Barbara Maffenbeier
June 16, 1907 - April 27, 2010
Mrs. Barbara Maffenbeier (Laturnus) passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Continuing Care Centre on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at the age of 102 years. Barbara was born on June 16, 1907, in the home of her parents, Anton and Caroline Laturnus near Odessa, Russia. She is survived by seven children, Clara (Bud) Mattson, Kate Elliot, Tony (Martha) Maffenbeier, Carolin Plante, Anna (Bill) Muddle, Paul (Susan) Maffenbeier, Mike (Connie) Maffenbeier; twenty-nine grandchildren (twenty-seven spouses), fifty-three great-grandchildren (six spouses) and seventeen great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Kate (Albert) Remyn and Clara Beler; three brothers-in-law, Joe Beler, John (Ethel) Maffenbeier, Wendle (Eilene) Maffenbeier and two sisters-in-law, Sue Maffenbeier and Anna Mary Seitz; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Maffenbeier; grandson, Henry Regnier; two sons-in-law, Ed Plante and Jack Elliot; her parents; four brothers and three sisters. The Laturnus family emigrated to Canada arriving in Quebec City, Quebec on July 12, 1912. A long train ride took the family to Saskatchewan where they settled in Regina for about two years before they moved to Rosefield. Joe and Barbara met at a dance at the Rosefield School in 1929. On January 12, 1931, Joe and Barbara were married in the old Val Marie Catholic Church. They moved to their homestead in the spring of 1934 and lived there until 1950. Joe and Barbara and the family lived on the farm at Rosefield until June 1950, when Joe bought the blacksmith shop in Val Marie. Barbara worked at the Val Marie Hotel from 1964 until she retired in 1972. In October of 1991, Barbara moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta to be closer to so many of her family that had settled in the area. In 2001, Barbara moved into the Manor in Redcliff where she resided until moving to the Good Samaritan - Southridge Village in September of 2009. Up until July of 2009, Barbara was still baking her own buns, cooking and looking after her own suite. If there was some "good" music playing, Barbara would be up dancing to the old time music long after many of her younger family had gone home for the night. Her fun loving nature will be forever missed by her family and friends. Vigil Prayers were recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13th Street S.W., Medicine Hat, on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 238 - 2nd Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat, on Monday, May 3, 2010, at 10:30 A.M. with Reverend Father John L. Maes celebrant. Interment took place at the Val Marie Cemetery, Val Marie, SK, on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. (Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Barbara's name may be made directly to the Good Samaritan Society, 550 Spruce Way S.E., Medicine Hat, AB. T1B 4P1. Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13th Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Toll free 1-877-528-6455.