KAUL

Posted: May 16th, 2013


Alice Jenora Kaul (Reno) was born Sept. 23, 1908 near Greenbush, Roseau County, Minn, USA. and passed away at the Gull Lake Special Care Home May 2, 2013 at the age of 104 years seven months.
Alice is survived by her daughter Stella Moore Countryman (Allan Countryman) of Gull Lake, Sask., granddaughter Heather (Tom) Keenan of Rocky Mt. House, Alta.; great grandchildren Erin (Mike)  McKenzie, Amber (Aaron) Wandler; Jonathan Keenan (fiance Tynita Jackson); great, great grandchildren Dade, Matia, Kayla and Anya McKenzie; Ava, Axsen and Ayden Wandler; sisters-in-law Kay Reno Strath and Karen Reno, as well as many nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Arthur “Shorty”, daughter Doreen, son-in-law Lyle Moore, parents Ole and Christina Reno, sisters Helen (Eugene) Bollinger, Clara and Olive Reno; two infant brothers Orville and Clifford, and Joel and  Paul Ralph Reno. She was also predeceased by her mother and father-in-law Sophie and John Kaul and all of Arthur’s sisters and brothers and their spouses.
Alice was 16 months old when she immigrated to Canada with her parents and older sister, Helen. They homesteaded in the Roe district near Abbey, Sask. Alice attended Roe school and after elementary school she went to Abbey High School for grades 9 to 11. In 1927 she went to Moose Jaw Normal School and eight months later started her teaching career. She taught at Beaver Dam, Petain and Crane Lake.
December 21, 1935 Alice married Arthur “Shorty” Kaul and they farmed in the Prairie Star district. They spent a few months in 1937-38 at New Westminster, B.C. Here Alice worked in a fish cannery and Shorty at a nursery farm, but by spring of 1938 with no steady jobs available they were ready to return to the prairies. With seed from the relief board to start farming and $9 a month grocery relief they returned to the Kaul homestead and farmed.
Alice returned to teaching a few times;Lynn Grove in 1939 and again 1950 to 1954, and Piapot School 1956 to 1958. She worked in the Piapot Post Office when the postmaster went on holidays and during the busy Christmas season.
Alice had always had a busy life as a farm wife, doing the farm jobs of gardening, raising chickens and turkeys, helping with field work and cattle, cooking and preserving, plus the times she had an “off the farm” job as well. Alice and ‘Shorty’ sold their farm in 1971 and retired to 418 Cypress Street, Maple Creek.
In her lifetime Alice was involved in organizations in her community: the Prairie Star Community Club, Ladies Aid, a member of the United Church and lifetime member of the United Church Women. She worked with the Piapot History Book committee, belonged to the Maple Creek branch of the retired Teachers Assoc., the Maple Creek Seniors, belonged to the Rebekah Lodge for more than 50 years and was once a member of Cypress Lodge Auxiliary.
In Maple Creek she continued her hospitable ways. Her home was open to visitors, some stayed for a few days, some longer. She was a good cook and a gracious hostess. She enjoyed entertaining friends. She was creative with her hands. She kept busy and enjoyed sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting. Alice like a good game of cards. Whist, she said, was her favorite because she learned it as a child, but when she moved to Maple Creek she belonged to a bridge club and enjoyed that very much. She liked to play scrabble or any game that was going. The seniors exercise group was fun for her too. Alice and ‘Shorty’ were fortunate to have travelled to many places across Canada and the US.
Alice and ‘Shorty’ celebrated nearly 57 years of marriage. She had a marvelous 100th birthday party. The changes, the inventions and developments that happened in her lifetime are astounding. She was an ardent reader and was able to read, do crossword and word find puzzles and write in her journal until her eyesight failed in her 103rd year. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. Alice had an amazing keen mind that she was blessed to have to the end.
In 1998 Alice, a widow since 1992, moved to Cypress View Manor in Maple Creek. On May 1, 2006 she moved to Autumn House in Gull Lake and on March 15, 2013 to the Gull Lake Special Care Home.
Funeral service was held Mon., May 6 at the Maple Creek United Church with Eleanor Bowie officiating. Stella Countryman offered a history of her mother, Tom Keenan read scripture 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and Alice’s great grandchildren Erin, Amber and Jonathan delivered the eulogy. The Bible states that the Holy Spirit produces good fruit. The fruits of the Spirit are: Love, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, joy, faithfulness and humility. They depicted how they saw their great grandmother live her life as an example of these, “And so her love for us endures, through out memories of her consistent, gracious love poured into our lives without reservation.”
A private family interment took place at the Piapot Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ian Bowie, Lorne Kusler, Tom Keenan, Mike McKenzie, Aaron Wandler, Jonathan Keenan.
“As majestic as the setting sun, she cast a beautiful glow onto everyone she touched. Even now that we can no longer see her, we feel the warmth and energy she brought into our world.” ~ JLK
To email an expression of sympathy you may visit www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca.
Binkley’s Funeral Service, Maple Creek and Leader, were in charge of arrangements. 306-662-2292

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  1. Carol and Phil says:

    Hi, we were away so just read your dear mother passed away. I am so glad I stopped in to see her last summer. She was still doing so well, Bless her heart. A lovely lady for sure. It was a privilege to get to know her and a pleasure to visit with.

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