Mrs. Annie “Anne” McConnell passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the age of 97years.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. held at St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Peter Paase as celebrant.  Interment will follow at the St. Boniface Roman Catholic Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Mrs. Anne McConnell can be directed to the St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church or Cemetery – PO Box 10, Goodsoil, SK S0M 1A0.

Left to cherish Anne’s memory are:

ERNIE & Michelle Degenhardt: Joe & Cindy Degenhardt and children: Matthew and Mackenzie, Rob & Kristi Degenhardt and children: Joshua, Janessa and Aaron, EMIL & Linda Degenhardt, Sherilee & Doug Schmidtz and sons: Denys and Carter, Bonnie & Evan and her son, Presley, Andrew & Renee Degenhardt with their two sons: Liam and Wesley, Danyel & Ashley Degenhardt and their family: Felix and Leo; DOROTHY Prince; Darwin & Rachel Farkas and children: Dienne and Island: Lynn Farkas & Shane and family: McKenna, Dawson and Anisten; DON & Colette Degenhardt: Ryan & Jayne Degenhardt and their daughter, Lena; Sarah & Jason Moellenbeck and family, Heidi and Jeremy; THERESA and Jerry Duchscher: Adam & Val Duchscher and son, Aiden, Amanda & Alex Osadchuk and son, Keegan, and Anthony Duchscher. JAMES Degenhardt: Evan & Desiree Degenhardt and children: Jack, Beau and Luke, Kailey & Tim Darwent and family: Madeleine, William, and Winifred; Step-Grandchildren: Dwayne & Reanne Usselman & family; Lorena & Chris Friesen & family, and many other extended families.

Anne is predeceased by her husbands: Adam Degenhardt and Vern McConnell; stepdaughter and husband: Lillian & Rodney Usselman; sons-in-law: Zoltan Farkas and Gilbert Prince and great-grandson, Oliver Degenhardt; her two brothers and two sisters, and many other family members.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium – Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

 

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Anne was born in Macklin, SK on January 16, 1926, to John & Anna Schewalje. She came to Goodsoil with her two brothers Adolph & Florian and two sisters Marie & Katherine in 1928.

She grew up in a log house with a roof made of sod. The roof leaked in a few places when it rained. They had to keep groceries up in the attic as the house was small. She was only concerned about the Corn Flakes as that was her favorite cereal.

Father Shultz was the first pastor in Goodsoil and said mass in her house. This meant a lot to Mom because all the people came to worship God in her home. This was the beginning of her lifelong faith commitment. She was an honorary member of the Catholic Woman’s League for 60 years.

in 1944, she married the love of her life, the best-looking bachelor in Goodsoil — Adam Degenhardt. They farmed with his dad and continued farming on the Degenhardt homestead.

Together they had six children: Ernie, Emil, Don and Dorothy were all born between 1946 – 1951. Eight years later they got it right and I was born in 1959. I am glad they decided to have another child and James was born in 1964. This completed our family.

While going through Mom’s papers this week we found this quote in her documents – “One of the greatest inspirations of my life is to have all my family together for all occasions during the year” And she did just that her whole life, family was very important to her.

Mom and Dad worked hard raising their family in Goodsoil. Mom continued raising the family after Dad passed away in 1977 at the age of 60. That is why we still have special ties here in Goodsoil and still call it home.

She moved to North Battleford, and she found love and companionship once again with Vern McConnell and were married in 1980. He opened up many new experiences for her. Vern & Mom enjoyed many activities and experiences together including bus tours, camping and fishing. She found her way back to Goodsoil where she and Vern enjoyed their camper. Vern had a good sense of humor and opened his home to our family. Our family grew as we added his daughter Lillian her husband Rodney and their children Dwayne and Lorena to our growing family. We have many good memories of special occasions and holidays as they hosted as many as 40 people in their 800 square foot home.

Mom continued hosting our family occasions in her apartment until 2017 when she became a resident of River Heights Lodge at the age of 92.

As a family we feel blessed to have had a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother so committed to her faith and to be a pillar in our lives for our many milestones. She never missed an opportunity to talk to someone and make new friends. We will miss sharing her favorite foods (Sauerkraut, pickles, and cabbage rolls) which we took to her often. She prayed daily for her family, and we know that she will continue to watch over us from her heavenly home.

Shortly before she passed, she said to us “I had a good run!” Mom will be remembered for her love for her family, her faith, having conversations and her kindness to everyone. She was loved by all. She has lived a full life — 26 months away from being 100. We will continue to celebrate her legacy of life.

• Date : 2023-10-17
• Location : Goodsoil, SK