Carole Ann Cech of Bluffton, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at the age of 77 years.
Carole Ann Sutherland was born on May 23, 1942 in New Westminster, B.C. to Dave and Ella Sutherland. She was their first born. The young family did not stay long in B.C., moving into a small general store near Unity, Saskatchewan when Carole was very young. Her parents, along with Carole and her four siblings, ran the general store for many years. When she was about ten years old, the family packed up again, this time relocating to Alberta. They bought a farm and became new farmers in Bluffton, where Carole attended school alongside her siblings. She met her best friend, Frank Cech while he was helping on her family's farm, and the two were united in marriage in November, 1960. After they were married, Carole and Frank moved into a home on the Cech family farm, only three miles away from her parent's home. Together they worked on the mixed farm and raised two children, Jerry and Marie, who also pitched in to help. Between farming and raising a family, Carole found time for a few part-time jobs ... some of them a bit unusual! She was known as the 'Bluffton egg lady', often calling herself the 'crazy egg lady'! She sold fresh farm eggs and pickled eggs by the dozens! Shewasalsothe'auctiontrucklady'forAllenOlsonauctions,and she enjoyed meeting many people and sharing farming stories. In her spare time, Carole was a large part of the Bluffton Hall for many years, working in the kitchen with the ladies club, as well as serving as a hall board member. Carole and Frank were big supporters of the Bluffton Hall, helping to organize fall suppers and monthly cabarets! She was also a terrific cook and was renowned for her many home-cooked dishes; and she was a fantastic hostess - a role she absolutely loved! Carole was thrilled whenever she had a house full of family and friends to share food, drink, and music. Many nights after cooking all day, she would join in with her accordion and would play music into the wee hours. Carole worked hard and played hard her whole life. She was not one to say 'no' to helping out her neighbours - whether it was helping with farm work, or building the first straw house! She will be dearly missed at home, and in the community.
Carole will be forever remembered by her loving family: her son, Jerry (Sheila) Cech of Bluffton and their two children: Kara (Justin Van Heuvel), and Cory; and her daughter, Marie Cech of Bluffton and her two children: Tia, and Trent. She will also be lovingly remembered by her siblings: three brothers, Allen (Cheryl) Sutherland also of Bluffton; Jim (MaryAnn) Sutherland of Calgary; and Don (Marie) Sutherland of Princeton, B.C.; as well as one sister, Kathleen (Rick) Smith of Port Alberni, B.C.; in addition to many nieces, nephews, other family members, and several close friends. Carole was predeceased by her parents, Dave and Ella; and her beloved husband, Frank in 2015.
A Public Graveside Service in Celebration of Carole's Life will be held at the West Haven Cemetery, Rimbey on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 1 pm with Pastor Terry Oke presiding. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Rimbey. Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Carole Ann Cech entrusted to the care of Oberhammer Funeral Chapels.
Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd.