MERTZ: Rose Lea
August 19, 1917 - April 16, 2014
The death of Mrs. Rose Lea (nee Olynuk) Mertz of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. She was 96 years of age. Rose, the second child in a family of 11, was born on August 9, 1917, to John and Anne (nee Hutnick) Olynuk at home on their farm in the Middle Lake district. Rose married Joseph Mertz and they farmed in the Wilmot area for a number of years. They were blessed with a family of four children: Roman, Lillian, Ervin and Linda. They owned the Middle Lake café where Lillian and Linda helped work. Rose loved cooking so took on the position of cooking at Bethany Pioneer Village where she was also treasurer. Rose and her brother Bill were inseparable and fishing was one of the things they did together. She also loved curling, bowling, and was an avid bingo player with her best friend, Mary Schwingenschloegl. They split everything they won (turkeys, etc.) and Mary was so happy when Rose moved. Rose had quite the green thumb when it came to gardening and there wasn't a berry that was safe in the country when she was near. She did gardening right up to the age of 92. Rose will be lovingly remembered by her four children, 11 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren: Roman Mertz of Middle Lake and family, Glen(Trish) Mertz and children Kyle and Kaylee, (David's family) Carla and son Luke, Karen(Hal) Smith and children Haley, Alysha and Cole, Wayne(Michelle) Mertz and children Heather and Sarah, Donna(Darcy) Altermatt and children Dalan and Danae, and Dale Mertz; Lillian Galambos of St. Benedict and family, Darryl(Leann) Galambos and children Paige, Dakota and McKenzie, Denise Galambos and children Brendan and Kaileigh, and Darla(Ted) Pipchuk and children Tanner and Jesse; Ervin Mertz of Pilger and family, Carleen Richardson and children Mark, Megan and Matthew; and Linda(Norman) Lux of Humboldt and family, Bonnie Lux and children Brett and Bailey, and Lisa(Gord) Bilinski and children Ty and Chaz; one brother and two sisters: Mike Olynuk of Middle Lake, Josephine Storer of Bobcaygeon, ON, and Helen Christ of Prince Albert; in-laws: Hilda Olynuk of British Columbia, Stan Desormeau of Saskatoon, and Sophie Olynuk of Humboldt; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Mertz; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Mertz; son-in-law, Delmar Galambos; two grandsons: Colin Mertz and David Mertz; great-granddaughter, Faith Mertz; parents, John and Anne (nee Hutnick) Olynuk; five brothers and two sisters: Bill Olynuk (in infancy), Bill Olynuk, Nick Olynuk, Tony Olynuk, Patricia Desormeau, Mary (Edgar) Brons, and Pete Olynuk; in-laws: Leona Olynuk, Doug Storer, and Ralph Christ; and by other family members. The Funeral Mass was offered at Canadian Martyrs R.C. Church, Middle Lake, on Monday, April 21, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB. Others taking part were: Dale Mertz, crossbearer; Glen Mertz, urnbearer; Michelle Mertz and Carla Mertz, scripture readers and intentions; Lillian Galambos and Denise Galambos, giftbearers; and Rhonda Baker, organist. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Rose's life". The eulogy was delivered by Carleen Richardson at the memorial luncheon. Memorial donations may be directed to either Bethany Pioneer Village or the Canadian Martyrs Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
