Obituary of Hilda Minkler

MINKLER Mrs. Hilda Minkler beloved wife of the Late Mr. Marvin Minkler of Yorkton, formerly of Preeceville, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2014 at Weber House at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home. She was ninety-one years of age. Mathilda (Hilda) McBride was born to David and Mary McBride in Muckrim, County Antrim, Northern Ireland on March 4, 1923. Her parents decided to immigrate to Canada, and in July of 1923 David came over first and Mary with 5 small children came to Canada a year later. The family settled in the Herbert Saskatchewan and then the Beechy, Saskatchewan area. In the dirty thirties after nine crop failures in a row the family of 8 now, moved to Sturgis Saskatchewan in the fall of 1937. In 1940, the family moved to Tadmore, Saskatchewan. There was no high school in Tadmore, so Hilda stayed home to help her Mom while her two older sisters went out working. She said this was not her calling, so with the help of a friend, she moved to Kamsack to complete her schooling and graduated in 1944. She wanted to join the army but already had older siblings in the Army and Air Force, so decided to become a teacher. She taught in a few one room and two room school houses often teaching numerous grades. On October 12, 1948, she married Marvin Minkler and together they farmed in the Preeceville area. On April 12, 1950, they were blessed with their first child, a daughter, Fayne. Three years later on April 6, 1953 they were blessed with their second child, Valerie. In 1961, Hilda and Marvin decided to sell the farm and purchased the Pioneer Hotel in Endeavour. In 1963, they were blessed with twin daughters, Danette and Danita. The hotel was either full of American hunters or Highway crews, and Hilda and Marvin worked hard to see their business prosper. In November of 1974, Marvin passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Fayne and Valerie were married and living on their own. Hilda sold the hotel and moved with Danette and Danita to Snow Lake, Manitoba in 1975 to be closer to her two older daughters. In 1976, Hilda and the twins decided to move to Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The place Hilda called home until her passing. Hilda loved socializing and enjoyed the company of her family and many friends. To her there was nothing better than enjoying a good meal, with good company. She lived in Victoria Court in Yorkton from 1987 to 2010. She organized many social gatherings in the court, coffee with the milkman, walking club, breakfast club, birthday parties and weekly suppers. There were times she thought it should be someone else's turn to do the organizing, but we all knew how much she loved doing it. Hilda was an avid sports fan. Depending on the time of the year, she was either listening to a Yorkton Terrier hockey game on the radio, cheering hard for her beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders, or analyzing the strategy of a good curling game. Hilda took pride in her Irish heritage. She always believed in the luck of the Irish, and enjoyed trying her luck at a Bingo game or two. She also mastered the art of crocheting. Hilda crocheted beautiful doilies. She was very good at it, and spent many hours making gifts for her family and friends. No project was too big or too small. Some of the pieces she created are absolutely amazing. Great keepsakes for her many loved ones. On May 12, 2014, Hilda passed away peacefully with family at her side. She is predeceased by her loving husband Marvin Minkler, daughter, Danette Laurin; parents, David and Mary McBride; sisters and brothers-in-law, Florence & Lloyd Henswold, and Elsie & Harley Peterson, brother and sister-in-law David & Doris McBride, brother, Bert McBride, and brother-in-law, Bill Sacho, and two great nephews. Hilda is survived by her three daughters, Fayne (Dave) Morrow, Valerie (William) Poitras and Danita (Bruce) Thurston; Son-in-law, Victor (Melina) Laurin & Nicole; Sister, Irene Sacho, and sister-in-law, Gladys McBride; Grandchildren, Colin (Sherri) Masko, Scott (Angie) Masko, Wade(Lori) Poitras, Rhonda (Jody) Lecopoy, Roxanne (Brad) Gunderson, Colleen (Mark) Fortin, Ryan Laurin & Chelsea Sacek, Rachelle Laurin, Danielle Thurston & Logan Wilk; Great grandchildren, Shayna Waite, Sara, and Claire Masko, Ashley Lecopoy, Hayden & Chloe Gunderson, Chad & Jenna Poitras, Emily, Hannah and Grace Fortin. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial folder from the funeral service may be printed under the "Memories" tab, then choose "Memorial Program". A visitation for family and friends was held on Friday, May 16, 2014 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Betty-Lou Skogen of the United Church of Canada officiating. A tribute and words of remembrance were given by daughter, Danita Thurston. A poem and scripture was read by granddaughter, Colleen Fortin. Special musical selections ‘Where the Roses Never Fade' and ‘Flowers for Mama' were sung by son in law, Willie Poitras. The organist, Amanda Buhler led the congregation in the singing of the hymns ‘Amazing Grace' and ‘How Great Thou Art'. The casketbearers and honourary bearers were Hilda's grandchildren, Colin Masko, Scott Masko, Roxanne Gunderson, Colleen Fortin, Rhonda Lecopoy, Wade Poitras, Ryan Laurin, Rachelle Laurin and Danielle Thurston. Interment followed in the Preeceville Town Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Hilda may be made towards the activity programs for Weber House at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home or to the Sturgis and District Care Home as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com Service Information Friday, May 16th, 2014 7:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Details: Service Extra Info 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. Saturday, May 17th, 2014 11:00am, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Preeceville Cemetery