Eskeland: Sharon Louanne

Eskeland, Sharon Louanne passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family at the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary on September 1, 2008. Sharon was born in Grande Prairie on February 24, 1941. Her family moved several times throughout her childhood to Calgary, Prince Albert, Edmonton, and finally settling in Drumheller where Sharon completed her High School Diploma. After graduation, Sharon stayed in Drumheller to work as a court stenographer for the Provincial Court House. She married Ed Eskeland in 1961 and moved  to the family farm in the Churchill area. In addition to being a farm wife and excellent bookkeeper for two family companies, Sharon enjoyed working casually at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, was involved with the Knox United Church, painted, and was an avid bird-watcher and nature lover. Sharon was devoted to her family and friends, and always made time for them no matter how busy her day. Sharon was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Pat Davies. She is lovingly remembered and missed by her husband Ed Eskeland; her children and grandchildren Joanne (Jim) Hodgson, Eric, Coleman, and Chrissy Hodgson; John (Ilona), Ben and Jenn; Jason; Jim (Julie), Owen and Elena; Kelly (Bob); her sister Maureen (Art) Russell; her brother Jim (Juanita) Davies; her sister-in-law Ella (Art) Hoehne, and numerous nieces and nephews. A “Celebration of Sharon’s Life” was held on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Knox United Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. 

Herd: Luella  1937 - 2008

It is with great sorrow that we announce the recent passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.  Lue passed away on September 2, 2008 at the Foothills Hospital.  She is survived by her sons Wally (Lana) and Ian (Dawn), grandchildren Thomas, Mitchell, Emma and Marcus, sister Tyra, and several nieces, nephews and extended family.  She was predeceased by brothers Roy, James and Tom, and her sisters Beulah and Elsie. Lue was a proud mother of her two sons who she raised as a single mom with the help of her family. Loving grandmother to her four grandchildren who she loved with all her heart and cherished her time with. She was an involved community member and always volunteering her time with the Bow Cliff Seniors.  She was also a game player of all sorts and she also enjoyed calligraphy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (100-119 14 Street NW Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6) in honour of our beloved Lue.  Condolences may be forwarded by visiting www.leydens.com. A Celebration of Luella’s Life was held on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Leyden’s Chapel of Remembrance (corner of 17 Avenue and 2 Street SW, Calgary). Interment will be at the Rumsey Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12. Tea to follow at the Rumsey Community Hall. Arrangements entrusted to LEYDEN’S FUNERAL HOME, RECEPTION AND CREMATION CENTRE 304 18 Avenue SW, Calgary. Tel: 403-228-4422.       

Leonhardt : Margaret Sommerville

 Margaret Sommerville Leonhardt  was called home to be with her Savior on September 5, 2008 at the age of 76 years.  Margaret was born on December 28, 1931 in Drumheller to John and Annie Strachan. She married Carl Alexander Leonhardt on March 24, 1956, at Grace Lutheran Church and they were blessed with three children.  Margaret is survived by one son Blaine (Kathy) Leonhardt and two daughters Anita (Brad) Mepham, and Heather (George) Sharpe, all of Drumheller; eight grandchildren, Tina and Deanna Mepham, Jennifer, Lindsay, Randy and Lexie Sharpe, Janelle and Joshua Leonhardt, one great granddaughter Hannah Mepham, one sister in law Helen (Joe) Klimek of Drumheller, and many nieces and nephews.  Margaret was predeceased by her parents, her only brother Jack, and her husband of 34 years. For many years Margaret was actively involved with her community and her church which gave her much enjoyment and fellowship.  Margaret will be remembered for her selflessness and her dedication to her family, who will miss her dearly, along with all those who knew her.  Funeral services for Margaret were held Tuesday September 9, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Curtis Boehm officiating. Interment followed at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Calgary.  If friends so desire donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.      

WILTON: Elisabeth Ann  September 6, 1937 - September 3, 2008

On September 3, Ann’s journey in this life was completed and at the age of 70 she was promoted to Glory to begin a new journey of life in Heaven. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Ann received her formal education there before moving to Canada in 1957 and to Drumheller in 1958. Ann worked at various occupations early in life and always yearned for and tried new things.  Her first job in Drumheller was at the local radio station, CJDV (now Q91) and it was during that job that she met her husband Bill and they were married on April 4, 1959. Along with her most important roles as a wife and mother, Ann also worked for the Big Country News and Kergan & Aagaard while working toward her goal of becoming an accountant and eventually opening her own accounting practice. Ann became a CMA in 1978 and while running her own accounting office her pursuit of higher education again got the best of her, and she went back to school in order to earn a law degree at the age of 50. She graduated from the University of Calgary in 1987 and after passing the Bar she opened her own law firm and accounting practice. Ann was very much involved in the community. Some of that involvement included being Corp Treasurer for the Salvation Army for 34 years, area governor for Toastmasters, serving 2 terms as a Town of Drumheller councilor, being on the start-up committee for DCTV and Ploeg Street Productions and volunteering at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Ann had a great sense of humor and always enjoyed a good joke or story. Many will remember her ability to create and tell riveting stories whether it was during Sunday school teachings or on a road trip. Ann had a number of hobbies and favorite pastimes. The highest on her list was spending time with her grandchildren and others included, reading books, doing puzzles, doing research on different places and countries to travel to (learning Spanish for one trip), photography, scrap booking and knitting. Ann was a member of Mensa and loved science fiction, Harry Potter and was a Star Trek trekkie. Ann was adventurous in the kitchen and not afraid to try something new. She was one of those cooks people love to hate. Ann could take anything and add some of this and a little of that plus a pinch and a dash or so and it would always turn out great. Whether it was a meal for two or one of her many dinner parties, she made it seem so effortless and easy. In 1999, Ann suffered a stroke which eventually led to her having to close her Law and Accounting office. With complications from that stroke she persevered, but 3 years ago moved to the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre where she received excellent care and encouragement from the nurses and staff there. Recently Ann was diagnosed with cancer and after a brief and courageous battle moved to her mansion in the sky. She will be sadly missed and forever in the hearts and thoughts of her husband Bill, daughter Jill Dyck, son Mark and grandchildren Stephanie (Nik), Jessica and Jonah & all of her family and friends. Ann was predeceased by her parents Ned & Connie and younger brother David. A service to celebrate Ann’s life, to reminisce and reaffirm our faith that we will one day meet again will be held at the Salvation Army Church, 242 - 1st Street West in Drumheller on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre or The Salvation Army in honor of Ann’s memory.