HOEL, Vera Viola Yea, though I walk through the valley of theshadow of death...
Mrs. Vera Viola Hoel entered into eternal rest on Saturday, October 2, 2004 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre at the young age of 88 years. She was born on March 16, 1916 at Whitla, Alberta. Vera is survived by her granddaughters, Crystal (Kevin) Gray and Treena (Patrick) Martin, both of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and great grandchildren, Hailee, Brooke, Riley and Kelsey Gray and LeLand Martin. Vera also leaves to mourn her loss, two brothers, Len (Doris) and Roy Schmelzer of Condor, Alberta; sisters-in-law, Reta Schmelzer of Rocky Mountain House and Muriel Schmelzer of Didsbury, Alberta; daughter-in-law, Valerie Jones (Michael) of Victoria, British Columbia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and cousins. Vera was predeceased by her first husband, Richard Callum (1952) and her second husband, Nels Hoel (1970), her parents, Fred (1944) and Emma (1971) Schmelzer; son, Morrie Schmelzer (2000), twin brother, Vernon (1996), brothers, Earl (1930), Arthur (1992), Lloyd (1937), Martin (1994), twin brothers, Tinnie and Sonnie (1929), sister-in-laws, Joyce (1990) and Iris (1996). Vera lived her early years in the Taber and Lethbridge areas. She began working out at an early age for various farm wives. She worked as a dietician assistant in Vancouver, British Columbia during World War II. During this time, she married her first husband, Richard Callum on November 8, 1935. After his passing, she returned to Alberta, where she met and married her second husband, Nels Hoel on June 20, 1955. They farmed in the Bow Island area until Nels passed away in 1970 and she retired in the town of Bow Island. She became an integral part of the community and received the town's Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001. She gave freely of her time, assisting those around her by doing household chores, yard maintenance, painting and providing transportation to others for shopping, medical appointments and general outings. Vera's greatest joy's in life were volunteering, dancing and traveling. She spent a great deal of time traveling in both Canada and the United States, where she visited with family and friends. Her last big adventure was a cruise to Alaska for her 85th birthday which she thoroughly enjoyed. The years were kind to Vera and she maintained an active life up till the last year when a broken hip and knee operation slowed her down somewhat but she still managed to get together with friends and family. She was loved by all that met her and will be sadly missed by everyone that she touched the hearts of. She brought new meaning to the old saying "it's not how old you are, it's how young you feel inside".
"...and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever". A Funeral Service will be held at The Salvation Army, 4837 - 54th Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 3:30 p.m. with Captains Colin & Maureen Bain officiating. An additional Memorial Service will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, Bow Island, Alberta on Friday, October 8, 2004 at 11:30 a.m. A Graveside Service will be held at the Hillside Cemetery, Medicine Hat, Alberta on Friday, October 8, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. If desired, memorial donations in Vera's honour may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 4730A Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 1X2. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at
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