VERNA P. HESCH-SCHELL
Posted: July 21st, 2026
VERNA P. HESCH-SCHELL May 22, 1940 ~ July 19, 2026 Verna Patricia Hesch-Schell passed away at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the age of 86 years.
Verna was the eldest of four children born in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on May 22, 1940, to Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Marian Fortney and James ‘Jim’ Robert Hesch.
Verna was raised in various towns and cities in Saskatchewan and Alberta including Maple Creek, Swift Current, Regina, Medicine Hat as well as a short period of early farm life near Shaunavon.
At 16 years of age, Verna married Vernie ‘Vern’ Michael Schell on June 2, 1956, in Maple Creek, raising four daughters and one son.
After legally separating in 1970, Verna entered into a long relationship with Donald Gordon Drinkwater of Piapot, SK., parenting another son in Swift Current, SK.
After living in Regina for 26 years, Verna moved to Medicine Hat in 2005, where she became a member of Holy Family Parish. She then moved to St. Joseph’s Home in 2016, where she became a member of the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Parish.
Verna is survived by 2 daughters, 2 sons as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; 1 sister; 1 brother; 5 nieces and 5 nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Vern in 1983; a great-grandson in 2022; two daughters in 1964 and 2013; one brother in 2017 and by her common-law spouse, Donald in 2023.
“Passing from earthly life is not an end but a new beginning in Christ. I’ve taken the final step on my great journey home.”
Vigil Prayers Cook Southland Funeral Chapel 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta Tuesday, July 21, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church 238 – 2 Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta Wednesday, July 22, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. Celebrant – Father Paolo Cervantes
Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in
Shaunavon, SK. Condolences may be expressed by visiting
www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455 www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”