Maria Leiding was born on October 2, 1917 at her parents homestead in the McMahon district. She took her schooling at a German School. Although mother was not a professional nurse, she performed many nursing duties for her mother, due to her mother’s declining health. This was prior to her marriage in Chortitz, SK on December 1, 1946 to Abe Leiding, a widower who had 5 young children. They lived in Vanderhoof for 2 years where dad owned a small sawmill and they lived in a small log cabin, 2 children were born there. They moved back to Saskatchewan to mother’s original home place, where dad took up farming and where 4 more children were born into the family. Mom kept very busy on the farm cooking, gardening and performing many household duties. They moved to Swift Current in 1985. Shortly after dad’s passing, mom moved to the Golden West Manor and later to the Herbert Heritage Manor. Due to declining health in her last year, she moved to the Herbert Nursing Home where she resided until her passing. She peacefully went to be with her Lord on Friday, January 23, 2009, with family at her bedside. We have many fond memories and will miss her, but she spoke often of her desire to meet her loved ones who have gone before.
Maria is survived by her children, Tina Friesen, Jake (Mary) Leiding, Susie (Bill) Janzen, John (Lorna) Leiding, Abe (Mary) Leiding, Helena Leiding, Margaret (Laird) Murray, Mary (John) Unrau, Linda Leiding, Eva Leiding, Esther (Kerry) Nickel; numerous Grandchildren; her sister, Helena Rempel; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Johan & Elizabeth Funk; her husband, Abe Leiding; a son, Henry Leiding; a son-in-law, Cornie Friesen; a daughter-in-law, Mary Leiding; grandchildren, Susan Friesen and David Nickel; her brothers, Isaac Funk, Henry Funk, Abe Funk, John Funk and Cornelius Funk; and by her sisters, Elizabeth Friesen, Margaret Schmidt, Katie Funk and Anna Funk.
The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 1:30 pm from the Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Randall Krahn officiating. The pianist for the service was Faith Krahn. “Amazing Grace”, “I‘d Rather Have Jesus” and “Meine Heimat Iot Don’t In Der Hoh” were sung by the congregation. The ushers in the church were Gord & Cherise Tacholsky, Clayton Becker, and Kerry Nickel. The Interment was held at the Wymark EMC Church Cemetery at Chortitz, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Les Becker, Brandon Becker, Greg Resler, Mike Murray, Nathan Leiding, and Lloyd Janzen. In memory of Maria Leiding, donations made to the Herbert Nursing Home or to Power to Change - Bibles for Bolivia. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK |
