SCHEFFELMAIER
As Written by Gwen Scheffelmaier
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, and sister Gwendoline “Gwen” Scheffelmaier (née Cole) of Sylvan Lake, Alberta passed away peacefully, with family by her side, at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre – Long Term Care on Monday, February 5, 2024, at the age of 94 years and 3 days.
Gwen was born on February 2, 1930 in Coronation, Alberta, the daughter of Glen and Hilda Cole. She attended the Bonny Doone country school to Grade 9, and then obtained her high school education by correspondence courses at her parent’s home. During the teacher shortage, Gwen supervised school for Grades 1 to 9, riding horseback four miles from home. She was married to her school friend and neighbour, Albert Scheffelmaier, on December 29, 1951; and to this union were born two sons Ken and Larry, and a daughter Connie.
Gwen enjoyed participating in sports such as ladies softball, playing on the Silver Heights ladies team for many years. She also took up curling when the Brownfield, Alberta rink was built. Gwen worked with the Brownfield Ladies Aid Group that held meetings, strawberry teas, and made quilts. When that group faded, she joined a group that made quilts for the Mustard Seed. Gwen professed her faith in Jesus in her teenage years, teaching Sunday School and helping with Vacation Bible School.
Gwen and Albert lived on their farm for over 60 years. She loved gardening, planting trees, and landscaping the yard. She also cherished the coffee times that were spent with neighbours and friends. Gwen took pleasure in playing cards at home, or at the social events held in the Silver Heights and Brownfield areas. She and Albert belonged to the New Dawn Club, where they played various games that usually ended with lunch.
They also enjoyed every holiday trip; whether in Alberta, the United States, Jamaica, or Mexico. Gwen and Albert moved to Sylvan Lake in 2011 to join some of their family; where they adapted well, meeting new friends and spending coffee time with them. They also joined the senior’s club in Sylvan Lake and attended the Alliance Community Church, enjoying the fellowship of their friends there.
Gwen leaves to mourn, her husband of 72 years, Albert; two sons Ken (Randi) and Larry; and her daughter Connie (Dan); as well as ten grandchildren Andrea (Kelly), Brett (Lisa), Jonathan, Rebekah (Charlie), Stephanie (Rolly), Sasha (Eric), Julia (Matt), David (Anita), Cody (Alicia), and Brandon (Chantell); and seventeen great-grandchildren Kendra, Kyle, Alexis, Brielle, Sophie, Keira, Ezra, Darius, Forest, Arwen, Willamina, Aries, Hunter, Blake, Keaton, Kaden, and Adley. She also leaves behind her sister Evelyn Leskiw; and her in-laws Marie, Helen, Esther (Alvin), Don, Shirley (Bill), Linda (Leo), and Dianne; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Gwen was predeceased by her parents Glen and Hilda Cole; son-in-law Hugh Symons; parents-in-law Adolf and Molly Scheffelmaier; two brothers Art and Len Cole; several in-laws Bill Harding, Erv and Verna Altheim, Sam, Herb, and Richard Scheffelmaier, Jean Geddes, Russ Leskiw, and Myrtle and Islen Cole; along with her best friend Ellen Biette.
A Memorial Service in Celebration of Gwen’s Life will be held at the Alliance Community Church, 4404 – 47 Avenue, Sylvan Lake on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Allan Richardson officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Fairfield Cemetery, near Brownfield, Alberta at a later date. If desired, memorial donations in Gwen’s memory may be made directly to the Brownfield Baptist Church, Box 28, Brownfield, Alberta T0C 0R0 (www.brownfieldchurch.ca); or to the Fairfield Cemetery, c/o Hugh McLarty, Box 550, Coronation, Alberta T0C 1C0. Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.
Service and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Gwendoline “Gwen” Scheffelmaier entrusted to the care of
