Barnes
Annette (Schmidt) Barnes was born on Oct. 20, 1938 at Coronation, Ab. and was the youngest child of Henry and Nettie Schmidt. She was welcomed home by four older siblings: Henry, Jean, Wilma and Pete.
She spent her childhood on the farm by Talbot, Ab. and often spoke of riding on the horse behind her big brother Henry to attend the Talbot School. She later rode the school bus to attend high school at Brownfield.
Annette was a member of the Brownfield Beef Club and Talbot Garden Club for years. She was very proud when she won grand champion with her prized Black Angus steer in 1957.
This didn’t sit all that well with her new father-in-law as he was a confirmed Hereford man.
Annette married Ron Barnes on Aug. 15, 1956 and moved to the farm north of Brownfield, Ab. which she called home for 50 years.
To this union, five children were born: Keith, Kathy, Lucy, Stan and Kelly.
Quite often the family would all load up in the truck and head down to the river pasture to check cows.
‘Dad took pleasure in scaring Mom driving on side hills and ‘going with a truck where most people wouldn’t even ride a horse.’
Annette enjoyed being outdoors and spent hours working in the yard; between raising children, chickens and having a large garden, she was a busy lady.
She was determined to have a weeping birch tree and after fighting with the weather, pigs and bulls that escaped once in a while, she finally succeeded.
She also made countless road trips taking one or all of the five kids to ball games. Anntte played ball as well and won a gold medal playing ladies fastball at the Alberta Summer Games in 1974.
She joined the Brownfield United Church Women (UCW) and also helped with the Brownfield Ladies Aid over the years.
She enjoyed riding her horse when she could find time and was a member of the Brownfield Curling community.
Annette and Ron were both members of the Parkland Players, a group of local people who entertained at many community functions.
‘With five kids, someone had to discipline and that usually fell on Mom’.
Weeding the garden or plucking chickens were common jobs for teenagers who had been out a little too late the previous night.
One child usually pulled the “I can’t – I’m going to be sick” card when it came to doing chickens but so did dad.
As the kids grew up Annette worked at various jobs including the Brownfield Post Office, the Brownfield Store and the janitor for Apache.
She really enjoyed her years as the librarian at the Brownfield School and often commented about how several of the former students still spoke to her and laughed about different antics from days at the library.
After Ron’s passing in 2001, Annette stayed on the farm until her eyesight and health began to deteriorate.
She moved to Coronation where she made new friends and enjoyed many afternoons and evenings drinking tea, visiting and playing cards, first in the manor, then the Designated Supportive Living (DSL) and finally the Long Term Care.
She often said how lucky she was to live at DSL.
‘Mom really enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was known as Grannie Annie to other kids in the community as well.’
Annette passed away peacefully on April 11, 2019 at the age of 80 years.
She was predeceased by her husband Ron, parents Henry and Nettie, siblings Henry, Wilma, Jean and her husband Winton, in-laws Jim and Hilda Barnes and 10 Barnes brothers and sisters and their spouses: Evelyn and Edwin Wilson, Bud and Louise Wakefield, Hugh and Marion McLarty, Bill Barnes, Cecil Caseley, Lila Barnes and Don Buehler.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Keith (Lynn), Kathy (Glen), Lucy (Brian), Stan (Deb) and Kelly (Gail).
Also her grandchildren: Jordan (Aimee), Blair, Shiana (Rob), B (Alix), Brittany, Justin (Nikki), Chris (Sarah), Robyn, Lara (Kyle), Quinton (Kristi) and Kelsy (Lucas).
Her great-grandchildren: Ella, Tegan, Aliza, Hayden, Hunter, Austin, Kayde, Adriana, Adalynne, Kassidy, Callen and Jerrod.
She is also survived by her brother Pete (Alaline), brother-in- law David Glasier and sister-in-law Betty; the Barnes siblings: Bob (Doreen), Reg (Betty), Sadie Caseley, Dorothy (Doug) Noad; sister-in-law Rose Barnes; numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.
A private graveside service was held at Coronation Cemetery and a gathering and reception was held at the Brownfield Rec Centre on April 20, 2019.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
Memorial donations may be made to the Brownfield Rec Centre, STARS or charity of the donor’s choice.
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.
403-578-3777
Card of Thanks
The family would like to thank everyone who came to the luncheon and to the doctors and staff of the DSL and Long Term Care in Coronation for the wonderful care she received over the years.
Thanks also to everyone who helped get the hall and lunch organized.
We are so lucky to be part of such a caring community.
Special thanks to Pastor Allan Richardson for his comforting words.
