Obituary of Leona Neufeld

July 8, 1938 – December 11, 2016 Leona Veronica Neufeld, age 78, of Hague, SK, passed away on December 11, 2016. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Al Neufeld; children, Rhonda (Eric) Dueck, Russell (Connie) Neufeld, Lynn (Ron) Friesen, Ang (Trace) Goertzen; grandchildren Ryan (Rachelle) Dueck, Tyler (Jessi) Dueck, Shayne (Jessica) Dueck, Branden (Ashlea) Neufeld, Clayton Neufeld, Nick (Brittany) Friesen, Adam Friesen (Jacy Smith), Jill Friesen (Ken Wiebe), Alyssa Goertzen, Mitchell Goertzen; great-grandchildren Jadyn, Ashtyn, Ryder, and Chanel Dueck, Gavin, Addison, and Elizabeth Dueck, Jane and Jordan Dueck, Aurelia Neufeld, Ryker Friesen; siblings and in-laws Wilma (George) Andres, Rosa Rolfe, Roger (Cher) Epp, Helen Friesen, Menno Neufeld, Ed (Yvonne) Neufeld, Bill Zacharias, Tony (Jacqueline) Funk, Alma (Dick) Sawatzky, Steve (Leanne) Epp, Irene (Vic) Willms, Les Neufeld, and Laura Neufeld. She was predeceased by her parents Peter K. & Annie Epp; parents-in-law Herman and Margaret Neufeld; brothers Vernon Epp, Delmer Epp; in-laws Erna Zacharias, Gladys Funk, Marilyn Epp, Rick Neufeld, Don Rolfe, Henry Friesen, Verna Neufeld, and Marge Neufeld. Mom was born on July 8, 1938, to Peter K. and Annie Epp, and grew up on a farm near Laird. She graduated high school at the age of 16, a year earlier than normal, by completing two grades in one year. She went on to Teacher’s College, which she completed before her eighteenth birthday. Mom taught in Wingard, Hague, Passchendaele, and Dalmeny during her years as a teacher; it was while teaching in Hague that she met Dad. Wieler’s grocery store was where they met for the first time. Dad walked in with a friend, took one look at Mom, and said, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry, or know the reason why.” I guess she didn’t have a good “reason why”, because they were married July 1, 1958 in Laird Mennonite Church. It was a Tuesday, Canada Day, and apparently still a workday, as Grandpa Epp had his future son in law helping him build a driveway with an elevating grader until noon. Throughout their 58 years of marriage, they lived in Saskatoon and Dalmeny before settling in Hague in 1962. That year would mark the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our parents, with the start of Al Neufeld Sand & Gravel. Initially only hauling sand and gravel, the business quickly evolved to include the production of ready-mix concrete. Mom’s “official” job with the business was running the office, but she “unofficially” made up the public-relations department. She continued the office work until 1991 when they sold the business to Russ and Connie to carry on the family tradition. The time during the early years of marriage was largely taken up by running a business and raising a family, but it was during this time that they built their cabin at Dore Lake. If “home is where the heart is”, this was definitely a second home to Mom and Dad. Built in 1973, the cabin served as a reprieve and sanctuary, as well as the backdrop to many of the special memories Mom’s family and friends have of her. Russ stumbled across Camp Carmel, met Bernie and Marge Palmer and offered that Mom would play piano at church. The church family there was also very special to Mom, and after her initial nervousness she loved the opportunity to play the piano. She loved music, playing piano and singing, and spent many hours playing for Dad. Mom also loved to travel. Sometimes they visited other countries purely as a holiday, but often they were found abroad serving on short-term missions’ trips; they took part in their first one in 1979. There were many more missions’ trips to follow, and these took them to Mexico, Guadalupe, Thailand, and the States, not to mention the various volunteer projects within Canada that they were involved in over the years. Many of the friendships made while doing missions work are still maintained to this day. Many more friendships were made through Mom and Dad buying a hunting lodge at Smoothstone Lake in the early 90’s. Here, while operating the lodge, Mom could share her love of cooking, baking, and conversation with the hunters. I think these hunters would agree that her butter tarts and pie-by-the-yard were second-to-none. In regards to their travel bug, it settled in Mexico during their later years. Mom and Dad began spending most of the winter months there. In between times of relaxation, they built a house, and donated their time and money to various building projects. They anticipated that this winter was going to be the first year that they were not going to be able to make the trip, but Mazatlán had become another home away from home, where many joyous times were shared with their loved ones and many friendships were formed. Looking back at the life of Mom, the work, the play, the travel, and the friendships, we see a woman who lived a full life. But I have yet to mention her two biggest passions: her faith, and her family. Leona’s faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was a strong one, and she prayed daily for each of her kids, grandkids, and great-grands. She was a loving wife to Al for 58 years; in a world that says it’s easier to just quit when things get tough, their marriage displayed a love and commitment that goes far deeper than emotion. Mom and Dad wasted no time after their wedding, and had three children in the first four years; they waited a few years before having the fourth. Mom loved her children with all of her heart, and encouraged them in their passions. She gave them countless memories to treasure, such as making Halloween costumes, sewing the girls matching dresses, playing piano while the kids sang, teaching them how to cook and bake, and many, many hours of conversation. While she may have felt her life was full of love with her husband and children, a very special joy entered her life with the arrival of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nothing could light up her face more than to see one of them walking up to her door for a visit. She got to hold her newest one on the Saturday night before she died and the smile on her face said it all. Mom’s family was far and away the most important earthly thing to her. She loved them selflessly and unconditionally, and she was loved in return. What a wonderful legacy, to have raised her children to love and serve the Lord. In this way she will continue to be a blessing through the generations, and her faith will continue to produce fruit in this world. Her wish was to see her family in heaven, and she did her best to put them all on that path. She served her Lord, her church, and her family well. Wife, Mom, Grandma, Nana, Aunty, sister, and friend, you will be missed, but we praise God for all the time that we had here with you, and we praise Him for the time that’s coming, when we will see you again. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016, at 2:00 P.M. at Hague Mennonite Church. Interment will take place at Hague Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Youth Farm Bible Camp, Box 636, Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0 or online at yfbc.com. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK (306-232-5245, http://www.funksfuneralhome.ca).