Leonhardt: Victor

On October 29, 2004 Victor Leonhardt of Westerose, Alberta passed away at the age of 91 years.  Victor was born and raised at Drumheller, Alberta the son of Jacob and Marie Leonhardt.  

After the passing of his father, he and his brothers operated the family homestead which Victor later purchased and farmed until 1963.  Victor also operated a small strip mining operation and sold coal to residents in Drumheller. He married Elsie Schmeelke of Champion in November 1942 and they were blessed with seven children.  At the close of World War II Victor acquired several Anson trainer aircraft from War Assets and eventually he and his brother August each acquired a Lancaster Bomber.  Victor¹s Lancaster was stripped of engines and numerous parts but the Lancaster remained a noted landmark in the community. 

Over the years Victor purchased additional land and expanded his farm.  He also purchased undeveloped land in Sundre, Caroline, Rocky Mountain House and Buck Lake areas.  While on one of these land buying trips he became aware of some lakefront property at Pigeon Lake. He acquired this land and created plans for developing resort properties. Victor sold the farm in 1963 and moved his family with the old Lancaster in tow to Pigeon Lake to pursue his dream of developing this land.  In the years to follow Victor became preoccupied with the farming operations and sporadically worked at developing the resort land.  It wasn't until he and Elsie sold the lake front property that they actually saw the realization of his dream.

After the passing of Elsie in November, 2001 Victor moved to Luther Manor in Wetaskiwin.  With his health failing as a result of prostate cancer and after suffering a broken hip in May 2004 he remained in Wetaskiwin General Hospital until his passing.

He is survived by his loving family; children Ernie (Laurie) of Westerose, Don (Gloria) of Westerose, Rosemarie (Larry) Creighton of Calgary, Murray (Marie)  of Wetaskiwin, Allan (Betty) of Calgary, Gary (Marilyn) of Calgary, Kevin (Cindy) of Westerose; 16 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; brothers, Jacob (Margaret) of Drumheller, Walter of Calgary and by his sister, Amelia Walker of Drumheller. Victor was predeceased by his wife, Elsie; parents, Jacob and Marie; five brothers and two sisters.

Memorial service was held at Baker Funeral Chapel, 5302-50 Avenue, Wetaskiwin on Thursday, November 4, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor John Cline Officiating.  Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Cross Cancer Institute or Battle Lake Baptist Church building fund. Baker Funeral Chapel Inc. Wetaskiwin, Alberta (780) 352-2501 ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

McIlwrick: Lena  1912 - 2003

Lena was born in Binscarth, Manitoba, on April 11, 1912. She married John McIlwrick and together they farmed in the Rutland, Saskatchewan district. Predeceased by John, on May 14, 1982, she is survived by the following: Lena's first child Maurice (Phyllis), grandson Len McIlwrick (Dawn), granddaughter Brenda Blain (R.C.M.P. Consable Les Blain), great grandchildren Melissa, Logan, and Zachary. Grandson Dale McIlwrick MBA (Connie), great grandchildren Nicola, Samantha, and Matthew. Granddaughter Karin Kinney (Troy), great grandchildren Korbin, and Alyssa. Lena's second child Shirlie Ursu (Joe), granddaughter Ronda Jessop, great granddaughter Brittney, granddaughter Audrey Gottfried (Darwin), great grandchildren Sarah, Adam, and Rebecca. Lena's third child Charles McIlwrick (Gail), granddaughters Dr. Joann McIlwrick MD, FRCPC (Dr. Cory Toth MD, FRCPC), and author Jackie Johnson (McIlwrick) cert. HR. Admin. The location of Lena's
final resting place has not been shared with any of her family members mentioned above. Anyone able to provide details in this regard may contact Dr. Joann McIlwrick at psychiatry@shaw.ca. Information regarding Lena's younger children may be obtained from the obituary published October 2003.