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Pauline Derr
December 6, 2013
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<div itemprop="description">It is with great sadness the family of Pauline (Polly) Derr announces her passing on December 6, 2013 at the age of 96 years. Polly was born in the Bergheim District, just a few short miles NE of Saskatoon and resided in the area for most of her life. She was the fifth child, of 16, born to Michael and Lydia Schindel. She attended Bergheim School, a one room schoolhouse in the area until grade eight. With a houseful of brothers and sisters there was always someone to look after as well as farm chores. It was the age of school dances, picnics and visiting your neighbors. Transportation was by horse and buggy. They made do with what they had, which at times was very little. Polly met Victor at one of the school dances and they were married on May 2, 1936. It was in the midst of the depression and times were tough, however, in time they saved enough to purchase their own farm, which eventually grew to three quarters of land, and it was there they raised four children. They were able to reside on the farm until 2003, well into their late 80&rsquo;s/early 90&rsquo;s. Polly&rsquo;s family was the most important thing to her. Many of us remember our times spent on the farm and the grandchildren have many fond memories of their vacations spent there in their early years. Polly particularly loved her garden and when she wasn&rsquo;t in the kitchen cooking up a meal for someone, or out in the field helping Vic, that is where you could find her. Everyone left the farm with a care package in hand. In 2003 Polly and Victor moved into Saskatoon and resided at Caleb Manor, a senior assisted living complex. After Vic passed away in 2004 Polly remained at Caleb Manor until August of 2011 when she moved into a personal care home. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Caleb Manor (now the Bentley) for the care provided to Polly and Victor in their later years. And a special thank you to the staff at Northern Lights Care Home for their care and compassion given to mom during the past two and half years. Polly is survived by her children: Shirley (Irving) Opdahl and Joyce (Conrad) Opdahl, both of Hanley, Ken Derr and Valva Derr of Saskatoon. She is also survived by grandchildren Donna (Dave) Hassell, Jeff Opdahl, Kim (Phil) Johnson, Doug (Colleen) Opdahl, Trent Opdahl, Sherry (Terry) Ratz, Jason Derr and Tammy (Jeff) Smith as well as many great and great-great grandchildren. She is survived by her two siblings Herman, and Benny (Katy), sisters-in-law Gladys, Helen, Lily, Elvira and Alvina Payne. Polly was predeceased by her husband Victor (2004); parents Michael and Lydia Schindel; infant brother John; siblings Elsa (Gustave) Kelbaum, Martha (Gustave) Pede, Rudolph (Mabel) Schindel, Fred, Bill, Gus, Archie, Albert (Gladys), Adolph (Lee), Edward, Alma, and Norman (Judy); and sister-in-law Annie. Memorial donations may be made to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (1705 McKercher Drive Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N6) or to the Lutheran Care Society (P.O. Box 23019 Saskatoon, SK S7J 5H3). A Celebration of Polly&rsquo;s Life will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home (east on 8th St., first right past Briargate Rd). Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Charmaine Menard.</div>