CHRISTIANS
Mary Hazel (Lattery)
Mary Hazel Lattery was born on October 6, 1926 to Leo and Lena Lattery on the family farm north of Stettler. She attended Vimy Ridge School until grade 9. As with all the other children of the time she either walked or rode a horse to school. It was during her school days that Mary became known as "quite the horse racer" beating everyone else home whether she rode the best or the worst of the horses. Although Mary was a petite girl it was common knowledge not to run a foul of her as she had a quick temper and a fast right hook which resulted in a young man’s nose being broken. It was while Mary was attending school that she developed a life long passion for smoking. Mary left school at the end of grade 9 and started doing domestic work in the surrounding neighbourhood. Mary loved to attend dances and play cards at community functions. During a dance at Red Willow she caught the eye of a young man from Red Willow and a year later on April 5, 1945 she was married to Earl Christians. Earl was employed as a farm hand and Mary was now a housewife. On May 14, 1946 Wayne was born and Mary was now a mother. Three years later on April 10, 1949 Deloris was born. In the late forties and early fifties the oil boom was on so Earl and Mary packed up and headed to Leduc to make their fortune. This lasted until Mary got tired of Earl working shift work and said that this was no way to raise a family and it was back to Stettler and farming. They purchased a farm in the Fritz Hill district and settled down to the farming life. On September 19, 1954 the family grew again with the arrival of Sherry. Life on the farm was tough with Mary milking cows, raising chickens, growing a huge garden, feeding livestock and doing whatever had to be done. Mary used to say “she was an unpaid hired hand.” Although money may have been tight, Mary always made sure the family had plenty to eat and no visitors left hungry. On August 10, 1963 the family was complete with the birth of Craig. Many a good time was had on the farm playing cards with friends, neighbours and in laws. Also snowmobiling, camping, fishing and traveling to BC were very important to them. Mary even tried her hand at wine making of which many friends and family can attest to. Mary was a member of the Fritz Hill and Linda Hall ladies clubs. In 1974 Earl and Mary sold their farm and moved into Stettler where they built a new house. After the house was finished Mary enjoyed bowling, making crafts and as the years went by they traveled to various points in the US and Canada. Mary was predeceased by her parents Leo and Lena Lattery, husband Earl (1991), son Craig (2007), son in law Leo Hermary (2009), brothers Lewis, Jim, sisters Jean, Edith and special friend Ray Smith. Mary is survived by her son Wayne (Jeanette) of Okanagan Falls, BC, daughters Deloris of Red Deer and Sherry (Bill) of Stettler; grandsons: Shawn (Sharla) Campbell of Wetaskiwin, Cory Christians of Vancouver, Mike (Donna) Ackerman of Lethbridge; granddaughters Daina (Clive) Goodinson of Vancouver, Teri of Red Deer; great granddaughters Shelesa and Shyrel Campbell of Wetaskiwin; brother John (Florence) Lattery of Stettler; special and dear friends Pat and Metro Watamaniuk of Stettler, Gwen Stenberg of Stettler; other relatives and numerous friends and her beloved cat Misty. A funeral service for the late Mary Christians was held on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM with Reverend Debbie Stockdale of Stettler United Church officiating. Great granddaughter Shyrel Campbell accompanied by WCHS Concert and Jazz Choir sang prelude selections and a solo. Elaine Hennel accompanied the congregational hymn “Jesus Loves Me.” Friends and family gathered in the Heartland Fellowship Hall for a time of refreshments and sharing of memories. Mary was laid to rest beside her husband Earl and son Craig in the Red Willow Cemetery, Red Willow, Alberta. As we say goodbye to Mary, who was a daughter, a friend, a lover, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, the family asks that donations be made to the Red Willow Cemetery Club, Box 35, Donalda, AB T0B 1H0 or an organization of your choice c/o Stettler Funeral Home and Crematorium, Box 1780, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by signing the guestbook at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com
STETTLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM
entrusted with the care and arrangements. For further information please call 403-742-3422.