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Ila E. Steeves (nee Strand

September 7, 2015

SteevesIlaSept7

STEEVES

Ila E. Steeves (nee Strand) of Rimbey, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Monday, September 7, 2015 at the age of 80 years.

Ila was born in Mantario, Saskatchewan in 1935. As a young girl, the family moved to a farm at Harmattan, Alberta. Ila began her schooling there, riding a horse to the school. She finished her high school at the Canadian Nazarene College in Red Deer. After her schooling, Ila worked at the Alberta Treasury Branch in Red Deer where she met Jack Steeves. They were united in marriage in 1956 and began their married life at a farm north of Rimbey, eventually settling in the Hoadley area where together they raised four sons and one daughter. Ila enjoyed keeping busy at many farm activities. She grew a big garden where weeds were not tolerated. She enjoyed quilting and other needlework. She loved spending time surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Ila was a volunteer cook at Wilderness Camp and earned the nickname, "Cooky". Summers were spent camping and trail riding. In later years, the horses were replaced by ATV's. She was thrilled when she got her own. Everyone was always welcome in their home, and Ila would often feed a houseful of people at a moment's notice. Her grandchildren loved to spend time at grandma's house. She was a great daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandma, great grandma…and a wonderful example to all!

Ila will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her beloved husband, Jack; her three sons: Merv (Karen) Steeves of Hoadley; Gene (Lynn) Steeves of Lacombe; and Laverne (Deb) Steeves also of Hoadley; her daughter, Sheila (Reg) McIlwain of Lacombe; and her daughter-in-law, Sue (Dave) Stankevich of Bluffton; as well as numerous cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by two brothers, Bob (Neva) Strand of Keremeos, B.C.; and Elvin (Wilma) Strand of Creston, B.C.; and three sisters: Ruth Munro of Olds; Gladys Eckenswiller of Red Deer; and Clara (Roy) Mitchell also of Olds; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many close friends. Ila was predeceased by her parents, Emma Louise and George Strand; her son, Darrell in 2008; and one brother, Don Strand.

A Public Funeral Service in Celebration of Ila's Life was held at the Hoadley Evangelical Missionary Church, Hoadley on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Budd and Pastor Barry Klassen officiating. A Family Interment Service preceded the funeral in the Hoadley Cemetery, Hoadley at 11:00 a.m. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Ila's Memory may be made directly to the Hoadley Evangelical Missionary Church ~ Building and Expansion Fund, Box 1, Site 7, R.R. 2, Bluffton, Alberta T0C 0M0; or to the charity of one's choice. Condolences to the Steeves Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net

Funeral and Burial Arrangements for the Late Ila Emma Steeves (nee Strand) entrusted to the care of

OBERHAMMER FUNERAL CHAPELS LTD.

1-403-843-4445



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