Ila LANG

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LANG: Ila Mae Lang passed away peacefully at the Souris Personal Care Home at the age of 94 on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 with family by her side. Mom was born on May 21, 1925 at the family farm in Elm Creek, to Adine and Charles Clark. She had five siblings Max, Louis, Norma, Evan (Corky) and Al. Mom grew up during the difficult dirty thirties, and after attending “Normal” School in Winnipeg, she taught in small rural schools near Carman and in Fairfax. In 1947 she moved to teach in Souris where she met Andy Lang, a young mechanic from Coulter who was working at his Uncle Andy’s garage Murrays Garage. They were married in 1951, followed by the birth of Clark in 1953, Ruth in 1956 and Frank in 1958. The family have many fond memories of summers and family time at their cabin at Oak Lake, trips to Minneapolis to watch the Twins, watching Clark and Frank’s hockey games with the Wheat Kings, and many holiday and family celebrations with the Lang and Clark families. Mom led a very active life in Souris, where she was a charter member of the local Beta Sigma Phi, the choir director at St. Paul’s United Church for many years, and the first Director of the Souris Day Care. Mom sang in the church choir and in several other singing groups over the years and she was also a prolific painter, a hobby that she took up after we three kids had left home. She was proud to belong to the Souris Art club and her paintings now hang in the homes of many relatives and friends. Mom also started a small business selling makeup, from which she retired at the age of 91! Mom’s business included doing people’s “colours” where she provided advice on the right colours to wear for your particular skin and eye colouring. Mom had some amazing friends that continued to support her and visit her, even up until her last few days. She also had a knack for cultivating friendships, and kept in touch over many years with old friends and with many relatives through the lost art of letter writing. Since her passing, so many people have let us know how much those letters meant to them over the years. Mom and Dad were blessed with six grandchildren who they enjoyed babysitting when they were little and as they grew, they enjoyed spending many hours travelling to their various activities around southwest Manitoba (and beyond!) to watch hockey games, Christmas concerts, sporting events and recitals. In the past 6 years, Mom was also blessed with the birth of 8 great grandchildren which she cherished. In the past year, as Mom’s memory was fading, we posted large pictures of all the family on the bulletin board in her room. One of our favorite pastimes was to look at each picture and review the names and faces of the grandchildren and the great grandchildren. Every time after she would look at the pictures, she would also say “Aren’t we lucky?” Ila is lovingly remembered by her children Clark (Judy), Ruth (Trevor) Mealy and Frank (Karen), as well as her grandchildren Cassidy (Steven) Matchim, Jill (Matt) Jenkins, Jared (Kendra) Lang, Riley (Carly) Lang, Taylor Mealy and Hudson Mealy. She also leaves great grandchildren, Grady and Charlie Matchim, Clark and Hayes Jenkins, Everly and Griffin Lang, and Dierks and Karter Lang. Ila also leaves to mourn her brother Evan (Corky) and his wife Donna Clark, brother Al Clark, her brother-in-law Reg Lang, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Ila was predeceased by her loving husband Andy, her brothers and sisters-in-law Max (Hettie) Clark; Louis (Jean) Clark; her sister and brother-in-law Norma (Art) Reid; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Jean (Lewis) Downey, Dorothy (Leighton) Downey, Margaret (Jerry) Greaves, and sister-in-law Jean Lang. The family is very thankful for the wonderful care that Mom received in the past few years from the staff and doctors at the Souris Personal Care Home. This is truly a wonderful place, where she was so well cared for in a cheerful, clean, inviting environment by amazing staff. The service to celebrate Mom’s life was held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at St. Paul's United Church, Souris, Manitoba. Thank you to Val and Dexter Kowalchuk for your wonderful support and help during this difficult time. Thanks also to Minister Harvey Hurren for officiating. Organist Glenda McConnell, choir director Bill Lawson and the St. Paul’s United Church Choir (and friends) outdid themselves with the beautiful music for Mom’s service. In memory of Mom, if you wish you can donate to a charity of your choice or to the Souris Personal Care Home. Expression of sympathymay be made at www.kowalchuks.net

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 19, 2019