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MORLOCK, Lydia


Lydia was born March 2, 1921 in Odessa, Russia to John and Caroline Hohenacher. Her mother died of typhoid fever when Lydia was only 26 days old. She, her brother Rudolf and sister Emma were cared for by their grandparents until their father remarried.

Two more sisters were born in Russia prior to the Bolshevik war. One of the girls died at age 2. The family decided to move to Canada to escape the war. In May 1928 they started their journey by ship and docked in Halifax in June. They crossed Canada to Alberta by train and were received by a host family at Delia.

The family worked as hired help on a farm for many years until they could afford to buy their own farm. At age 15, Lydia worked as a hired girl for a family that had a new baby as well as other children. Her job was to look after the two older children, cooking and cleaning. Her wages were twenty dollars for the whole month; she lived with the family and had no days off.

As she got older she had other housekeeping jobs and worked as a cook for the Morlock Threshing Outfit. Here she met Henry Morlock, who became her husband on February 18, 1941.

Chester was born in November 1941 and Louise in June of 1943. Work on the farm was hard as much of the machinery was still horse-drawn. She would put an apple box on a little wagon to put her two little ones in while she was in the field stooking. Penny was born June 1954 and Jack in December 1963. Henry suffered from emphysema and needed a lot of care. This also meant that more of the farm work landed on her shoulders, even though Chester remained at home. Henry passed away in March 1975.

She was able to see a bit of the country with visits and holidays to various places in BC, AB, MB and the US.

She loved her children and always encouraged you to do better. When I asked her what was her greatest accomplishment. Her answer was "my children, I loved having and raising my children. I am proud of what they have become. I know I wasn't always the best mom, I made my share of mistakes, but I did the best I could." She was able to attend weddings and graduations of many of her grandchildren as well as ballet recitals of her first great granddaughter and kindergarten grad of great grandson. She would always leave them with a word of wisdom and encouragement.

We will truly miss our dear mother but each and every day she will be with us in all we do, remembering that in some way she has had such a great influence on who we are. We look forward to the time when we will meet again in Jehovah's new world. Lydia passed away on November 23, 2016 at the Red Deer Hospice at the age of 95 years.

She will forever be missed by her family: Louise Desjarlais, Penny (Tom) Mottus and Jack (Darilyn) Morlock;

8 grandchildren: Crystal, Cheryl, Colleen Desjarlais and their spouses; Leanna, David, Corey Mottus and their spouses; Justin, Jaden Morlock; and 8 great grandchildren: Dean, Owen, Brianna, Jaren, Carson, Carli, Ethan, Emma; sisters Katie (Ted) Allen and Anne Brain; other relatives, neighbours and many dear friends. Lydia was predeceased by her husband Henry in March 1975; her son Chester in December 2013; brothers Rudolf Hohenacker, Art Hohenacker, Gilbert Hohenacker; sisters Emma Kievit and Hilda Hohenacker.

Funeral services were held at the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 2:00 PM led by Mr. Lyle McMillan. Lydia was laid to rest at Byemoor Cemetery at 11:00 AM, beside her husband her son with Wayne Deigel, Wesley Deigel, Bradley Deigel, David Mottus, Chad Harbak and Josh Kilkenny serving as Pallbearers. Family and friends gathered in the Heartland Reception Centre for a time of fellowship and a luncheon by Brenda's Catering. Memorial donations may be made to the Red Deer Hospice, 99 Arnot Ave., Red Deer, AB T4R 3S6. Condolences can be sent to the family at

www.stettlerfuneralhome.com

STETTLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM

entrusted with the care and funeral service. 403-742-3422



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