Alma Zorn

The celebration of life was held in the Legacy Inn Conference Room, Grenfell on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

Eulogy as given at the celebration:

Alma Bertha Zorn passed away peacefully with family by her side at the age of 97 years in the morning hours of January 1, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband Clarence, parents Michael and Martha Ber, sister Lucy Sommerfeld (and husband Eric), brother George Ber (and wife Erna), brothers-in-law Harold, Glen, Ken (and wife Eileen), and Alvin. She is survived by her son Michael (wife BreAnn and son Benjamin), brother David (and wife Lydia), sisters-in-law Pauline, Delrose, and Donna.

Alma was born in Jawor, Poland on August 31, 1927, the third child to Michael and Martha Ber, and a sister to George and Lucy. Michael had left to prepare a new life for the family in Canada prior to her birth, so at just a few months old she boarded a ship with her mother and siblings. During that trip, Martha became very ill, and they were forced to disembark in England for a few months until Martha recovered. Upon her recovery, they continued on to Canada's east coast, then by train across the huge new country of Canada. A young mother, with two toddlers and a baby in her arms arrived at a small train station in Northern Saskatchewan. Due to the delay in England, Michael did not know when they would arrive. While he was working in the field one day, he was informed by a neighbour that his family had arrived, and were waiting for him at the train station. They started their new life together on a small farm near Leask. A few years later there was another addition to the family when David was born in 1931. In 1947 the family moved once again when Michael bought a farm near Percival, Sask, in order to have better producing land and be nearer to friends and family that had also immigrated.

Alma was always involved in the farm, loved the animals, the growing of anything from the soil, but most of all she loved family, and her Lord. She had almost given up the hope of ever getting married when in 1964 a man named Clarence Zorn came calling. She wasn't sure what to think at first, but at the encouragement of her father she chose to marry him and on August 31(her birthday) they started their new life together on a farm just north of Oakshela. She immersed herself in the new role of farm wife, still focused on animals, plants, and church, but her greatest desire was to have a family of her own. After several years, and a couple miscarriages, she had almost given up hope, when at the age of 43 in 1970 she gave birth to a son whom they named after her father, Michael.

As years went by, Alma was always actively involved on the farm, driving various pieces of equipment as needed, helping with the cows, making large meals for harvest crews, growing huge gardens, raising ducks, geese, turkeys, and hundreds of chickens. She sold milk, cream, eggs, and butchered chickens locally for many years. She always canned much of what she grew or raised, and made her own pasta, cheese, and butter from what the farm produced. She was an avid reader and collector of various things like stamps, coins, books, cups, and especially plants. Her house was always full with a vast variety of house plants and many different fruit trees in her yard, which she planted.

Alma, and her family, were very active in the Whitewood Evangelical Church. If the doors were open, the Zorn's were there, no matter the weather or season. She was involved in various ladies groups and fulfilled different positions within the church when called upon. Her faith was always her top priority. Every day she could be found reading her bible or spending time in prayer, and she always found ways to share her faith with those around her right until the end.

In their later years, Clarence developed dementia and Alma cared for him, keeping him with her at home past what doctors thought possible. Finally they were forced to place him in long term care, yet Alma faithfully drove to town twice a day to be with him and feed him his meals. In 2005 he passed away, and shortly thereafter she moved into the units in town.

As family and children were always so precious to her, she had almost given up hope, when in 2013 Michael married a loving and caring daughter-in-law, BreAnn, whom she absolutely adored, and in 2015 they gave her a grandson named Benjamin. Benjamin and Alma had a very special relationship, and much like her son, Benjamin could do no wrong in her eyes! Her face would light up when he walked into the room, and she never complained when his youthful exuberance was maybe a little rough on someone

her age. She loved to play a game of living room hockey with him, or have him climb up on her powered recliner to snuggle. As a toddler Ben loved rides on her walker performed by grandma which she was always willing to provide and even in her last months when he insisted on being the one to push her in her wheelchair, even though she may have been a tad nervous, she never objected once.

With family meaning so much to Alma, it was likely in the Lord's providence, knowing that the end was near for her, that family from BC, Ontario, and Michigan, all were impressed to come and visit her in the spring and summer of 2024 which led to several mini family reunions which she thoroughly enjoyed. Due to decreased mobility, the hard decision was made in August of 2024 for her to enter long term care in Moosomin, Sask. Alma was always so strong and independent so this was not an easy move for her, yet she tried to have a positive attitude toward this next stage in life. Even though she received excellent care there, her health quickly declined. She was struggling with increased pain and discomfort, but continued to enjoy it when family came to visit in her last couple weeks, and she put on a brave face for them.

On the morning of January 1st 2025, Alma's time here on this earth ended very peacefully with family by her side. She was called home to the presence of her Saviour and to once again join loved ones who have gone on ahead. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, and she was an inspiration to many.