Obituary of Iola Marlene Lemon

With hearts full of love and sorrow, we say goodbye to Iola Lemon, who passed away unexpectedly on March 7, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on September 27, 1945, in Provost, Alberta, she was the eldest of eight children to Pauline (Stang) and Herbert Biever.

Iola was born in Provost and grew up in Edmonton before coming back to Provost in 1957 with the family.  She finished high school and attended secretarial school in Edmonton before meeting Jim (James) Lemon during this time.  They married in Provost on May 22, 1965 and made Provost their home.

Shortly after starting her family, Iola started working at the Provost Medical Centre in 1967 and if you had ever visited there, you would have encountered Iola’s smiling face. She remained at PMC until her retirement after Jim passed away in 2009.

Raising her family in Provost was filled with family adventures, Brownie/Guides, hockey, softball, school sports, and camping. She was game for anything and always there supporting her family.  Iola loved to travel and the adventures that brought. From San Francisco, Europe, Bonaire, Hawaii, and Mexico, to name a few and most recently to Australia to visit Corie and her grandsons. She gathered trinkets along her travels and proudly showcased her treasures, each with a story she loved to share. Iola’s massive passion for nature with noticing the flock of birds overhead, the Albertan sunsets she could capture from her back patio, and her flowers…  She loved her flowers and puttering around in her garden with her baby’s breath, petunias, potatoes, and anything else she brought from the markets or nurseries. This passion was a reflection of who she was, and she lived by the mantra to ‘always stop and 
smell the roses’.

Above all, Iola was passionate about life and the people she loved. Her generosity extended to her community, where she volunteered her time and resources to the Guides Of Canada and Bodo Archaeological Society. She had partner in crimes; being her sister Priscilla where their chats could be heard well into the night, and her regular blue bird trail excursions with Lois. She loved nothing more than sharing coffee and conversation with her cherished friends—Donna, Ralph, Lynda, and many others who would stop by for a visit, filling her home with warmth and laughter. Her kindness knew no bounds, and she touched the lives of many through her acts of compassion. Whether it was a listening ear, a warm hug, or a word of encouragement, she had a unique ability to make everyone feel valued and cherished.  She had a deeply kind heart, and if you were lucky enough to know her, you felt the warmth of her presence.

Though we weren’t ready to say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing that God had bigger plans for Iola. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy—one of love, strength, and the unwavering reminder to find joy in the little things. She may no longer walk beside us, but she will forever watch over us, guiding us through life as she always did—with love.

Iola is deeply missed by her children and their families: Corinne (Joe) and their sons, Jackson and Bennett; Kim (Michelle) and their children, Devery and Jordan. She is also lovingly remembered by her brothers Dwayne (Julie), Brian (Cathy), Claude (Donna), Randy (Kevin), Jody (Tracey) and her sister Deb (Barry), along with her many nieces and nephews.

She now reunites with those who went before her: her husband, Jim; her parents, Pauline and Herb; her in-laws, Anna and Russ; her cherished sister, Priscilla; her son-in-law, Joe Wilchynski; and her siblings-in-law, Earl Gillespie, Dwyn Gillespie, Chris Lemon and Joan Plante.

Though she is no longer here in person, her love, laughter, and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Rest peacefully, Iola. You will always be loved, always be missed, and never be forgotten.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Provost, Alberta with Father Christopher Selvaraaj Rayappan SAC officiating. Interment to follow at the Provost Cemetery.

 

Gregory’s Funeral Home Inc.

www.gregorysfuneralhomes.com