Obituary for
Ellen Clara Sledz
Mrs. Ellen Sledz of Lamont passed away peacefully on April 9, 2022, after her fourth battle with cancer. Born on April 14, 1944, in Vermilion, Alberta to Albert and Beth Lauder, Ellen was the first of four children, and in her earliest days, grew up with her younger brothers on the family farm in the Ross Creek district.
In September 1950 she started school at Silver Lake, riding with a friend to and from school on horseback almost every day. In her childhood, she enjoyed spending time with her friends, helping on the farm and later would attend Lamont High School.
In 1964 Ellen married Ernie Sledz – a tall, good looking, all around good Polish/Ukrainian kid who grew up on a farm, north of Star. To this marriage Ellen and Ernie were blessed with four children- Ken, Kevin, Kelly, and Karen. Over the years Ellen, Ernie and their family lived in Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, and the original Sledz farm near Star before settling in Lamont.
In addition to the busy routine of being a mom to three active and sports-minded boys, and a daughter very committed to her local 4-H beef club, Ellen enjoyed working outside of the home being a supervisor at the “old” Edmonton Burger King; she also spent many years at the Lamont IGA grocery, and worked as a caterer.
Ellen was very accomplished in the art of sewing – creating many memorable outfits for her children and herself for special occasions, window décor, and in later years, wonderful quilts and placemats for friends and family. She was also a gardener, and while on the farm she along with Ernie liked to raise a large garden each year. Ellen was a quiet but devoted mom, wife, sister, sister-in-law, and grandmother who loved to follow sports – watching curling, her beloved Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and the Edmonton Oilers.
She enjoyed her time catering, especially in recent years with close friends Tom and Gail Hrehorets. Her family and friends marvelled at her home cooking – with holiday meals and her perogies and cabbage rolls (sour, not sweet) being particularly memorable. Ellen credited her mother-in-law’s recipes for such culinary prowess, which she fortunately has passed down to her daughter Karen.
Ellen was happy simply reading the daily news, novels, and visiting on the phone or at her kitchen table. She was involved in community activities, and enjoyed spending time at movies, bingo, and shopping with her closest friends. Most recently she had volunteered to raise funds for the Memorial commemorating the 1960 Lamont/Chipman Bus Tragedy of which she was a survivor.
Ellen is predeceased by her husband, Ernie; parents, Albert, and Beth Lauder; and her brother, Keith Lauder. Ellen leaves behind a family who loved her very much; her children, Ken (Tammy) Sledz of Edmonton, Kevin Sledz of Edmonton, Kelly (Michelle) Sledz of Calgary, and Karen (Shawn) Smith of Camrose; her grandchildren will always have a special place in their hearts for “Grandma Ellen”- Meagan, Tristan, Tyler, Ella, Ashton, Eden, Liam, and Adam; as well as in the hearts of her brothers, Arthur (Dianne) Lauder of Edmonton/Lamont County, Jim (Emily) Lauder of Edmonton, and sister-in-law, Trudy Lauder of Edmonton; and numerous nieces, nephews and her many friends. She will be greatly missed but happily remembered.
Funeral Service Tuesday, April 19 at 11 a.m. at Lamont United Church, 5102 – 53 Street, Lamont.
For those who feel so inclined, donations in lieu of flowers in Ellen’s memory can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Alberta Cancer Foundation
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ellen Clara
Sledz 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Lamont, Province: Alberta