Lois Marie Jenkins

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Lois Marie Jenkins. Marie was born on February 28,1928 in Macleod Valley, Alberta and passed-away on August 18, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Pembina Village in Evansburg, Alberta. She was predeceased by her father Merlyn James Jenkins, mother Louise, brother Charles Jenkins, sister Annabelle Rae Weist and brother-in-law Otto Weist. She leaves to mourn the Weist, Lorenz, Ware families as well as her nieces Cheryl (Bill) and Jennifer; nephew Matthew and great nephew Eiler as well as the community of Evansburg where she made her forever home. Before settling in Evansburg she lived many places including, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California. 

As a child living in MacLeod Valley Marie said her Mother would recite her poetry. A special trait of Marie’s was when a situation arose, she would say “she was reminded of a poem” and she would recite it to us, it is so special to have this memory. 

She was devoted to her parents, her brother and especially to her beloved sister Rae. Where you saw one sister the other was close by, we never heard a cross word spoken between them. They were inseparable until Rae passed-away in 2008. When her parents and brother were in poor health, she spent many hours travelling by bus to Seattle to help and be with them.  

Marie’s career accomplishments were numerous. She worked for the Government of Alberta, the Alberta Apprenticeship Board and was a much-loved Business Teacher at M.E.Lazzerte, Edson High School, Norquest and finally at Grand Trunk School in Evansburg where she and her sister Rae taught and retired together. She co-authored a typing book, titled Applications in Typewriting, which was used to teach typing specifically business typing across the Province of Alberta. She received many awards throughout her lifetime which are too countless to mention.

In our community Marie was the go-to for any business requirements, she took the minutes for many community/board meetings in the area. She also belonged to the Historical Society where she helped compile the Evansburg history book, the Foley Trail. She willingly and happily helped wherever and whenever she was needed. 

She was extremely skilled at the lost art of shorthand, to Marie it was second nature. In later years as her health was failing, she would write notes to herself and myself (Shirley) some in shorthand which I could not decipher??? Her business sensed help us through those years!!

For those of you that do not know, Marie did not cook! That was left up to her sister Rae the Home Economics teacher. When Rae passed-away, Marie stood up to the task and helped with the daily care of her brother in law Otto which included cooking and much, much more. The Lorenz, Weist and Ware families are forever grateful for this. After Otto passed-away she attended the local restaurants for her daily meals and was often seen walking downtown snow, rain or shine. 

She was a long-time member of the Drayton Valley Anglican Church. When there were no longer Anglican church services in Evansburg Marie then attended all church services faithfully in Evansburg on Sunday. Her faith in God was strong.  

We could go on about all of Marie’s accomplishments but that was not who Marie was. We believe our community has their own special memories of our dear friend Marie. We thank the community for always keeping a watchful eye out for her. How do we sum up 92 years of serving and dedication? For our family Marie was our rock, steady, unwavering, honest, fair, never pressuring, always thankful, always faithful, always caring. She lived an impeccable life. Her parting hymn she herself selected is I Feel the Winds of God Today. Marie was a cherished member of our family and we will miss her dearly. Forever in our hearts Rest in Peace Marie. 

We would like to thank Dr. Murphy and all the compassionate staff at the Good Samaritan Pembina Village for their devotion and wonderful care. Unfortunately, due to circumstance we are unable to have a public funeral. A private service will be held, and Marie will be interred next to her dear sister Rae in the Evansburg Cemetery. 

Donation can be made to the Good Samaritan Pembina Village or to a charity of one’s choice. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lois Marie Jenkins, please visit our floral store.