PRATCHLER: Elizabeth Marie
July 8, 1917 - September 20, 2014
Mrs. Elizabeth Marie (nee Taphorn) Pratchler of St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt, SK, passed away peacefully at her residence on Saturday, September 20, 2014. She was 97 years of age. Liz, as she was affectionately called, was born on July 8, 1917, to George and Agatha (nee Richels) Taphorn at home on their farm in the St. Gregor district. She grew up there and attended Sjolie and St. Gertrude rural schools. After completing her elementary education, Liz was employed at various farms in the LeRoy area. The strong work ethics she formed in her childhood and youth remained with her and served her well on her life's journey. On November 11, 1941, she married Martin Pratchler. They began their life together on a farm southeast of Muenster. Their union was blessed with two sons. In 1946, Liz and Martin bought a farm one-half mile south of St. Gertrude. Sadly, on October 23, 1948, Martin passed away following a short illness, leaving Liz with two young sons, George (age 6), and Ben (age four). Martin was the first person to be buried at St. Gertrude Cemetery, in the same yard as St. Gertrude Church which he had helped build just a few short years before. Life on the farm was very difficult for a young widow with two small children. Eventually, Liz and her boys moved into Humboldt, where she worked at various locations, doing housecleaning and providing janitorial services at many businesses, including the Humboldt Credit Union for 21 years. When her son George and his family bought the Danish Oven Bakery, she spent innumerable hours helping them wherever she could, working in the back of the bakery or taking care of their children in her home when they were busy. Liz absolutely cherished her grandchildren, so that was truly a labor of love for her. She was truly an amazing mother and grandmother. Liz's home was also a place where everyone else felt welcome. She was a gracious hostess and a very young-at-heart, kind, humble and generous lady who loved having company. The meals and desserts she made were second-to-none, and you certainly never left hungry, even after just stopping in for coffee. Other activities Liz enjoyed were gardening, watching T.V. and, especially, visiting over a game of Rummy or Kaiser. It was a delight to be in her presence; her quick wit, sense of humor, hearty laugh, big smile, and the mischievous twinkle in her eyes endeared her to all. To know her was, indeed, to love her. She was an inspiration to all and lived the Golden Rule, always putting others before herself. Although Liz experienced many hardships throughout her life, she faced them all with her optimistic attitude and unwavering faith. Throughout her life, she devotedly attended Mass or, in later years, watched it on T.V. when she was unable to go. In 2011, due to failing health, Liz became a resident of Bethany Pioneer Village in Middle Lake and then relocated to St. Mary's Villa, her home until the present. "Gone from our sight but never our memories. Gone from our touch but never our hearts." Left to cherish Liz's memory are her two sons and their families: George (Jenny) Pratchler of Humboldt and family, Sean (Madeline) Pratchler and children, Daniel, Arianna, Aleah and Mattaya; Lori (Victor) Rowat; Chris (Janice) Pratchler and children, Gabrielle and Violet; Megan (Darren) Lueke and son Sawyer; and Sarah (Darcy) Weinrauch; and Ben (Ann) Pratchler of Edmonton, AB, and family, Kelsey Pratchler and children Serenity, Bailey and Rayden; one sister: Emma (Les) Bush of Edmonton, AB; one brother, Joseph "Joe" (Marge) Taphorn of White Rock, BC; sisters-in-law: Elsie (Al) Taphorn-Brown of Armstrong, BC, and Janie Taphorn of Humboldt, SK; brothers-in-law: Lionel "Curly" Fladager of Armstrong, BC, and Jack Uliski of Humboldt, SK; and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, Martin Pratchler (1948); father, George Taphorn (1959); mother, Agatha (nee Richels) Taphorn (1965); three brothers: George Taphorn Jr. (1965), Walter "Wally" Taphorn (1997), and John Taphorn (2011); four sisters: Frances Taphorn (in infancy); Agnes Angeli (1987), Catherine "Kay" Fladager (2003), and Rose (Klemm) Uliski (2012); brothers-in-law: Karl Klemm (1989), and Joseph "Joe" Angeli (1997); sister-in-law, Irene Taphorn (2003); special family friend, Karl "Charlie" Ecker (2008); and by one niece and three nephews. The Prayer Service for Liz was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. led by Jenny Irwin. Scripture readers were Lori Rowat and Sean Pratchler and the eulogy was delivered by Lori Rowat, Megan Lueke and Sarah Weinrauch. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Monday, September 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB. Others taking part were: Chris Pratchler, crossbearer; Megan Lueke and Sarah Weinrauch, urnbearers; Ruth Hiebert and Nick Schweighardt, altar servers; Lori Rowat and Sean Pratchler, scripture readers; Megan Lueke, intentions; Sylvia Koski and Marian Wassermann, giftbearers; Janie Taphorn, Marvel Taphorn and Pat Ristau, memorial table attendants. Music ministry was provided by director Loretta Schugmann, organist Marie Aubin, and the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Liz's life". Interment followed at St. Gertrude R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the St. Mary's Villa Foundation or the St. Gertrude Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
