Obituary of Selma Weiss

Selma Weiss 1924 - 2019 Selma Weiss was born on April 10, 1924 on the family farm south of Shellbrook. She was the third daughter born to Lidia and Joseph Schmalz and the seventh of eleven children. She attended Mount Teviot school until she was 14. Her schooling ended because she was needed at home to help with cooking, canning, milking, feeding animals, gardening, and looking after younger siblings. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, embroidery and spinning wool. For fun she enjoyed being down by the river with other young people and playing baseball. Selma met Robert Weiss at an early age, had a long and secretive courtship, and was married February 8, 1942 at the Lutheran Church in Brightholme, she was 17. An interesting note is that Selma had 3 sisters who married 3 of Robert’s brothers. Their first home was on a ¼ section in the Brightholme District. Born to Selma & Robert while on the farm were four children: Clarence (1942), Lorraine (1943), Don (1944) and Allan (1946). There was no running water or electricity but there was always food as Selma grew a large garden, canned every vegetable and wild berry imaginable, canned wild meat, and made crocks of sauerkraut. There were clothes for her children as she sewed everything, often making new clothes from old clothes and all without a pattern. In 1948 they moved to Kitchener for a year but returned the next year and remained on the farm until 1957 when they moved into Shellbrook. It was there that a 5th child Elaine (1958) was added to the family. While living in Shellbrook and raising 5 children Selma worked at many local businesses including Topping’s Grocery, the Robinson Store and for 10 years at the Macleod’s Hardware Store. Selma besides working 6 days a week continued with gardening, canning, baking and sewing not only for her family but for many people in the community as she was a gifted seamstress. Her faith and serving at the Shellbrook Pentecostal Assembly was an integral part of her life. Selma loved people, loved feeding people and was game for any outing anywhere. After retiring at 65 she took up golfing, spent many hours fishing & camping and whenever an opportunity presented itself was off to visit and babysit for her family. She literally lived for her family who were so blessed by having a mother who was always there for them. Robert passed away in 2004 and for a time she stayed at their home in Shellbrook before moving to a suite in Homestead Place. Declining health saw her move to Lily’s Lodge before entering into Long Term Care in August of 2015. She was briefly in Spiritwood LTC, then Pineview Terrace in Prince Albert before moving into the Parkland Integrated Health Facility in Shellbrook in December of 2015. It is there that she spent her last years being well cared for and loved by the dedicated staff. Selma passed away at 94 years of age on February 10, 2019 with family by her side. Selma is survived by her 5 children: Clarence (Marilynn), Lorraine (Glen), Don (Hilda), Allan (Noreen) and Elaine (Marvin); 9 Grandchildren, 19 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren; her Sister Esther (Harvey); 2 Cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert; two Great-Grandbabies; her parents Lidia & Joseph Schmalz; her parents-in-law Caroline & Christof Weiss; 6 brothers, 3 sisters and their spouses; 5 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law and their spouses; and special friend Marie (Art) Schmidt. A Celebration of Selma’s life will be held Tuesday, February 26, 2019 @ 11:00 am at Shellbrook Pentecostal Assembly with Pastor David Bodvarson officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband of 62 years in the Shellbrook Cemetery. Donations in lieu of other tributes may be made to: Shellbrook & Districts Health Services Foundation - Activity Department or to the Woodland Bus Association. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Tammy Smart – Director (Shellbrook 306-747-2828).