JOHNSTON, Maureen
April 26, 1936 - October 10, 2009
Maureen was born in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta on April 26, 1936. They returned to the family farm near Hastings Coulee, 10 miles southwest of Forestburg, Alberta. Maureen's first few years of school were at Hastings Coulee and after consolidation continued in Forestburg until she started working. For several years following school, she helped in different households in the area doing full time housekeeping and babysitting. In 1956, Maureen met Derald Johnston and they were married in 1958. The young couple soon started a family while moving to several different communities including Stettler, Forestburg, Blackfalds and the Stenson family farm, before settling in Stettler in 1965. Norm and Rosann had been born in 1959 and 1961 and both started and finished school in Stettler. Between the children, beloved cats and the home based sales of TriChem, Regal and various other products, Maureen kept herself busy. Eventually the children were grown and out starting their own lives. Norm was married to Glenda in 1986 and grandchildren Dillon and Ashley were born. Maureen was ever so proud of her grandchildren and was very happy to be able to attend both of their High School Graduations in 2006 and 2007. She encouraged both in their endeavours after high school with Dillon becoming the yard foreman at a local lumber yard and Ashley with her pursuit of Degrees in Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science from the University of Lethbridge. Rosann held down several different jobs over the years acquiring a vast and varied amount of knowledge and abilities. Rosey enjoys wood crafting, camping and the company of her niece and nephew and the four legged troubles she calls pets. Maureen enjoyed the company of cats as well but put aside her prejudice to share a recent visit with her granddaughter Ashley's puppy named Diesel. Mom spent the last several years in Willow Creek Lodge and Heritage House in Stettler and passed away peacefully in the early evening of October 10, 2009 with her family by her side. Although Mom is no longer with us, we will always remember her warm smile and the love in her heart. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten. We love you Mom, take care.
Maureen is survived by her children Norman Earl Johnston and Rosann Marie Johnston; grandchildren: Dillon Bradley Johnston and Ashley Dawn Ruth Johnston; Derald Earl Johnston; sister Deloras (Alfred Kroetsch); nieces and nephews: Dean Kroetsch (Cindy), Rosalie (Greg Klein), Gail (Darren Olofson), Gary Kroetsch (Cara), Bruce McLellan, Jody McLellan (Donna); and good friend Manuel Heer; as well as great nieces, great nephews, numerous cousins, other relatives and a host of good friends. She was predeceased by her father, Carl Stenson, mother, Verdie Stenson (Shillinglaw), adopted brother, Eugene Stenson, father-in-law, Orville Johnston, mother in law Jean, sister-in-law, Iona McLellan and nephew, Patrick McLellan. Maureen was laid to rest in the Hastings Coulee Cemetery, Forestburg, Alberta at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 10, 2009. Pallbearers were Dillon Johnston, Bruce McLellan, Dean Kroetsch, Gary Kroetsch, Darren Olofson, Greg Klein, Russell Lyle and Ken Strome. A Celebration of Life was held at 2:00 PM in the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta with Pastor Ross Helgeton of Erskine Evangelical Free Church officiating. Organist Evelyn Strandquist played for the congregational hymns "Amazing Grace" and "Shall We Gather At The River." Happy Gang 2 accompanied by Elaine Hennel sang the processional songs "On The Wings Of A Dove" and "Don't Fence Me In". Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association in memory of Maureen or a charity of choice c/o Stettler Funeral Home, Box 1780, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0.
Sympathies may be forwarded to the family by signing the guestbook at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com.
STETTLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM,
403-742-3422, entrusted with the care and arrangements