Obituary For Bernice Schudlo
Bernice Schudlo (née Opalska), resident of Rycroft, AB, formerly of Volin, passed on peacefully in the Central Peace Health Complex on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the age of 92 years.
Bernice was born on October 29, 1929, in Olpien, Poland. At the age of only 11 years, her mother Mary, and two brothers, Vincente and Maurice, began their nearly 10 year journey to Canada. They travelled through Russia, Teheran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, India, and Africa. In Africa they lived in camp for 6 years within walking distance of Mount Kilimanjaro before being moved to Italy, then finally Germany. In 1949, instead of moving to Australia, they made the difficult choice to leave the friends they had travelled with over those 10 years, and moved to stay with a family friend in the Hines Creek area.
Bernice worked at the Fairview Hotel and met Steve, whom she married in 1951. They lived on both banks at Dunvegan before building a home on their Volin, AB, farm in 1957, where they raised four children. Farm life was completely foreign to her, yet she taught herself to do literally everything. Bernice worked hard and always extended a hand to whoever needed it. With the hard work came evenings filled with card games and uproarious laughter, which of course was fuel to carry on! In 2000, Bernice and Steve retired to Rycroft. Bernice loved her flower garden and it was extra special as there was nothing to reap at season’s end. She loved to laugh – with and even at herself.
Bernice was a child of the war, and shared vivid, incredible stories that took us listeners back through time. She dedicated her life to her children, and to the farm. She ran every type of machinery and wore many hats, acting as a chef, seamstress, nurse, gardener, butcher, veterinarian, carpenter, florist, and horticulturist. She was a beautiful, generous spirit with a quick sense of humour, who never hesitated to open her door and set the table.
She will be sadly missed by her children: Barbara Dawson, Marlene (Steve) Larabie, Kristine (Ray) Hunt, Richard Schudlo; grandchildren: Christie (Igor) Gifrin, Amanda (Ron) Baker, Jordan Hunt, Shaelyn Hunt, Jaymee Schudlo, Joshua Schudlo; as well as great-grandchildren: Liam and Adessa Baker.
Bernice was predeceased by her husband Steve and granddaughter Renee Lester.
A Viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 2:00-4:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.).
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 1:00pm, at the Greenway Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to charity of one’s choice.
Services
8
Dec
Viewing
02:00 PM – 04:00 PM
Oliver’s Funeral Home & Crematorium
10005 107 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V1L8
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9
Dec
Graveside Service
01:00 PM
Greenway Cemetery
Rycroft, AB
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bernice Schudlo October 29 1929 December 01 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta