Obituary for
Mary Kiehlbauch (Gavinchuk)
Mary Kiehlbauch (nee Gavinchuk) of Hilliard, Alberta, passed away in her sleep on June 1, 2022, at the Lamont Nursing Home at the age of 95 years.
Mary is survived by her children, James, Bonnie and Laurel; grandchildren, Jennifer, Crystal, Jonathan, Leo, Jessica and Lucas; and sister, Olga. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; brothers, William, George, Michael and Victor; and grandson, Ryan.
Mary was born in 1927 on her parent’s farm at Hilliard, Alberta. She grew up in a family of four brothers and a sister. Mary went to school at Hilliard. In 1945 she married Edwin Kiehlbauch (the boy next door), and they moved to Vernon, British Columbia. There, Edwin started a radio repair and electrical business with two business partners and Mary set up housekeeping. Home sick a year or so later, they moved back to Hilliard and took over the family farm.
On the farm they raised their three children and helped raise grandchildren. The farm was a centre for cherished visits, great food and good company for family, friends and neighbours. Mary was noted for her magnificent vegetable and flower gardens. The produce fed her family as well as others. She worked alongside Edwin doing haying and harvesting. Mary also raised chickens for meat and eggs and milked a dozen cows for cream sales. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, and sewing from which she produced magnificent afghans, sweaters, dresses and suits.
Edwin passed away in 2007. Mary continued to live on the farm until she moved to the Lamont Nursing Home in 2015. She joined her brother William there and was eventually joined by her brothers, George and Victor.
Wife, mother, friend, grandmother (beloved Baba) will be missed and remembered.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary
Kiehlbauch Gavinchuk 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Lamont, Province: Alberta
To Jim, Bonnie, Laurie – I’m so sorry for the loss of Auntie Mary. She was a beautiful woman and wonderful aunt and the best sister that my Mom could ever ask for. She will be deeply missed.
I will always remember visits to the farm, seeing her massive garden and getting to enjoy the wonderful meals she prepared from fresh produce. It was the best. She was such a gracious and loving woman! Love Judy Schrempf (Hlushko) and family.