Early Friday morning, October 21, 2022, our beloved mum, grandma, and great grandma, Marie Evangeline Hertes peacefully left our world at the age of 97 years.
Marie Evangeline Karcha was born August 21, 1925, on the family farm near Lady Lake Saskatchewan, the third youngest of nine children. Alongside her siblings, she grew up on the farm and attended Sunny Brae school. After reaching adulthood, Marie and her adventurous spirit set out to see what life had to offer. The early 1940s had her in Hamilton Ontario working at the Mount Hamilton Sanitorium, then at the Toronto General Hospital. In 1945 she purchased an Indian motorcycle and, with a couple friends, drove from Hamilton to the farm in Lady Lake. From there she was off to work at the Fort Sanitorium in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, then in 1949 at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In the early 1950s, she returned to Ontario and worked in fishing camps. While in Hoot’s Resort she found a baby deer and, animal lover that she was, shipped “Bambi” by rail to the farm in Lady Lake! From there she worked in the Pas, Manitoba hospital, then onto adventures in Vancouver and Prince George, British Columbia. In 1955, while working for the Canadian National Railway as a cookie (assistant cook) for a welding gang, she met the love of her life: Edward Hertes.
In November 1956, Marie and Ed married in Preeceville, Saskatchewan, and Marie Evangeline Hertes transitioned into her best job ever – homemaker and mother. Richard Edward Hertes was born in July 1957, David Wayne Hertes in August 1959, and Kenneth Mark Hertes in March 1964. Three boys raised on perogies, cabbage rolls, and “kenittle” soup. Ed’s job with the railway had them regularly on the move to various communities in Saskatchewan: Odessa, Lampman, Mair, Dundurn, Odessa, Claybank, Odessa, Avonlea (where Rick and David graduated high school), and, lastly, Moose Jaw (where Ken graduated high school).
Marie’s beloved Ed passed away in 1982, and her “baby” Ken in 2009. She lived in their house on Smith Steet until 2007 when, for health reasons, she sold the house and moved to Château St. Michael’s, and eventually to Extendicare Moose Jaw. In both care homes, due to her bawdy sense of humour, she quickly became a favourite of the staff and other residents.
Marie is also predeceased by her daughter-in-law Susan Hertes (née Keller); parents Harry and Dominica “Dora” Karcha (née Predy); brother George; sister-in-law Lena (née Eftodie); sister Irene; brother-in-law August Gogal; brother Gordon; sister Anne; brother-in-law Bill Bilokrely; sister Tena; brother-in-law Joe Romanchuk; brother Johnnie; sister-in-law Pearl (née Olson); brother Metro; sister-in-law Bernice (née Freed); and brother Paul.
Left to cherish our mum’s memory are sons Rick and David; daughter-in-law Sandra Hertes; granddaughter Shanna (Mike) Heistad; great-grandsons Brayden, Josh, Hudson Heistad; and grandson Aaron Hertes (Dayle Haye) and her best friend Tammy Boileau.
Mum oft referred to herself as a tough old bird. Well, our tough old bird has now gained her wings, with which she is powering her way to the heavens to reunite with her Edward, her Ken, her Suzy, and all the rest of her family and friends gone before her.
Marie’s family is forever grateful to the staff at Château St. Michael’s and Extendicare Moose Jaw for their care and companionship they provided to our mum over the years. They are truly a dedicated bunch of fine people.
A celebration of Marie’s life will be held at W.J. Jones & Son Chapel on Friday, November 4th at 1:00PM with interment to follow at Rosedale Cemetery.
Marie was a true cat-lady. Not only did she pamper her own pussycats, but any strays in the vicinity knew where they could come for a meal and a cuddle. So, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marie’s memory to SCRAPS (Stray Cat Rescue and Protection Society), Box 1653, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7K7.
In living memory of Marie, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Ltd. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.jonesparkview.com (Obituaries).
Chrystine Dacey- Funeral Director