Anne Blender

Anne Blender, wife of the late Mike Blender of Sturgis passed away on June 1, 2018 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.

Anne Blender was born on March 12, 1932 in the Sturgis area. She was the fourth child of six born to George and Anghelina (nee Boychuk) Pugh. Anne attended Brookview School. After finishing school, she worked as a waitress at Endeavour, Canora, and Simpson, Saskatchewan.

Anne married Mike Blender in 1952. They started farming in 1953. Their family farm received a 100 year plaque. On the farm, Anne worked hard, raising chickens, turkeys, pigs, she milked twelve cows by hand, drove a tractor, grew a huge garden and took care of her kids.

Cheryl was born in 1953 and Rod was born in 1954. Anne loved gardening. She canned and cooked much produce. Anne’s house always smelled fabulous with bread and baking. When company came, they never left hungry. Anne made the simplest meals taste first class. Anne’s hobbies were sewing, quilting and she loved to go fishing.

Anne always found time for her grandchildren Michael and Amanda, attending every field meet and helping in the concession. The teacher’s took it for granted that she would be there. She also attended every cadet function, helping to make perogies. Anne enjoyed making birthday cakes and sewing Halloween costumes. She worked to preserve the Brookview School and helped to get it to Sturgis to the museum when getting a sign erected on the present day site. Anne served as president of the Green Leaf Cemetery for many years. She worked hard to keep the cemetery looking clean.

Anne’s highlight came when she was blessed with two great grandchildren, Hunter and Hayley. Anne enjoyed teaching them to make perogies saying that the younger ones have to learn how. Anne was so looking forward to becoming a great grandma (Baba) to a set of twins in July. Unfortunately, her life didn’t allow this as her illness took over. When you said you liked something Anne baked or cooked, the next time you went to her home, there was a truck load waiting for you to take home. Anne would say: “Take, take, you need to grow.”

After Anne’s husband Mike passed away, she moved to Sturgis where she lived until the present day. When she moved to town, she became great friends with her neighbour, Helen. They spent many hours travelling, making perogies, canning and going for coffee together.

Anne is survived by her son, Rod (Linda); grandchildren, Michael (Kelly), Amanda (Dave); great grandchildren, Hunter and Hayley; step grandchildren, Trevor (Charlene), Todd (Sandra) and Trent; step great grandchildren, Alysha (Kaekan), Tony, Austin, Brett and Zachary; step great great grandchildren, Mary Jane, Lincoln, Charlie Sue; and her sister Jean Renaud.

Anne was predeceased by her husband, Mike; parents, George and Anghelina; daughter, Cheryl; son in law, Bruce; grandchild, Nathan; brothers Nick and William; sisters, Mary Wolkowski and Lena Duchak; brothers in law, Allan and Bill (Mary).

Funeral Services were held on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home with Rev. Miles Russell of of Grace United Church officiating. The organist, Debbie Blender with members of the Grace United church Choir led the congregation in the singing of the hymns ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘In The Garden’. Interment followed in the Green Leaf Cemetery with Merv Blender, Raymond Blender, Tyler Blender, Blaine Medlang, Phil Murin and Don Korluk serving as the casketbearers. Honourary bearers were all of Anne’s loving family and friends. 

Memorials in memory of Anne may be made to the Green Leaf Cemetery Fund as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.preecevillefuneral home.com 

Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.