myriel may be made to a charity of the donor鈥檚 choice. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, 306-842-5432.
