Wakefield
Pearl Estelle Wakefield, a dear loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully on June 15, 2019 at the Coronation Long Term Care with her family by her side.
Pearl was born in Medicine Hat, Alta. on Sept. 26, 1919, the third of six children in the family of John and Rosine Salberg.
John and Rosine homesteaded in the Conquerville area 18 miles southeast of Bow Island.
In 1924, the family moved to a farm north of Magrath where Pearl attended the country schools of Lehi and Farm Hill.
After completing Grade 8, she worked cleaning houses and looking after children for various families in the area, many times for only $5 a month.
She met her loving husband, Raymond of 64 years of marriage, in Magrath while he was working for his cousins.
After a short courtship, they were married in Lethbridge, Dec. 29, 1939.
They started their new life in the Coronation-Nose Hills area where Raymond farmed with his brother.
During this time, two of their children were born: Evelyn in 1941 and Vernon in 1944.
In 1948, they moved to Spring Coulee where Raymond worked for a farmer and oil rig while Pearl cooked for a crew.
In 1947, baby Leslie died in infancy and in 1948 Bonnie was born.
Shortly after they moved to Magrath, two more children were born: Robert in 1954 and Sherri in 1958.
Ray and Pearl were happy to welcome to their family, John Leuck, born 1947, a 6-year-old cousin of Ray’s.
Pearl helped with expenses by working at the Alberta Canning Factory, Magrath Woolen Mill and cooking for hired men.
She was a member of the Magrath Lutheran Ladies Aide for many years baking many pies and cakes.
In 1963, Ray and Pearl and the four youngest children moved north of Coronation where they took up farming on his Dad and Mother’s homestead where they farmed for many years.
Pearl always took great pride in her large garden and a beautiful flowered yard.
Pearl and Ray worked hard farming as a team.
Pearl enjoyed cooking and preparing tasty meals for her family and anyone who dropped in for a visit.
She was a member of the Talbot Homemakers for many years.
She worked at the Coronation Auction Market lunch counter with Lottie Lang and catered for weddings, curling bonspiels, and many large gatherings, whilst running the lunch counter at the curling rink, where Ray was a caretaker.
In later years, Pearl enjoyed working with Mabel Glazier and Edna Redelback pouring green-ware at Kee-J Ceramics. Pearl and Ray enjoyed meeting many friends while touring with Jo Bargholz Travel.
Ray and Pearl enjoyed many happy years together, celebrating 64 years of marriage.
After Raymond passed away on Jan. 15, 2004 Pearl continued to live on the farm. Robert purchased the family farm, where she continued to reside until she turned 90.
She then moved into Prairie Rose Assisted Living in October of 2009.
With renewing old friendships and making new, Pearl enjoyed playing bingo, listening to musical entertainment and visits from family and friends.
She enjoyed being pampered by the compassionate nursing staff.
After suffering a slight stroke in July of 2012, she moved into Long Term Care.
She worked very hard to regain her mobility with the assistance of caring nursing and physical therapy.
She never lost her keen mind and witty sense of humour.
She knew how fortunate she was and enjoyed her independence greatly.
Over the next few years, she enjoyed every family reunion, other celebrations and never passed up an opportunity to go to a casino.
Visits from her family were the highlight of her life. Her face always lit up when grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren came to visit.
Pearl was physically limited when she fell and badly fractured her right arm on Nov. 27, 2018.
She coped with some pain rather than take medication knowing it would affect her awareness, which she kept up until the end.
Pearl was a loving wife to Raymond, mother of six, grandmother of 15, great-grandmother of 28, and great-great-grandmother of 11.
She lived a wonderful, full life and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.
A special thank you to the doctors and nursing staff for the compassionate care you gave Pearl.
Pearl leaves to mourn her passing including her six children: Evelyn Hillmer, Vernon (Jill) Wakefield, John Leuck (Margaret Minion), Bonnie Shaw, Robert (Jean) Wakefield, Sherri (Les) Hewitt; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Also mourning her loss are her sister Ruby Zakariasen; sisters-in-law Gladys Warren and Grace Venables; brother-in-law Jim Grasswick; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
Pearl was predeceased by her loving husband, Raymond; infant son Leslie Wakefield; parents Rosine and John Salberg; sister Katherine Solberg; brothers James Salberg, Glen Salberg and John Salberg; dear sons-in-law Robert Shaw and Marvin Hillmer; dearest daughter-in-law Joyce Leuck; great-grandson Carson Pulvermacher and all the Wakefield family who have gone before.
A celebration of Pearl’s life was held on Sat. Jun. 22, 2019 at the Coronation Community Centre with Rev. Alwin Maben and family friend George Glazier leading the service.
Pearl was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Ray at the Coronation Cemetery.
Donations in memory are greatly appreciated to S.T.A.R.S. or a charity of the donor’s choice c/o Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, P.O. Box 186, Castor, Alta. T0C 0X0, 403-578-3777, who were entrusted with the care and arrangements.
To send condolences to the family, please visit www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
