LYDIA (HILDEA) SCHALIN

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LYDIA (HILDEA) SCHALIN Lydia (or Hildea - her actual given name) Schalin, nee Rentz, was the first child born to Adolf and Angella Rentz on August 29, 1919 at Horschik, Ukraine. In 1928 her family immigrated to Canada, however, Lydia having sustained a broken arm had to remain in Holland to receive medical treatment and to wait to make the trip to Canada on the next ship accompanied by friends of the Rentz family, who also were to settle in the Morris area. In her early years in Morris she accepted the Lord as her personal Saviour; was baptized, and joined the Morris Emmanuel Baptist Church. After completing her Grade schooling in Morris, Lydia left to find employment in the big city of Winnipeg; where she was employed as a housemaid for some distinguished families. After a number of years in Winnipeg, she returned to Morris and worked in the local post office. Lydia met a fine gentleman from Saskatchewan and on October 27, 1949 she was married to Ewald Schalin. They resided on the Schalin family farm in the Lockwood, Saskatchewan area. Their daughter, Christal was born to them on March 27, 1951. Sadly, twin boys born in 1952, died at birth. Ewald succumbed to serious heart complications and died in November 1955 at the age of 45. Lydia and her young daughter remained on the farm in Lockwood until the next spring and then Lydia chose to move back to Morris to be close to family; leaving the farm in the hands of a renter. Back in Morris, Lydia took up employment at the Morris Hospital where she worked for many years - as a nurse's aide and then in the Food Services Department. After the death of her father, Lydia moved into the family home to look after her mother as well as her daughter and her brother Rueben. In her later years and until the time of her death Lydia enjoyed her apartment and her many friends at the Villa. Lydia was admitted to the Morris Hospital on May 2, 2009 after encountering breathing difficulties. After having enjoyed an all afternoon and evening visit with daughter Christal and several other guests on the Monday evening, Lydia quietly moved from this life to enjoy the glory of Heaven and to be in the presence of her precious Lord and Saviour. She leaves to mourn her passing, daughter Christal and husband Elmer, and their two sons David and Jonathon of Rosenort and Winnipeg, her brother William of Edmonton and sister Agnes of Morris; as well as many special nieces and nephews and their families. Lydia was predeceased by her twin sons in 1952, her husband, Ewald in 1955; brothers Eugene (1929), Eric (1936), Waldie (1971), Reuben (2005), sister-in-law Gladys (2003), and parents Adolf and Angella (1963). Christal and family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Fraser and the wonderfully caring nursing staff at the Morris Hospital. Lydia's funeral service will be held at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Morris on Friday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. There will be viewing at the Morris Funeral Home today (Thursday) from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church prior to the service. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Chain of Love Ministries. MORRIS FUNERAL HOME Phone 746-2451 Toll Free 1-866-746-2451 morrisfuneralhome@mts.net

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 07, 2009