Frier
On February 4, 2014, Hilda Rosalinda Frier (nee Schmiedge) passed peacefully into God’s arms at the age of 87 years. Hilda was predeceased by her loving husband Lorne in 1997 and by all of their brothers and sisters as well. She is survived by her children: Connie (Wayne) Townsend, Debbie (Don) Crabbe and Kelly Frier; grandchildren: Shane (Trina) Townsend, Dawn (Cory) Harsch, Tyler Crabbe, Meagan (Craig) Oudot, Dillon (Jamie) Crabbe, Kevin Frier and Corey Frier; ten great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Jean Schmiedge, Emma (Art) Schmiedge Shaw and Irene Frier, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Hilda was born in Davidson on August 28, 1926 to Adolph and Rosalinda Schmiedge – the youngest of seven siblings: Rudy, Harold, Ted, Herb, Erma and Art. Later in life, she gained two step-siblings, Otto and Emma Schmiedge. On October 8, 1949 she married Lorne and they settled on the Frier farm east of Davidson. Through the 1950’s their family grew when Connie, Debbie and Kelly were born. Hilda and Lorne enjoyed the farming way of life – while Lorne looked after the fields and livestock, Hilda looked after the kids, the home and her large vegetable and flower gardens. Though Lorne’s health forced them to sell the farm in 1967 and move into town, they were always farmers at heart. They loved to tend to their garden and yard, which was admired for years by many. Hilda was a wonderful homemaker and excellent cook and her family was the most important thing in the world to her.
Hilda spent her whole life in the Davidson area and was an active member of the community and participated in many organizations throughout the years. Hilda and Lorne were very active members of the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs and were instrumental in the building of Davidson’s first swimming pool in 1967. Hilda was very proud to work at the pool in its early years and knew the names of nearly every child in town back then! Hilda’s faith was strong and she was very active in the Lutheran church. She and Lorne enjoyed leading the church youth groups and were especially proud to chaperone two groups of teens on trips to eastern Canada through the Young Voyageur program.
In 1972 Lorne and Hilda purchased the local SGI Insurance business and they worked together in Frier Agencies for many years. Adding the travel agency services was catalyst to them enjoying many vacations to various Mexican, Caribbean and US destinations. They loved meeting and visiting with people and made many friends along the way. They loved to host friends and family at their home, play cards and dance!
A funeral service in celebration of Hilda’s life was held on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Davidson with Pastor Sonje Finnestad presiding and interment followed at the Davidson Community Cemetery. Hilda’s nephews Everett Johnson and Gary Schmiedge were ushers and niece Arlene McCreary and Terry Sanderson attended the register. Active Pallbearers were Hilda’s Grandchildren and honorary pallbearers were all Staff of Davidson and District Health Care Centre and all Relatives and Friends who shared in Hilda’s life journey.
This is an excerpt from some family memories shared by Hilda’s Granddaughter, Dawn: “I found a basic definition stating that “The Good Life” is simply a life that one would want to live or having happiness. I think you’ll agree that Grandma was very fortunate to have lived a Good Life.
She was a dedicated wife, mother and community leader. She was tough and she was proud. Grandma was a lady that was always put together! And Grandma could cook! It started out on the farm, with the gourmet meals taken to the field, sometimes with a card table! The smell of a cooking turkey will forever remind us of Christmas dinners at Grandma and Grandpa’s…and walking into that house as the steam poured out the back door because of all the cooking! As we got older and children and grandchildren grew up and moved away, Christmas at Grandma’s house became more special as it was one of the few times that we would put our busy lives on hold and all get together. Grandma was the glue of the family.
She was an excellent hostess, a supportive mother and dedicated member of her community. She was steadfast in her beliefs…she knew her mind and spoke it. Some may say she was even a little stubborn! To some she was just “Mom”, to some she was Grandma. She was awesome and she was “there”…she was just always there for us…for a game of cards, chicken dumplings, family gatherings or simply to stop and visit.
After Grandpa died in 1997, Grandma continued to play cards with the ladies in town. She enjoyed trips to the casino and spa and continued to enjoy her family! As a family we are so grateful to the Davidson Health-Care Centre for giving Grandma a new home in 2008. In the last few years, she may not have always remembered the names of all her great-grandchildren, or “who belonged to who”, but she knew we were family, she knew she was loved and she always had a smile on her face.
Whether Grandma was your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt or friend, she will be sorely missed. But greater than the sorrow in her death is the joy that she spread in her life and the lessons she taught us. And her lessons are plentiful. They are lessons that will live on forever. Grandma taught us to be proud, generous, and caring, to love your family without judgment, to be supportive of your community and your church. She taught us how to garden, how to gamble and how to have fun!
Hers was a Good Life – a Great Life – and we are so grateful to have been a part of it for so long. People die, but memories live on forever. Grandma left this world better than it was when she entered it…she made a difference. Her contributions are plentiful, but her legacy is her family. Her wisdom and love will continue to guide each of her three children and their families through their lives. Grandma had a solid 87 years. She lived a ‘Good Life’.”
For friends so wishing, donations in memory of Hilda may be directed to the Davidson Swimming Pool Fund, the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation or Sask. Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.