Obituary - Doreen Sailer
Doreen Sailer
1930 - 2022
The family of Doreen Sailer is sad to announce her passing on September 30, 2022 at South Country Village. Doreen was born in Medicine Hat on June 11, 1930 and raised on the family farm outside of Bow Island. At 16, Doreen left home to attend Garbutt's Business College in Medicine Hat. While living in Medicine Hat, she met Fred Sailer, whom she married on June 28, 1952. Doreen and Fred had four daughters. For years, Doreen was a stay at home mom however due to Fred’s stroke she became a working mom. Doreen worked as a secretary for Ens Construction for many years and then as a Certified Picture Framer for The Mitre Box (Dynes Gallery) until her retirement. After retiring Doreen volunteered at the Post for 15.5 years
Mom was a determined hard-working lady. She was a caregiver to different immediate family members for over 25 years. Through these difficult years, she never complained. Mom enjoyed reading, golfing and doing puzzles and of course spending time with her family. Mom was also a phenomenal seamstress, making many special outfits for her girls for Christmas, Easter, weddings and later for graduations.
One of Doreen and Fred’s special moments was celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary. She and Fred enjoyed travelling and she was fortunate to have been to the Yukon, New York, Canadian East Coast, England, Mexico and Alaska.
Doreen is survived by Janice (Bruce) Dynes and daughter Jayne (Sheldon) Flaig (Callie, Ella, Ethan, Ty & Emersyn); Elaine (Jim) McKinley and children Kristin (Tim) Klein (Bethany, Micah, Megan) and Phil (Samantha) McKinley (Dylan & Riley); Joanne Birbeck and children Stefanie (Jimmy) Olandesca (Jordyn) and Casey Herman; and son-in-law Gary Burr and children Karly (John) Hayes (Lilliana & Iris) and Dani (Adam) O’Reilly (Cohen & Emelia). Doreen is also survived by sister, Joyce (Roy) Johnson, and sisters-in-law Donna Jenkins and Noreen Sailer plus many other relatives in Canada and England.
Doreen was predeceased by her husband Fred on July 25, 1994, her daughter Shelley Burr on November 15, 2014 and son-in-law Mike Birbeck on January 1, 2022. Doreen was also predeceased by her parents, Haskell and Lillian Jenkins, her sister Kay Thorson and brothers Ken and Donald Jenkins; her mother-in-law Agnes Sailer, her sisters-in-law Willis Jenkins and Elizabeth King, her brothers-in-law Gerald King, Art Sailer and Jim Thorson, and nephew Kelly King.
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Jane Grubel:
Oct 02, 2022 at 04:20 PM
Condolences to the family - Doreen was a lovely lady. I got to know her at Grace Lutheran Church. She always had concern and a smile for others.
Margaret Herter:
Oct 04, 2022 at 01:37 PM
My condolences go out to the whole family. I have known Doreen for many years and always enjoyed meeting her, be it at church or otherwise. Elaine used to babysit for Elroy and I and we have known Jan over the years as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Margaret Herter
Dave and Toni-Ann (Sox) Petersen:
Oct 06, 2022 at 09:53 AM
To all the Sailer Family; We are so very sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Your mom and dad were very good friends and neighbors with our parents. Many caring thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. Our deepest sympathy. Dave and Toni-Ann (Sox) Petersen and All The Sox family.
Kathee Dieterle Burbidge:
Oct 06, 2022 at 10:03 AM
So sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mother. Neil and I have fond memories of the Grace Lutheran families and all the effort our mothers put into making the groups we attended successful.
Frieda Boukall:
Oct 06, 2022 at 12:59 PM
My sincere condolences to the Sailer family. I’ll always remember Doreen for her beautiful smile. That smile represented Doreen’s indomitable spirit. She encountered life’s challenges with grace, courage and resiliency.
A life well led.
Erika & Stan Bertsch:
Oct 06, 2022 at 05:50 PM
Dear Jan and Bruce, having only just recently met your mom, we were shocked to hear of her passing. There are no words that begin to capture the magnitude of your loss. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family.
Cathy Smith:
Oct 06, 2022 at 09:29 PM
Dear Jan,
I am so sorry to read of the death of your dear mother. I remember her fondly and many times
going over framing ideas with her. May she rest in peace.
May the Lord watch over you Jan and family members and give you comfort in your sadness.
Jocelyne Liboiron:
Oct 07, 2022 at 02:07 PM
Dear Jan;
Please accept our sincere condolences on the lost of your mother. No words can carry the weight of the sorrow you must feel. To you and your family, we offer our sympathies. Thinking of you in these difficult times.
Lila Barnes:
Oct 09, 2022 at 05:34 PM
Jan your mom was a great lady. I truly enjoyed working with her at the Post and getting to know her. She had lots of friends there and we had many good times. Her contribution was appreciated.
Linda Gordon:
Oct 11, 2022 at 06:35 PM
Dear Jan , Bruce , Jayne and all the little grandchildren.
I just read about Doreen’s passing now . Hard to believe she and my dad died one day apart. I have such fond memories of her smiling face and friendly, welcoming disposition every time I visited her at Dynes Gallery - a delight. Please accept my sympathies- it’s been a rough week for both our families, but thanks to having our parents for 90 years, we have many fond memories and tales to tell. Love, Linda
Patricia Dieterle Byron:
Nov 15, 2022 at 04:37 AM
We were sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. David and I had the pleasure of often visiting with your mother and grandmother while David and I recovered from an accident in 1975. Our families shared several deep bonds. We grew up on 9th street, attend the same schools and gathered at Grace Lutheran Church.
Thinking of your entire family at this time.