Ada Ethel McKen Milbrandt was born on February 2, 1925, the daughter of Charles and Ethel (nee Everest) McKen. Ada was born at home, during a blinding snow storm, the fourth of eight children. She attended Windsor School near Springside, where she met her soul mate Melford Milbrandt. Theirs was a courtship, marriage and love story that has lasted 84 years! Ada completed her Grade 9 and worked briefly at Buckle's Store in Yorkton. She enjoyed working there and meeting new friends. She returned home to help on the farm as her Mother's health was poor. On July 16, 1946, at the age of 21 years, Ada married her childhood sweetheart, Melford Milbrandt. The young couple moved into the farm house, that was about four miles north of where Ada was born, to live with his parents, Alfred and Laura Milbrandt. They shared that little house together for about a year before Alfred and Laura moved to Springside but a bond grew during that year that lasted a lifetime. Ada and Melford had a mixed farming operation. They farmed, milked cows, shipped cream, raised turkeys, chickens, pigs and even sheep. Ada was truly a hands on farm wife - there was nothing she couldn't do and enjoyed every minute of it. They welcomed two of their three children in that little house on the farm. Glenn was born on July 30, 1949 and Gary on April 4, 1953. They built their new house in 1959 and completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Wendy on July 20, 1960. Ada wrote that having her three children fulfilled her life. Ada loved to knit, crochet, quilt and sew. Her hands were never still and she always had a project on the go. She also loved to bake and the house always smelled of something warm and tasty - especially on the days she baked bread and buns! Ada enjoyed the bus tours she and Melford took with their friends, and also made new friends on these trips. However, her favourite place was still home! Ada attended the apostolic church for over 60 years and belonged to their missionary group. The best days, as she often said, were spent babysitting her nine grandchildren. She felt lucky to have had them so near her, so she could help raise them. They filled her heart with so much joy, and she loved each one of them dearly. Ada fought cancer bravely for 17 years. Each diagnosis that came her way was faced head on, with an attitude of "Let's just do what we have to do". She went to sleep peacefully with Melford, Glenn, Wendy, Donna, Faith, Brad, Adam and Gregg by her side on August 21, 2015 at the age of 90 years. Ada leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 69 years, Melford of Yorkton, SK; her son, Glenn (Donna) Milbrandt of Springside, SK; daughter-in-law, Faith Milbrandt of Springside, SK; daughter, Wendy (Brad) Schmidt of Yorkton, SK; Grandchildren, Gregg (Jodi) of Estevan, SK (and their children, Katie, Randi and Cameron), Kelly of Warsaw, Indiana (and children, Michael and Luca), Chad (Nicole) of Mission, BC (and their children, Raphael, Gabriel, Finn and Raina), Kris (Shanna) of Saskatoon, SK (and their children, Aurora, Zachary and Olivia), Kurtis (Malinda) of Didsbury, AB (and their children, Madelyn, Greta and Sophie), Lindsay (David) of Swift Current, SK (and their children, Hannah, Ethan and Owen), Laura (Devon) of Saskatoon, SK, Kyle (Jana) of Yorkton, SK and Adam of Yorkton, SK; her sisters, Olive Lange and Joyce (Les) Muir; her brothers, Morris (Jean) McKen Stan (Linda) McKen as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. Ada was predeceased by her son, Gary, this past January; her parents, Ethel and Charles McKen; her parents-in-law, Alfred and Laura Milbrandt; her brothers, Reginald, Norman and Wesley; her brothers-in-law, Lester Lange and nephews, Ken Lange and Grant Muir. A visitation for family and friends took place on Thursday, August 27, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK. A private family interment service preceded the Funeral Service on Friday, August 28, 2015 at the Yorkton City Cemetery with Gregg Milbrandt, Chad Milbrandt, Kris Milbrandt, Kurtis Milbrandt, Kyle Schmidt and Adam Schmidt serving as pallbearers. The Funeral Service took place on Friday, August 28, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Dave Taylor officiating. The organist, Mrs. Laurel Teichroeb led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Just As I Am" and "Beyond the Sunset." The soloist, Donna Milbrandt sang, "Mansion Over the Hilltop" and a trio of Ada's grandchildren, Madelyn, Greta and Sophie Milbrandt sang "Hallelujah." Gregg Milbrandt gave tribute on behalf of Ada's Grandchildren, Joyce Muir gave tribute on behalf of Ada's siblings and Glenn Milbrandt and Wendy Schmidt shared a tribute on behalf of Ada's children. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
