SCHERMERHORN, Deborah (Dolly)
September 27, 1934 - August 5, 2012
Deborah (Dolly), daughter of Clarence and Deborah Bakken was born at Tompkins, SK, on September 27, 1934. She was to be the only natural child born to this union. Sometime later Deb and Clarence decided to adopt to complete their family. Dolly became the big sister to two small boys, Lenord Keith and Wayne. She had a happy and busy childhood helping with the many chores as well as tending to the boys. Clarence ran a threshing crew and raised Chinchillas to help with finances. Sadly, at the tender age of sixteen, Dolly lost her mother to cancer. Life was tough enough in the forties without having to raise 2 small boys without a mother. This experience is probably what molded Dolly into the strong caring woman that she became. Dolly left home at eighteen to live and work in Regina, returning as often as possible to see her family. She met and married Robert Schermerhorn in March of 1954. When they started their new life together, Bob decided to find employment with the Arrow Oil Company working in the oilfield. At that time when the rigs moved, so did the families. They purchased a mobile home and away they went. It was a tough and exciting life as they traveled throughout Alberta, meeting many life long friends. It was in Stettler, AB, the couple welcomed their first child, a boy, Clarence Harvey. Moving from one oil town to another became their routine. While in Fort St. John, the family was completed with the arrival of their daughter, Betty Ann. Dolly told the story of when she was alone at the trailer with a new baby and heard someone trying to get in. She looked out the window only to find a big brown bear eating out of the garbage barrel right beside the door. Now being from the prairies she wasn’t just too sure how to handle this situation. She thought about chasing it with a broom but soon realized this wasn’t the thing to do. So she took the kids to the bedroom and waited it out. I can only imagine the tongue lashing Bob got when he arrived home from work. Being tired of travel and insecurity of the oil patch led to the decision to take over the McPhee ranch which they purchased from Dolly’s aunt. It was here they raised their family in a great community. Dolly became Jack! Jack of all trades. She always planted a huge garden, raised chickens, helped with the farming, ran with the kids and still found time to belong to the local ladies club. When the children were grown, they moved to Gull Lake as did most of their neighbors. They commuted to the farm for many years until Bob passed away in 2005. Dolly battled a vascular condition in her right hand for many years until finally they decided amputation was the only way to continue with any quality of life. She met this challenge as she had many before. Betty remembers her saying that you could sit around feeling sorry for yourself or get up, dust yourself off and keep going. That became the family motto. While convalescing from her surgery, an old friend came calling. Lorne and Dolly soon became close. It was good to see the sparkle in her eye and the smile return to her face. Dolly left Gull Lake to make a new home in Drumheller, AB. Here she not only had a new companion but a whole new family that embraced her. Betty always teased her that it was supposed to be the kids that grew up and left home, not the parents. The biggest joys in Dolly’s life were her grandchildren, Jason, Ashley, Amy and Ty and her great-grandchild, Keagan. She answered to many names such as Granny Cat, Blue Gramma or just plain Granny. Harv and Betty thank Lorne and his family for embracing their mother and helping them through this sad time. They feel your love for their mother and know you are hurting as much as them. Harv and Betty and their families also thank everyone for attending Dolly’s service. Your attendance only fortifies their knowledge of the great community in which they live.
Dolly is survived by her son Harvey (Heather) Schermerhorn, Shaunavon, SK and his children Ashley Amy and TY, her Daughter Betty (Lloyd) Klassen, Gull Lake, SK, Grandson Jason (Lisa) Klassen, Leduc, AB and her Great Grandson Keagan, her Brother Wayne (Marion) Bakken, Tompkins, SK, Plus numerous in-laws and Nieces and Nephews. Dolly is Predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years Robert Schermerhorn, her parents Clarence and Deborah Bakken, her Brother Len Kieth Bakken, stepmother Stella Rayner Bakken. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, August 10, 2012 at 2:00 pm from the Gull Lake Community Hall, Gull Lake, SK with Funeral Celebrant Bernadette Schneider officiating. Musical selection for the processional was “The Rose” and “The Tennessee Waltz” for the recessional. Soloist Louanne Schultz sang, “Love Can Build a Bridge” and “I Hope You Can Dance”. The ushers for the service were Conner Graham, Colby Graham, Pam Kirwan and Jenna Kirwan. The Interment Service was held at the Tompkins Cemetery, Tompkins, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Brad White, Ken Kirwan, Rick Vaughn, Steven Metz, Cameron Graham and Lloyd Reed. In memory of Dolly Schermerhorn, donations made to the Autumn House, Gull Lake, SK would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home.
