Doris Mae Strickert Ross

Doris Strickert
daughter of Frank Earl Strickert, son of Friedrich Charles Strickert, son of Johann Christian Friedrich Strickert, son of, son of Johann and Christina Strickert.

Doris Mae Strickert Ross died at Fairview, Alberta on Thursday, February 16, 2006.

Doris Mae Ross, the oldest daughter of Frank and Bertha Strickert was born March 26, 1926 at Strasbourg, Sask. She received most of her schooling at East Mount School and completed her high school in Strasbourg. After finishing grade 12 she worked as a telephone operator in the town of Strasbourg. In those years, young people gathered at the local skating rink for socializing. There she fell under the spell of a certain hockey player that literally skated her off her feet. On April 7, 1945, Doris married Leslie Ross.

They began farming in the Strasbourg area just down the road from both sets of parents. In 1946 they were blessed with the arrival of their first daughter Marcia Diane. Lloyd David followed in 1951. In 1953 they made the move to Sundre, Alberta where Margo Elizabeth was born in 1954. In 1957 the family moved to the Hardisty area and Ian James was born there in 1959. In 1962 they homesteaded in the Cleardale area which has been their home since that time. During Canada's 1967 Centennial they were blessed with their third daughter Birdie Mardelle.

Doris showed her grit and determination along with the other women who pioneered this area. There were no modern conveniences. No power, no telephone, no indoor plumbing or running water. Water supply came in five gallon pails or in the winter time from melting snow. The work was never light. Her kind are few and far between.

Doris was meticulous in recording the temperatures and precipitation for Enviroment Canada for a total of 48 years. She was still recording this information until her hospitalization in November 2005. A particular highlight of that was when the "Western Producer" magazine featured the record high and low temperatures from Cleardale on their weather page.

Doris was very community minded. She spent time volunteering, teaching English as a second language. From that experience she grew as a person and gained many lifelong friends. She was known far and wide for her hospitality and down home cooking. There are many who have spent time at her kitchen table, enjoying coffee, good food, and listening to her and Les spar. She loved each and every one and you can be sure there was a prayer raised on your behalf.

Doris had hobbies that she enjoyed. Among these were her garden and her plants. She would bring a slip from far and wide, Plant it and enjoy it. She also loved to sew. Many things that were made for her children were made from items that could be remade. She was a true pioneer in recycling. Quilting was her great passion. She enjoyed the electric sewing machine, but when a project came along that needed extra care, she would only trust her Singer treadle sewing machine.

One of her favorite things in the world were her grandkids. As each came along her love for them grew and she could find little fault in any of them. This joy in her life was multiplied as her great grandchildren began to arrive. She also had a special place in her heart for her many adopted grandkids of the community.

Doris passed away at Fairview, Alberta on Thursday, February 16, 2006.

She was predeceased by an infant brother Lloyd, her father Frank Strickert and her mother Bertha (Schulz) Strickert, her daughter Marcia Diane and her son Ian James.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Les Ross, her sister Beryl (Victor) Gruchy and family of Strasbourg, her son Lloyd (Donna) and their children MacKay, Jeanie and Amanda, her daughter Margo (Larry) Emary and their children Jay (Karlene) and great-granddaughters Megan and Allison, AW (Lauren) and great-grandson Hunter and granddaughter Michelle Emary, Her daughter Mardelle (Jaun) Huss and their children Jesse and Alexa.

She was a cornerstone to her family as well as to the community and her absence will be greatly noticed. Her faith in God brought her through all the trials as well as the joy life brings.

A memorial service was held on Monday, February 20, 2006 at Cleardale, Alberta. Interment at Cleardale Cemetery.

Doris Mae Strickert Ross-- Feb. 16, 2006