Obituary of Mina Eglauer

Eulogy for Mina Eglauer This year mother's and grandmother's day for our family is two or three days later than for other families. We are here today to honour Mom in a celebration of her long and fruitful life. Mina Eglauer was born near Major Saskatchewan on March 11th 1917 and passed away on Friday May 8th 2009 at the age of 92 years in the Tofield Nursing Home with family by her side. Mina was predeceased by her parents Ignatius and Anne Wack, her husband John Eglauer in 1980 and her only daughter, Anne Rackow, in 1989. Mina was the last survivor of 14 brothers and sisters. Her married life began in Hillmond with a move to the farm west of Blackfoot in 1944. In the fall of 1965 she and Dad moved to Blackfoot and Mom began working at the Auxiliary Hospital in Lloydminster. In 1973 they made a permanent move to Lloydminster. Mom and Dad's faith was very strong. Mass was attended whenever possible. I remember the countless Sundays when the Eglauers, the Wacks and other relatives and friends would gather to visit outside the doors of St. Anthony's Church, then located on 50th Street. After an hour or so they would often decide to gather at someone's house to continue the fun. Sunday was family time, a time for relaxation and laughter. Family was number one on the list of priorities for Mom. That importance stemmed from her upbringing and continued to grow through her family and her grandchildren and great grandchildren. We had many good times. Mom worked tirelessly to make sure that we were well taken care of and at the same time entertained us. During the last few days when we were reminiscing, the talk starts off on a serious note but we are soon smiling and laughing about some incident or predicament that Mom had gotten herself into. But let me assure you, Mom did have her serious side and several times had to let someone know when he or she had crossed the line. Mom was seldom subtle. When she was upset, you knew it and she would tell you exactly what you did wrong and how to make amends. She would continue to scold you for quite some time, but you knew she loved you and was only acting as Mother's should. Tom and I have an ongoing argument about how badly the other was spoiled by Mom. We remember when Mom and Dad had a new electric blanket for their bed. Mom liked to sleep quite warm and Dad wanted to sleep cooler so this blanket was the key to solving the dilemma. The next morning they both came out of the bedroom complaining and grumbling to each other about that electric blanket. It turned out that Mom had got the temperature controls backwards so Mom's adjustments kept making Dad hotter and Dad's adjustments made Mom colder. I remember the fuss made of the first grandchild Brent, Mom trying to play Len's drums and Mom playing goalie in pond hockey games with Jan, Carrie, Les and Kenn who eventually nicknamed her Granny Fuhr. Mom would show the granddaughters how to make cookies or pies. When done everyone would sit and have a special drink of "Slush" from Grandma's fridge. Everybody loved Grandma's special slush. Which reminds me, Mom always enjoyed a drink of Gilby's dry gin and ginger ale. Granddaughter Carrie once made Mom a drink that is still talked about to this day. I remember late nights playing canasta. Who can't smile when they remember playing a marbles game called aggravation with Mom? You soon found out how competitive she was. I remember Mom sitting around the campfire soaking in the good times with family and friends. She dearly looked forward to a visit from Anne and Wolfgang and Rosemarie, Jillane and Baron. She volunteered her time for fundraising activities when Brent, Armand and Len went with the Scouts to Australia. Her generosity and enjoyment of youth was further demonstrated when she accompanied granddaughter Vanita and niece Audrey Gibbs to Germany for three weeks in 1984. She loved curling and curled in the senior's bonspiel, winning everything from the grand prize to the horse's ass trophy which you got when your team looses all their games. Mom also took up golfing and would talk to the ball even during her golf swing, scolding it for perhaps doing the wrong thing. Over the years Mom gave many people rides to shopping or visiting. That kind gesture was later repaid to Mom by Lenore Wakefield. We had a good laugh when Mom complained about the taxi cab drivers who kept their meter running while waiting at a red light. She claimed that if the cab was not moving she should not be paying. Mom refused to move out of her house to the Lodge or even to an apartment. She took pride in her own house and garden and her independence. Her good neighbours Tom and Peggy Lysak would always help her and watch out for her. Audrey and Gregg Gibbs were occasionally called upon for assistance. Reggie Malka frequently stopped in for a visit. There were many others who also helped her with phone calls and visits. When she was in the Lloyd mall she knew lots of people and would find time to chat with them all. The chorus of Alan Jackson's song titled Sissy's Song is very appropriate: She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting And I know she's smiling saying, don't worry 'bout me There is also a quote by Albert Einstein Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life. Mina is survived by Wayne and his wife Rosemary(Murray) Eglauer from Tofield and their children Jan (Richard) Bourgeault from St. Albert and their children Ethan and twins Kaitlyn and Avery; Carrie (Nick) Steele from St. Albert; Leslie (Phebe) Eglauer from St. Albert and their children Mallory and Bronwyn; Kenn (Cora) Eglauer from Wetaskiwin and their daughter Hannah. Mina is also survived by Tom and his wife Laura(Locher) Eglauer from Tofield and their children Brent (Barb) Eglauer from Edmonton and their children Colton, Noah and Alycia; Vanita Eglauer and Darrell Liptak from Tofield and their family Kendra and Derek; Armand Eglauer from Calgary; and Len Eglauer from Edmonton and his daughter Megan and Len's fiancé Nancy Stitsen. Mina is also survived by Wolfgang Rackow, Anne's husband, and their children Rosemarie Rackow from Vegreville and her children Kassandra and Austin; Jillane (Dave) Tonner from Shaunavon and their children Damaris, Jacinda, Josiah and Darius; Baron (Liz) Rackow from Swift Current and their children Brianna, Mairyn and Keiran. Active pallbearers were all of Mina's grandsons, Brent Eglauer, Armand Eglauer, Len Eglauer, Baron Rackow, Les Eglauer and Kenn Eglauer The members of the choir were Madeline Robson, Raymond Faltermeier, Wendy Wack with Donna Weston playing the organ. Internment followed in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. The family would like to thank everyone who helped in any way for Mom's and Grandma's funeral and also for your prayers and condolences in person, by telephone and on the McCaw web site. Please remember Mina with a smile. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a charity of the donors choice.