GASCHNITZ, Eleanor Frances
January 27, 1917 - August 25, 2014
Eleanor Frances Gaschnitz passed away at the Drumheller Hospital on August 25, 2014. She was born on January 27, 1917 in her Grandpa and Grandma Schriner’s brick house at Belle River Road, Township St. Clair, County of China, near Marine City, Michigan. She was the second of five children born to Spencer and Frances Chambers and was raised at the foot of the Handhills east of Drumheller. Eleanor married Jim Gaschnitz in 1936 and they farmed together in the Verdant Valley District until his passing in 1983. She resided on the farm and continued to help with the farm and ranch work whenever she could. She was an accomplished sewer, very good at mathematics, a patient person, and was called upon many a time to solve problems that would keep the rest of us up at night. She loved the harvest season, was an excellent cook and enjoyed helping with meals taken to the field. As a gardener, her beautiful front yard and lily pond gave her years of enjoyment. Eleanor was instrumental in founding the Homestead Museum in Drumheller. She was an expert in identifying, researching and repairing artifacts displayed in the Museum. Eleanor was very active in the Verdant Valley Community and was in Unifarm, Women of Unifarm, Drumheller and Dorcas WI, Verdant Valley Home and School Association, and the Verdant Valley Agricultural Society. She faithfully attended Knox United Church in Drumheller for nearly 50 years. Eleanor leaves to mourn her passing her daughter and son-in-law Toni and Jim Wilson, three grandchildren, Derrick (Connie), Loretta Wilson, and Gloria (Kelly) Anderson, and three great grandchildren, Dalan, Avril and Kasen. She will be missed by her brother and sister-in-law Ken and Phyllis Chambers and many nieces and nephews. Eleanor was predeceased by her parents Spencer and Frances Chambers, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold and Gertrude Chambers and Gordon and Elsie Chambers, one sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Tom Cunningham. A Celebration of Life will be held for Eleanor on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. from the Cretaceous Conference Centre, (1103-Hwy 9 South Drumheller) with Mr. Harold Hunter officiating. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Homestead Museum Society, Box 3154, Drumheller, Alberta T0J 0Y0, Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Homes are in care of the arrangements.