Lillian Viola (Schmidt) Willems
September 16, 1925 – July 29, 2023
Lillian Viola (Schmidt) Willems was born on September 16, 1925, in the family home in Laird, Saskatchewan. She was the second of six children born to William and Mary Schmidt. The family moved to wherever her father could find work as a railroad repair man.
In 1939, the family moved to a homestead nine miles from Erwood, Saskatchewan. Lillian learned how to work hard as the family tried to make a living as homesteaders. Lillian learned homemaking skills as she worked for local families, the funds going to her parents to assist in their family’s financial needs.
Over time, the homesteading situation became very difficult, so the farm was sold, and the family moved to Saskatoon in 1941. Over the next few years, Lillian worked at various locations including the St. Paul’s Hospital laundry, the Sanitorium, Tucker and Bates Dry Cleaners. She continued to live with her parents, her mother also taking in boarders to help make ends meet. One of the boarders was Harold Willems, a young man from the Great Deer area, who had just moved to the city to work at Intercontinental Packers. Lillian and Harold were married in November 1945. They made their home in Saskatoon and Harold continued to work at Intercontinental Packers until his retirement.
Following their marriage, Lillian was a full time homemaker to their three children, Al, Gary & Lorraine. She enjoyed caring for a large yard with room for a good-sized garden, and a few fruit trees. Her flower arranging skills were enjoyed by the churches that they attended over the years as she supplied floral displays for the front of the church. Her artistic talent was developed under the guidance of Nettie Harder, and her acrylics and watercolor scenes included both prairie and mountain-scapes. She also sold Avon and Tupperware, enjoying the contact with others through her sales.
Her lifelong ambition was to live a life that pleased her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As family members passed away, she eagerly awaited her time when she could join them in their eternal home. That longing was fulfilled on July 29, 2023.
Family has been the center of Lillian’s life. While her parents, husband, 3 siblings, and other extended family predeceased her, she is survived by her children, Al, Gary and Lorraine, 7 grandchildren and their spouses and 20 great-grandchildren, her brother Bill and sister Betty, extended family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Dalmeny Funeral Home, 139 3rd Street, Dalmeny SK.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE LILLIAN WILLEMS
(A copy of the live stream will also be available to view after the service at the link above.)
Memorial donations to Erindale Alliance Church, C/O A/V Fund, 310 Perehudoff Crescent, Saskatoon, SK S7N 4H1. Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
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