On behalf of the immediate family members, Lois' Mother, Mildred Scherrer, her daughter Carla, and husband Ranie, and their children Bryce and Dakota.
Together we celebrate the Life of Lois Alfred. I am Arlo Johnson, a cousin of Lois, and one of the ten grandchildren of our Grandpa and Grandma Christ Johnson. I was asked by Lois prior to her death, and by her immediate family following her passing, to co-ordinate this memorial.
Let me say that in a service of this nature we will be reminded of our human-ness! One aspect of our human-ness is that none of us is perfect .. we are flawed! And whether we are thinking of the living or the deceased, for our own wellbeing, it is necessary for each of us to forgive individ- uals for their weaknesses, and appreciate them for their strengths! As we do this, we will experience different emotions .. at times we will feel like crying, and at other times we will feel likelaughing. Let me assure you that the expression of either or both emotions is a necessary part of our grieving process! So if you feel like crying, don't supress your tears! And if you feel like laughing, do so, and most of us will probably join in with you in either or both of these emotions!
The story of Lois' life really had its beginning long before she was ever born. Her story begins with the coming together of two families .. the Scherrer and Johnson families. These two families came from different geographical locations to live in the Parry district of Saskatchewan. As a result of that, Art Scherrer and Mildred Johnson were married in Moose Jaw on January 11, 1927. As a result of that marriage, Lois was born on December 6, 1928 in Pangman, Saskatchewan. Lois was married to Archie Alfred on September 23, 1952 in the Wascana United Church, then located on 13th Avenue in the city of Regina. In 1966 Lois and Archie birthed a daughter, Carla Lynn.
The Milestone Mail of November, 1974 was purchased for just 10 cents! It was in this news paper that bore these headlines: Centenarian Honored .. "District pioneer farmer, Christian Johnson was honored at an informal come-and-go tea on October 20 in Parry United Church on the occasion of his 100th Birthday anniversary. Great granddaughter, Carla Alfred of Moose Jaw attended the register signed by 161 well wishers."
It was into this family connection that Lois was born, and spent her childhood, growing up on her father's farm just a short distance east of Parry. Art was the farmer, and his wife, Mildred was an exceptional housekeeper according to my childhood memories. Lois was a fun loving cousin! I was four years her junior, but there were occasions when Aunt Mildred had me spend some vacation time with them in their home. It was always a very special time! Aunt Mildred had something that none of my family or extended family had .. she had a canary! As for Lois, she entertained me well!
Eulogy by Paul Larsen
Lois Mabel Alford nee Scherrer was born December 6, 1928 and passed away Sunday, January 26th, 2003 at the age of 74 years. Predeceased by her grandparents, her Dad, Art, in October, 1976, and her husband Al in July, 2000. Lois is survived by her mother, Mildred, daughter, Carla, son-in-law Ranie, grandson, Bryce and granddaughter, Dakota, also extended family members, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends.
Lois lived up and across the road from my home. Their home was like a second home for me. We were such close neighbors so we saw alot of one another. Her Mom and Dad were a part of my growing up years, hence they are a large part of my memories. Lois and I went to school in Parry. In the summer we rode with her Dad in that Model T or we walked to school across country from our place to town and school. When the creek was running, then it was a longer route. In winter we wnt with our team of horses and sleigh. One summer she received a new bike, one of the first in the area, so she was the envy of all the girls at school. I learned to ride on that bike. We got a long fine until this boy-girl thing kicked in and I didn't want to be seen riding or walking with a girl.
That model T was an important vehicle for the Scherrers as it was used to take Lois and I to school on a number of occasions. In order to make such a trip worthwhile there was a barrel in the back of the truck to be filled with water at the town well on the way home. This was fine until one day the rear wheel came off and passed us. This created a large let down and it seemed as if the whole barrel of water came over us. Lois thought this was hilarious, even if I didn't quite agree. We were left with no choice but to walk home!
Then there was the jersey cow that did not like children! Lois and I would become the "butt" of her "cow jokes," if were not watching.
The Scherrer house had an attic that was rather unique at the time as it had a floor and a stairway leading up to it. This is where Lois spent much of her time playing with her dolls and other girl things.
After Lois finished grade school at Parry, she went to Amulet for high school. Then to Regina to take a hairdressing course and this led to her lifetime business of hairdressing. Eventually, she owned her own hair dressing shop in Moose Jaw.
Lois was a very friendly, caring person and she loved her family dearly. Her grandchildren were a great joy to her. She would tell about their latest escapades and what they had talked about on the phone. Lois and Mildred, not only had a mother and daughter relationship, they were the best of friends!
Memories by Arlo Johnson
In the fall of 1945, my parents moved to Regina where my father would haul coal, and my mother, with the assistance of Rachel Rasmussen (Sheppard) ran a boarding house at 2230 Smith Street. The second World War was just over, and War Veterans were returning home in great numbers. To make a long story short, we had between 8 and 10 men, and Lois as boarders. There are two things that I remember about Lois: 1. For the 8-10 men and Lois, we had just one BATHROOM! It seemed to my 13 year old mind that Lois spent much time in the bathroom, as all the men put together! 2. One night, the reason for which I have no recollection, but Lois put my hair in pin curls. Upon taking them out the next morning, my hair made me 4-6 inches taller .. upon going to school that day, the Grade Eight Teacher at Victoria School asked me, "Arlo, what happened to your hair?" I told him and the class that I splept on it wrong! Later that day, the teacher came to me, and asked me privately, "Arlo, did you really sleep on your hair wrong to make it look this way?" Need I say more, but if that helped one of my favorite cousins to be thrust into a successful career in hairstyling, I'd do it all over again, just for Lois!
Memories by Luella (Johnson) Pritchard
Lois was raised in a very loving home. All of us cousins loved to go to Aunt Mildred and Uncle Art's home. Everything was so pretty, and Aunt Mildred kept her home so immaculate. There were always special goodies to eat. Uncle Art was a tease, but we thrived on it.
Lois left home at quite an early age to pursue her dream of becoming a hairdresser. She took her training in Regina and stayed at Uncle Harry and Aunt Cecile's home. Reatha recalls her paarents commenting that Lois wa such a strong person, displaying much stamina in walking to her place of training each day.
Reatha also remembers how as a young girl, Aunt Mildred always had Lois dressed so beautifully-like a doll. A practice, Lois maintained all her life as she always looked attractive!
Lois was visiting Reatha and Arnold in their home in Moreland. Reatha remembers when Arnold was pretending to chase Lois and Reatha with something. So Lois and Reatha scrambled under the kitchen table just at the precise moment a traveling salesman came to their door. He peered through the window in the door and took in the happening! That would have been one of those embarrassing moments difficult to explain!
Darleen remembers, as a teenager, admiring Lois' beautiful clothes on more than one occasion. She was glad to be a recipient of some of her hand-me-downs, which were still very lovely.
Verla recalled a trip when she and Lois, along with other family members, travelled to Florida, and how Lois' fun-loving personality made the trip so enjoyable!
After the marriage of Lois and Al, they made their home in Moose Jaw. Al worked at the Canadian Forces Base, and Lois continued her career of hairdressing. A career she continued all of her life. Lois was an excellent hairdresser. She was always friendly and enjoyed visiting with people. She was very willing to serve and please her customers, often working past her scheduled time. Her character and work qualities resulted in a thriving clientele. Lois owned her own business.
Although Lois was happy in her profession, her greatest joy was at the birth of their daughter, Carla Lynn. Lois placed priority on Carla Lynn over her business. As Carla grew older, she married Ranie Moldenhouer, and Bryce and Dakota were born to complete the family. Lois' grandchildren brought great joy to Lois. She spoke lovingly of her family and they meant so much to her. Her only wish was that they lived closer so they could all be together more often!
Uncle Art and Aunt Mildred moved to Moose Jaw in 1968, just a short distance from Lois and her famlly. After Uncle Art's passing, Aunt Mildred and Lois enjoyed many trips abroad in such places as Thailand, Japan, and Spain. After Al passed away, Aunt Mildred moved from her apartment to live with Lois in her home.
Lois fought a noble battle against cancer. Even those times when she was recovering from surgery or treatment for cancer, Lois still maintained her positve outlook. She didn't dwell on her sickness, but we knew she was suffering. During the course of one such visit, Lois said, "I am ready to die, but I really want to live." Then she asked that we remember her in prayer.
A couple of weeks ago I sent Lois a card with a little note. I remember saying to her, "Lois, you are an inspiration to all of us. During this time of suffering, you have been so positive, so patient and so strong." I chose a card with the poem, "Footprints."
Reading of Footprints (written by: Margaret Fishback Powers) by Darlene (Johnson) Wilson:
One night a man had a dream ...
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
One belonged to him and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
He looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome
Times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed you most that you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints,
IT WAS THEN THAT I CARRIED YOU!"
Songs by Audrey Thomas: A Mansion over the Hilltop and Farther Along.
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