Obituary of Loreen Marie Deck

Loreen Marie Koehmstedt was born February 21, 1932.  She, along with her twin sister Doreen, were the youngest of 6 children. 

She attended Glen Eden School until Grade 8.  After that she held various positions of helping families look after children as well as working on the farm, whether it was helping with chores or in the kitchen.  She and her sisters were often referred to as the Golden Girls wherever they went.

She met her sweetheart, Frank Deck, and after a brief courtship, they were married on October 25, 1954.  Together they raised 8 children and enjoyed life on the farm North East of Denzil for many years.  They were blessed to celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary, and then again with another big celebration for their 60^th wedding anniversary, and finally would see 61 years together, which not many people hold that privilege.

Throughout the years, Mom kept the household fed and usually half the countryside.  Her meticulous gardens over the years were the foundation of how hard work led to the many rewards.  From hauling dozens of pails of potatoes every year down the cellar stairs, right up to using every empty jar available to can and pickle every possible vegetable.  Her flowerbeds and garden never had a weed in them, as she put her heart and soul into every plant.

Her baking was everyone’s favorite.  There was always fresh bread & buns regardless of the day of the week.   The grandkids couldn’t wait for the dozens of rabbit cookies at Easter that were always iced in the perfect colors with a smartie for the eye.   She always made sure there was more than enough of everything.  Even if you just stopped in to say hi, you would get a quick feast prepared.

Favorite family holiday memories included packing up the car with all 8 kids, along with the cooler full of fried chicken, potatoe salad and pork & beans that she had prepared before they left.  This was usually the lunch that went to Dilberry Lake or Macklin Lake for the day or to sports days.

While sitting with Mom in her final hours, the family all remembered the many perms that were given in the kitchen over the years, not just to the kids but to many of the family members and nieces and nephews as well.  That’s a smell you just don’t forget!

Mom & Dad loved to play cards and visit.  After Dad passed, she continued those traditions.  She never turned down a game of Buck and would usually school everyone at the table.  After they moved off the farm into Provost, she enjoyed bowling and going to the Drop-In Centre.

Even in sickness, Mom kept her faith.  Days before she passed, a health worker found her Rosary lying on her blanket and asked her if she was finished.  She proudly answered that she was praying for her boys…. I guess Marlene never needed prayers, haha.

Mom had recently moved from the Lodge into Long Term Care and she was adjusting to her new space quite nicely.  Fate dealt Mom a blow on Friday morning when she suffered a massive stroke that she couldn’t come back from.  She was met Sunday morning at the Pearly Gates of Heaven by Dad and Colette.

Loreen was predeceased by her husband Frank and daughter Colette Jones.  Siblings:  Bernadette Wildeman, Mildred Stegman, Armella Sieben, Norman Koehmstedt, and Doreen Sieben.

Loreen is lovingly remembered by her children, David (Val), Brian, Ken (Theresa), Gordon (Lorna), Marlene (James), Kevin (Terry) and Irvin (Connie):  son in law Ken Jones (Glenda):  Grandchildren, Craig (Meagan), James (Lana), Nichole (Kathleen), Crystal (Jasan), Melody (Chris), Tyler (Amy), Jeremy (Skyla), Dustin (Tamara), Tina (Mathieu), Kyle (Brittany), Stephanie (Shawn), Michael (Ashley), Tyson (Julie), Daniel, Dylan (Celene), Brandon (Michelle), Austin, Shelby, Colby, Brad, Jamie (Nathan), Jessica (Jesse), Ryan (Payton), Amy:  Great Grandchildren Liam, Gareth, Westyn, Kyla, Grace, Avery, Emeri, Lexy, Carson, Kamryn, Huxley, Rowen, Jayla, Ava, Taigen, Kayne, Shay, Aliyah, Bryce, Reid, Erica, Grace, Kash, Hunter, Axel, Skylar, Brodie, Hayden, Zachary, Payton, Kolson, Hayden, Avery, Sam, Dexter, Tucker, Piper, Konrad:  Sister in law Agnes Schachtel, Brother in law August Watchel.

 

A funeral service for Loreen will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Provost, Alberta. A private family interment will follow at the Provost Cemetery.

 

Gregory’s Funeral Home Inc.

www.gregorysfuneralhomes.com