Obituaries: Ann (Horban) Strobel

February 9, 2024

5 minutes read

1934 ~ 2024 (age 89)

Mom was born on July 25, 1934 on a small farm in Franchere, AB, to Paul and Olga Horban who were of Ukrainian descent. She was the second oldest in a family of 10 children. They had very little in those early years and much of the help needed on the farm rested with Mom and her older sister Mary. Mom recalled her love of growing up in “the bush”, walking cow paths, meeting up with friends, and spending time at nearby Moose Lake.

Once she had finished high school, in 1953 she moved to Edmonton where she had a 15-year career working as a civilian office clerk for the Royal Canadian Air Force – Namao, as well as at the Federal Department of Taxation. There she met many co-workers who became lifelong friends.

In 1967, during long weekends and holidays spent with her sister and her husband, Ruth and John Purvis, who farmed near Tramping Lake, SK, Mom met a friend of uncle John’s named Martin Strobel who happened to be a single farmer in the Luseland area.

Mom always fancied tall, dark and handsome fellows, and Martin fit that bill perfectly along with his sky blue eyes. Soon they began dating and married on July 27, 1968.

They settled on the Strobel family grain and cattle farm south of Luseland, which started her new adventure of having to learn to how cook and bake for her family, inlaws, and hired farm hands. She was never taught to cook and bake for a crowd growing up because farm work had been her duty; but with her usual style and grace, she soon formed her extraordinary talent in the kitchen.

On May 25, 1969 Martin and Ann welcomed their son, Lorne. In March of 1971, they were happy to add baby girl, Leeyan. Four years later, their family was complete, when their daughter Lana was born on July 17, 1975.

Mom had her work cut out for her. Not only did she look after the needs of us kids, she also planted a large vegetable garden each year which she preserved at harvest time, but she also planted and tended to new trees and enjoyed working on landscaping around the house with annuals and perennial flowers.

In addition to all of that work, her home was always clean, the laundry was always caught up and pressed, clothes were always mended, and she always had fresh baking and delicious meals on the go. We don’t know how she did it all. Dad appreciated all the work she did because he often came home with a new and beautiful outfit for her to wear to church or special occasion. She loved beautiful clothes and jewelry, and he enjoyed showering her with these gifts. Even to the last few days of her life, she insisted that she dress in nice clothes with jewelry to match.

Mom and Dad always enjoyed entertaining. Over the years, many people sat at their dining room table or kitchen table to enjoy her cooking and to visit with them. Whether it was for the holidays, Sunday dinners, youth group suppers, or her kids’ friends coming over any other day of the week, Mom’s kitchen was always open. Anyone lucky enough to have had a seat at her table remembers Mom’s perogies, fresh bread, apple pie, homemade sausage and many other tasty dishes and desserts.

In 2000, Mom and Dad retired off the farm and moved into Luseland when Lorne and Larisa took over the family farm operation along with their children, Virginia, Evan and Dean. Mom and Dad got a chance to live the retired life in Town. Unfortunately, enjoying retired life together didn’t last too long when Dad passed away suddenly in November of 2002 at the age of 68.

Several months later, Mom bought her house at Graham Place in Luseland where she made it beautiful and homey with the help of Lorne and Larisa as well as Larisa’s Dad, Erwin Reimer. And with the help of her good friend, Nancy, she also kept the yard tidy. She enjoyed hosting Virginia, Evan and Dean during school-day lunch times, as well as cross stitch, embroidery, in-depth Bible Study, reading books, choir practice and being active in her church and other ladies’ groups. She took daily walks to get the mail but was so thankful for those who drove her to church and back. Her church family and friends always looked out for her which she never took for granted.

In those years changes were happening with Mom. Her once-sharp mind was starting to fail her which caused her much anxiety. She was eventually diagnosed with vascular dementia. By 2010, she was urged by her doctor to move into an assisted-living facility where she wouldn’t have to worry about managing a home and yard. This led to her move to the newly-opened Caleb Village in Kindersley in the Fall of that year where she enjoyed living like a Queen. There were always plenty of activities and people to visit with, and she didn’t have to wash one pot or pan. She adapted very well to the change and thrived in this environment. Us kids recall trying to call her on the phone, but she could hardly ever be reached because she was always out and about enjoying all the activities and visits over coffee with all the other residents at Caleb.

In 2013, Mom was diagnosed with Diabetes which added an extra layer of complication to her health. In 2015, it was apparent that she required increased care in a long-term-care facility. After a brief stay at Heritage Manor in Kindersley while she waited for a spot to open in Tisdale, she was able to move into the newly-constructed Newmarket Place long-term care facility in Tisdale to be closer to Leeyan, Scott and their children Finn and Logann. There she had a beautiful and spacious room with the best view in Tisdale out her large window that faced west. She could see people going for walks on the trails and playing in the dog park, she could watch the trains moving on the tracks, she could watch children sliding down the famous Mount Tisdale on their toboggans just across the parking lot and occasionally would be impressed by the STARS Ambulance landing or taking off from the heli-pad which was also directly in her view. In addition to the excitement out her window, she could also watch the beautiful sunsets. She received excellent care and many activities to keep her busy.

Through the past nine years at New Market, she continued to miss Dad and talked about meeting up with him, waiting with her purse by the door for someone to take her to him. She never stopped looking for him. Of course, this too became less and less as the years passed, but her purse was always ready.

Just after Christmas, Mom’s health began a rapid decline. The month of January was particularly difficult for her and it was clear that her body was giving up. On Sunday night, February 4, 2024 at exactly 11 pm, with Leeyan and Lana by her side and Lorne on the phone sending his love, Mom peacefully left this world to be welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to be reunited with Dad and all those whom she loved who passed before her. We can just imagine the amazing welcome she received as she entered into glory! She will never look back!

We are so grateful for the example she set for us in every aspect of her life. We will cherish the memories we have with her and will miss her sweet spirit, genuine kindness and the warmth of her loving arms.

Services
FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday
February 10, 2024
2:30 PM
Luseland Alliance Church
101 Anderson St.
Luseland, SK SoL2A0

Donations
Luseland Bible Camp
Box 71, Luseland SK S0L 2A0
Tel: 1-306-372-7970
Email: director@luselandbiblecamp.ca
Web: http://www.luselandbiblecamp.ca/

e transfers can be done through the director’s email as above