Obituary of Laura Bernice Pouteaux

Laura was born the first child of six to Ernest and Freda Huber on July 8, 1932, on their farm near Tompkins, Saskatchewan. She was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Freda, her sister Kathy Lang, and brother Victor Huber. She leaves to mourn her loving husband of 62 years Walter; son Victor (Brenda) Pouteaux and their children Preston (Kelly) Pouteaux, and Andrea (Darcy) Durksen; daughter Edith (Wilf) Dyck and their children Violet (Darryl) Smith, and Stephen (Angela) Boorah; son Dale (Michelle) Pouteaux and their children Jill (Colin) Smith, Richard (Aurora) Pouteaux, and Mark (Rebecca) Pouteaux; son Donald (Melody) Pouteaux and their children Tyler Pouteaux and fiancé Amy, Katrina Pouteaux and fiancé Doug, Rebecca (Benjamin) Thiessen, Anna Pouteaux, and Anita Pouteaux; and son Ronald (Marcia Schenk) Pouteaux, and their children Emily Pouteaux, Maria Pouteaux, Ryan Schenk, and Nicholas Schenk; 16 great grandchildren; and siblings Earl Huber, Herb Huber, and Myrna Swenson. Laura’s parents went pioneering north of Tompkins, the depression hit and times were tough. With the kindness of neighbors they were able to survive. When Laura was 12 they moved to the city of Swift Current with the truck loaded up like the Beverly Hillbillies: the kids were packed up in the back of the truck with the furniture and the family milk cow. Laura’s dad was employed at the CPR roundhouse. It was in Swift Current that Laura completed her schooling to grade nine and faced many challenges doing so, as she could only speak German. Laura had wanted more education but her mother took sick and as the oldest child Laura went to work in the railroad restaurant at the age of 15. She became very proficient in her position as a waitress, and could keep track of up to 22 orders by memory. Walter first met Laura on a family fishing trip when she was 12 and he was 16. Laura’s mother and Walter’s stepmother were cousins. When Laura was 17, she let Walter know that she wouldn’t marry him if he was the last man on earth as she had no intention of marrying a farmer. Laura was always looking for a good time and on occasion Walter found himself sitting across the table from Laura’s current boyfriend at different gatherings. BUT... she did continue to come out to the farm as she was good friends with Walter’s sister Ruth. Walter was persistent, he wrote a letter to Laura to invite her to a local Hoffman wedding, she received the letter and said, "What in the world does he want?” That wedding dance was cancelled. Then there was a social at Shamrock. Walter phoned up Laura and she accepted this invitation. They went to Albert and Georgina Pouteaux’s afterward; Albert told Walter that he better not let that girl get away. Laura’s mother Freda really liked Walter and also encouraged the relationship. Walter and Laura were married on June 19, 1954, and shared a double wedding (and honeymoon) with Walter’s sister Ruth and her husband Lawrence Deobald. Lifetime memories were made on that journey. Walter and Laura started their marriage on the family farm at Bateman and farmed with Walter’s parents Art and Sarah Pouteaux. They bought the Block farm from Laura’s grandma Block in 1958, and moved there with 3 yr old Victor and 2 yr old Edith. The farm had sat empty for 11 years, so there was a lot of work for Walter and Laura to fix up and develop the farm. Laura had the gift of hospitality; most weekends were spent entertaining family, neighbors, and church friends. One summer they had all of three days without company or cousins out at the farm. In the early 60’s Walter and Laura attended a Barry Moore Crusade, and accepted the invitation to follow Christ. This changed their lives and was a great influence to their children. Laura was a strong prayer warrior, each child had their day of the week that she prayed for them, Saturdays were for grandchildren, and Sunday was for praying for the ministers. Laura enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, gardening, entertaining in her own home, and staying in touch with family and friends who received cards and phone calls. Laura was very close to her own mother; they were only 16 years apart and were more like sisters than mother and daughter. Laura lost her mom when she was 40 and her mom was 56. This was a time of great sadness for her. Walter and Laura enjoyed 26 years of retirement in their own home in Herbert. They were a good team and really looked after each other. They are an example of a true love story. Laura passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Herbert, Saskatchewan. She will be missed by many. Funeral Service was held on Saturday, November 26, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., at the Kelstern Community Church, Kelstern, SK. Prelude music by pianist Marilyn Vellacott. Welcome and opening prayer was shared by Pastor Lincoln Vellacott. Congregational hymns "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus" and "I'll Fly Away" were lead by Dwayne and Jenny McGregor. Scripture reading was read by Pastor Steve Rood. Medley of songs was shared by Edith Dyck, Dale Pouteaux, Archie Klassen, Ben Thiessen, Donald and Melody Pouteaux, and Laura's granddaughters. Tributes by Joanne Rolfe-Petersen and Stephen Boorah. Obituary and eulogy was shared by Victor Pouteaux. Message was given by Reverend Dr. Preston Pouteaux. Closing remarks and benediction were shared by Pastor Lincoln Vellacott. Pallbearers were Richard Pouteaux, Mark Pouteaux, Colin Smith, Tyler Pouteaux, Darcy Durksen, and Steven Boorah. Recessional hymn, "To the River I am Going" was played by pianist Marilyn Vellacott. Memorial donations in memory of Laura to the Kelstern Community Church for the Elim Mennonite Brethren Cemetery, Box 114, Hodgeville, SK. SOH 2BO were greatly appreciated.