Annetta Pearl Locken

Annetta Pearl Locken (Steen) It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Annetta Locken on October 9, 2018. Annetta Pearl Steen was born May 3, 1922, on the family farm, which was 3 miles south of Radcliffe, Saskatchewan. Annetta was delivered by a midwife named Mrs. Kelly, who came to the farm since the nearest doctor was in Tribune, Saskatchewan. Annetta was the fifth child of Katherine and Henry Steen. Her siblings were: John, Henry, Mabel, Erwin, Hazel, Victor and Norma. Annetta went to school in Ratcliffe and to get there, she and her siblings walked two miles each way Monday to Friday. Brother Erwin would take them in the winter during the cold months. For high school Annetta moved to Ratcliffe and lived there with her sister Hazel and friend Bernice Locken. They stayed there till the end of grade 12. Annetta helped her mother at home and worked for neighbors. During her grade 11 and 12 summers, she worked at Lyleton, Manitoba on a farm helping with duties inside the house and outside. This farm had honey bees and sold honey so grandma helped with the extraction of honey. Annetta and Henry met during the time Annetta lived in Ratcliffe. Henry would bring his sister Bernice to town on Monday mornings and pick her up on Fridays after school to take her home for the weekend. So, it was during these drop offs and pick-ups that their friendship began which eventually led to their future together. Henry was farming with his dad and working for his uncle as well at this time. Annetta married Henry Locken November 30. 1942 In Estevan, Saskatchewan. Hazel Thome and Robert Johnson were their maid of honor and best man. When Henry passed in 2009, they had been married just short of 67 years. After their marriage, they moved to the Andrew Locken farm (Henry’s uncle) in the Round Grove district. In the winter, it took most of the day to go to Ratcliffe by team and sleigh to get the mail and groceries as well as to take cans of cream to sell. The train came twice a week so it was a time to visit with neighbors who also came to town at that time. For many years, Annetta’s interests revolved around belonging to the Round Grove Sewing Circle, where they met every three weeks at each other’s homes and the made quilts. The members would make their own tops and the club would quilt it for them. Sometimes these quilts were made for raffles or for the single men in the community when they got married. The sewing circle put on bridal showers for the girls when they got married. In this sewing club, the person who was hosting the meeting supplied the food for everyone and in the winter, the husbands would come along as well, and the kids would all get off the bus, so there would definitely be a full house. There was never a lack of food to go around. Henry and Annetta had four children: Sharon Ann, Marlin Douglas, Kathyrn Judy and Morris Henry. Sharon, Marlin and Kathyrn walked to Round Grove School in the summer and were taken there in the winter until Lyndale School opened in Oungre and all four children were bussed there. Henry and Annetta had a mixed farm —grain, cattle, pigs and chickens. They shipped cream on the train to the creamery in Estevan for the first year. They attended church in Round Grove School until the school closed and they went to church in Oungre. Annetta was an active member of the UCW until the church closed in 2003. They went on many trips. Expo in Montreal and Vancouver, and a farm tour which included the countries of: England, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Holland. They visited farms in each country and met the families who lived there and learned of the various crops that were grown. They were members of the square dancing club: “The Borderline Twirlers”, and also played cards regularly with their friends and neighbors which they enjoyed. Henry and Annetta went to Mesa, Arizona in the winters where they owned a mobile home in Sunlife Park. The park offered various recreation and activities, which included swimming, craft classes, church services, etc. They went to Mesa for 18 winters and continued to farm in the summer months. In 1994, they purchased a house in Weyburn as they were no longer going to Arizona. They lived in Weyburn for the winters and continued to farm in the summers. In 2002 they rented out their land. Some of Annetta’s hobbies through her years were tending her huge gardens, and preserving the bounty, coming up with innovative ways to keep the deer and raccoons out of her corn, reading, crocheting, knitting, maintaining her beautiful flower beds which consisted of hanging baskets of red and white petunias, purple sugar daddies and yellow crackerjack marigolds to name a few. She had a green thumb and her gardens/flowers were beautiful. Annetta was also an avid cook and baker and was known for her doughnuts. In 2009, after Henry passed away, Annetta moved into the Bison Manor. In August of 2014 she moved to Hilltop Manor and resided there until her passing. Annetta was predeceased by her parents: Katherine and Henry Steen, husband Henry, great grandchild Daris Bloor, brothers John Steen (Thelma), Henry Steen(Lizzy), Erwin Steen(Bernice), Victor Steen, and sisters: Mabel Muzzy (Bruce), Hazel Thome (Joe) Annetta is lovingly remembered by daughters: Sharon Bloor (Dale), Kathyrn Bendickson (Terry), sons: Marlin Locken (Bev) and Morris Locken. In addition she leaves behind her nine grandchildren as well as fourteen great grandchildren which include: Rodney Bloor and children, Dennin and Rosalyn; Tammy Cavers and son Evan; Christi Shworak (Phil) children Chloe and Michael; Craig Bendickson (Aleta) and children: Tanner, Connor, Nathan and Mya; Blair Bendickson (Mandy) and children: Samuel and Ellie; Darin Bendickson (Tracy) and son Henry; Adam Locken, Blair Locken and children: Thor and Cadel; and Tiffany Locken. Annetta also leaves her sister Norma Larsen, sisters -in-law: Beverly Locken, Rita Steen, Bev Locken and brother-in-law Victor Locken as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Annetta’s integrity, love and quiet, gentle spirit as well as her respect for others are an inspiration for all of us she left behind. She enjoyed her family, her friends and the simple things in life. Afterglow I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one, I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when the day is done, I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways Of happy times and laughing times And bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, To dry before the sun, Of happy memories I leave behind, when the day is done. Some doughnut wisdom to commemorate the numerous doughnuts Annetta (grandma) made through the years: “As you wander on through life together, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the “hole.” May our sadness be a witness to a timeless love that reaches out and touches us from heaven, where there is only peace......where we will all meet again someday. Visitation was held on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service was held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Both services were held at Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Pastor Martin Olson officiating. Interment took place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Pallbearers were Rodney Bloor, Craig Bendickson, Blair Bendickson, Adam Locken, Blair Locken and Dennin Bloor. Donations in memory of Annetta may be made to Diabetes Canada.