TWO FORMER LASHBURN RESIDENTS – SEARLE SISTERS
Helen and Mildred Laid to Rest
Helen joyfully and triumphantly passed into the arms of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at the Edmonton General Hospital, her home for the past 24 years. She was supported with her favorite gospel music and by her niece and Trustee, Barbara Wychopen.
Helen was born February 18, 1938, in Lashburn, Saskatchewan, the youngest of three daughters, to Mable and Stanley (Stan) Searle. She married Daniel (Danny) Lucas of Marshall, Saskatchewan in 1954, and together they raised four daughters. Early years werespent at the Lucas farmstead, south of Marshall; later homes would be Quesnel, British Columbia and Edmonton, Alberta.
Helen was predeceased by her mother, Mable in 1959, daughter Jeanette (Kim) in 1976; grandson Daniel Toby in 1980; father Stanley (Stan) Searle in 1998, former husband and forever friend, Danny Lucas in 2022.
She leaves treasured memories in the hearts of her daughters and their families: Linda Limer (Erin, Heather); Deana and Tom Clark (Jennifer, Crystal, Daniel, Jamie, Rick, Tiffany); Lori Campbell (Geneva, Tully, Caley)
And in the hearts of her sisters: Mildred (Searle) (Waldron) Reinhart; Norma (Eric) Squair; brothers -in-law Bert (Lilian) and Neil (June) Lucas; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Helen was severely injured and blinded in July 1984. She spent the next 39+ years in care at the University of Alberta Hospital Burn Unit, Good Samaritan Care Centre, and Edmonton General Hospital. She became a powerful, positive image maker under the most difficult of circumstances. Helen’s faith was steadfast; acceptance of her circumstances was grace personified; her outreach was gracious and kind. A remarkable woman, indeed.
At Helen’s request, no formal funeral service was held. Her cremated remains will be interred in June 2024 with her mother (Mable Searle) in the Lashburn Cemetery.
Mildred (Milly) passed away at Aspen Ridge Lodge, Didsbury, Alberta on October 14. She was supported and surround- ed by her family.
Her funeral service was conducted October 21, 2023, from St. John’s Anglican Church, Olds Alberta by Rev. Dr. Robert Sears, assisted by Milly’s granddaughter, Divinity Student, Holly Hirschfield. Milly was born and raised in Lashburn, Saskatchewan. She exceled in schoolwork, Girl Guide activities, played the piano for school dances and the organ at All Saints Anglican church. But her favorite job of all was helping her grandfa- ther (Arthur Brodie Searle), and later, her father (Stanley Searle) in the Post Office.
She married Russell Waldron in October 1951 and together they raised three daughters. They farmed alongside and with George, Hazel and Charlie Waldron and Cyril (Squibb) and Francis (Fran) Shearman families for 45 years.
In 1957, Milly returned to part time work in the Lashburn Post office – a very bold, and unusual move for a farmwife of that era.
Milly continued to work part time until 1971, when she was awarded the position of Postmaster. She was very proud to have been one of the first female Postmasters in western Canada; however, she was especially proud to be the third generation Postmas- ter in the Searle family. She retired in 1995.
In 1997, a year after Russell’s death, Milly moved off the farm into Lashburn. She took up golfing and returned to casual work in the Post Office for the next ten years – until age 75.
Milly was involved in many community and volunteer initiatives, including Chairperson of the Lashburn Home Coming Committee; founding member of the Lloydminster Academy of Performing Arts; Saskatch- ewan Commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada.
She married Arthur (Art) Reinhart in May 1999, and for the next fifteen years they followed the chuck- wagon circuit, enjoyed daily crib games, warm winter travels, fishing, boating and campfires at the Reinhart Family Turtle Lake cabin.
In 2015, Milly moved to Seasons Encore Retirement home in Olds, Alberta when Art was admitted to Points West in Wainwright, Alberta. She visited him as often as possible; however, the separation was heartbreak- ing for them both.
She moved to her final home – Aspen Ridge Lodge, Didsbury Alberta in April, 2022.
Milly was predeceased by her mother Mable in 1959, niece Jeanette (Kim) Lucas in 1976; husband Russell in 1996; father Stanley (Stan) in 1998; husband Arthur (Art) in 2017 and sister Helen in 2023.
She will be treasured forever in the hearts of her daughters Barbara Wychopen (Ed); Brenda Waldron (Walter) and Jean (Jim) Bergen
And by her grandchil- dren Holly (Marcus) Hirschfield, Justin (Kara) Lacelle, Brian (Shantel) Bergen, Zachary (Landon) Penner, Sherry Bergen;
Cody (Tamara) Bergen, Kyron (Andrea) Lacelle, Robin (Erika) Lacelle, Alexandra (Derrick) Wychopen, Darcy (Keith) Bergen, twenty-two great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Milly’s life will be remembered, and her passing mourned by her sister Norma (Eric) Squair, and daughter of her heart, Gloria Jean (Shearman) McConnell.
And also by the Reinhart families: Shane (Roxy) Reinhart, Inez (Eric) Weighill, Michael (Jenni- fer) Reinhart, Frank (Sheila) Reinhart.
Cremation has taken place, and internment will be held “on the hill” in the Waldron Family Cemetery, RM of Britan- nia, in June 2024.
