VOLKER
Elsie Pearl McNeill was born February 22, 1919 to Malcolm and Emily McNeill in Consort, Alberta.
When she was 18 years old Pearl started working for Lester and Beulah Lohr at Erskine, Alberta. This is where she met the hired man "Don Volker" whom she married on December 31, 1939. To this union seven children were born, six girls and one boy. After raising her family she began house cleaning in Stettler for various families. She also spent ten years working alongside her husband as a janitor at the Erskine School.
Pearl belonged to the Union Hall Good Times Club while they resided in the Union Hall district. When they moved into Erskine she was a member of the U.C.W. where she was recognized for 50 years of dedicated service. Pearl was a faithful member of the Marvella Rebekah Lodge, holding many positions within the club. Some of her favorite activities were: playing pool (in her younger years), floor curling, dancing, playing cards, camping and singing around the camp fire with lots of friends and family.
In 2002 she moved into Heart Haven Lodge in Stettler where she resided until her passing. Pearl passed away on September 15, 2013 in the Stettler Health Care Centre at the age of 94 years.
Pearl was predeceased by her parents Malcolm and Emily McNeill, husband Don Volker, siblings Bob (Marj) McNeill, Mary (Claire) Stevens, Eva (Howard) Volker, infant sister and infant brother, sons in law Martin Bauman and Dale Barclay, grandsons baby Timothy Gardner and Warren Bauman and great great granddaughter Emily Humbke.
She is survived by her daughters: Marlene Bauman (Alec), Carole Barclay, Bev Bauman (Gordon), Elaine Cornelssen (Bob), Barb Gardner (Stan), Brenda Reinbold (Dave) and son Allyn Volker (Wendy); 21 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and 23 great great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held at the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Susan Bowyer officiating. Tributes were given by Barry Stevens and Memories of Grandma were presented by grandchildren Debbie Waugh and Marvin Bauman. Musical Tributes were presented by Marlene Bauman, Alec Salmon, Lane Damberger and Dave Reinbold. Organist Evelyn Strandquist played for the hymns and for soloist Dorothy Hebert as she sang "In the Garden."
Following the service family and friends gathered in the Heartland Reception Centre for a time of fellowship and a luncheon by the Union Hall Ladies. Interment took place at Erskine Cemetery where she was laid to rest with her grandsons as Pallbearers Duane Bauman, Marvin Bauman, Terry Barclay, Kerwin Cornelssen, Kelvin Cornelssen, Don Gardner and Kory Reinbold. Honorary Pallbearers were all her beloved grandchildren and her cherished family and friends. The family sang one of Pearl's favorite songs "You Are My Sunshine."
Memorial donations may be made to the Erskine Cemetery, Erskine UCW or to S.T.A.R.S., c/o Box 1780, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0. Condolences may be viewed or sent to the family by going to www.stettlerfuneralhome.com