Lorna Evelyn Schmitz

Lorna “Mum” passed away on November 5, 2017 at the age of 93 years. She was born in Eagle River, Ontario on April 2, 1924, to Lottie and Alfred Solberg. Following the death of Alfred, Lottie remarried Ole Ervick. Along with Mum’s younger brother Earl, they moved to Wetaskiwin. The family was complete with the birth of Jim in 1935. 

After high school, during WW2, Mum moved to Vancouver, BC where she and her best friend, Mickey Jevne Edwards worked at the Boeing Catalina Flying Boat Factory. The two were known as “Betty the Buckler’s” as opposed to “Rosie the Riveters”. 

In January 1945, Mum and Cyril (Smitty) Schmitz were married in Wetaskiwin and then returned to live in Victoria, BC. In 1960, the Schmitz family moved back to Wetaskiwin, where Mum raised her family and worked at Brody’s and Fahlman’s Department Stores for over 30 years.

Mum had many interests - she loved to knit, do crosswords, was an avid reader, and enjoyed the challenge of the toughest jigsaw puzzles. She had a few favourite TV shows - Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Big Brother. She was also a huge Oilers fan, and loved watching hockey and any other sports. Mum was also an Eastern Star member of the Wetaskiwin Chapter for many years, and a long standing member of the Legion. 

She had an innate ability to draw people to her. If you met her - you automatically liked her. Mum was kind, gracious and so loving. Her quiet strength inspired us all. With Mum, it didn’t matter if you were a blood relative or a dear friend - you were family. What carried her all her life was her deep faith in God and her unconditional love for her entire family. 

Mum was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Cyril Schmitz; daughter in-law, Darlene Schmitz; son, John Schmitz; grandson, Clayton Schmitz; brothers, Earl Solberg and Jim Ervick; and sister in-law, Ursula Ervick. 

Mum will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Marlene (Derek) Hagan of Wetaskiwin; son, Ralph Schmitz of Oshawa, Ontario; daughter, Dawne (Rob) Kerr of Stockton, NSW, Australia; and her much loved grandchildren and great grandchildren. “We love you with all our hearts”. 

Donations are gratefully accepted to the Evangelical Sister's of Mary Church, RR1 Millet, AB, T0C1N0
 

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