Florence Mildred Mirau (nee Rainey) was born on November 7, 1912, to Joseph & Elizabeth Rainy, at Gull Lake, SK. She was educated at Mount Royal Country School and at the Gull Lake High School. She then attended Normal School in Moose Jaw, SK, to prepare for what turned out to be her 25 year teaching career. She taught in many places all over southwest Saskatchewan: Blessum, Fosterton, Bigford, Turkey Track, Mosquito Creek, Iris, Courcelette, McMahon, Blumenhof, Cadillac, Aneroid, Beverly and Neville. In 1938, Florence married Alfred Maxmillion Mirau, who farmed south of McMahon for 15 years. While there, they were blessed with 2 children, Max (1939) and Rita (1942). In 1953, they moved to Gull Lake to help Florence’s Dad on the homestead farm, and moved 2 years later to Beverly. In 1960, Alfred purchased the “Ponderosa Fruit Farm” east of Neville, and eventually Florence ended her teaching career at the Neville School in 1979. In 1980, they bought a house in Swift Current and Alfred passed away in 1983. Florence enjoyed many more years in their house until she sold it in 2006, to move to Heritage Towers. Health concerns necessitated her move to the Herbert Care Facility for 3 months and finally to the Gull Lake Special Care Home in 2007, where she wanted to spend her last years. At the age of 97, after a long and fulfilling life, Florence peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, January 29, 2010. Florence is survived by her son, Max (Barbara) Mirau, (Swift Current, SK), grandchildren, Darren (Saskatoon, SK), Dean (Vancouver, BC), Dan (Edmonton, AB) and Emilee (Swift Current, SK); her daughter, Rita (Ernie) Corey (Swift Current, SK), grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Debra, son, Kyle, (Swift Current, SK): Twila (Rob) Casselman, children, Brandon and Lacey (Swift Current, SK): Kim Covey (Swift Current, SK): Tyler and Shane (Saskatoon, SK): Tania (Steve) Zacharias, children, Janelle and Travis (Swift Current, SK); her sisters-in-law, Ardella Rainey (Lethbridge, AB), Ida Rainey (Vancouver, BC), Hilda Mirau (Gull Lake, SK); and numerous nieces and nephews. She especially appreciated her many visits, cards and phone calls from her niece, Deanna & Billy Mortenson and long-time friends, Dorothy & Marvin Allan. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph & Elizabeth Rainey; her parents-in-law, August & Antoinette Mirau; her husband, Alfred; her brothers, Dean, Ivan, Ed, Jim; a sister, Madeline Pollock; her sisters-in-law, Marie Mirau, Katy Mirau, Elsie Smith, Margaret Rolft; her brothers-in-law, Paul, John, Arnold and Leo Mirau and Bill Pollock. A very special note of interest to mention is that Florence was born the same year that the Swift Current Funeral Home, formerly a private residence, was built in 1912. Florence will be remembered for the many students’ lives she touched over the years. She also spent many hours crafting, knitting, crocheting, doing puzzles and she enjoyed having company. She especially loved driving to church on Sundays, listening to “Brother John’s” gospel music and all of her other favorite Christian radio programs.

The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 from the Swift Current Funeral Chapel, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Rob Cochrane officiating. The pianist for the service was Barb Mirau with a musical selection brought by Emilee Mirau and Darren Mirau singing, “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. Scripture was read from Psalm 23. The tribute was shared by Marvin Allan with Billy Mortenson reading the obituary. “Take My Hand Precious Lord”, “Beyond the Sunset” and “I’ll Fly Away” were sung by the congregation. The ushers were Steve Zacharias and Rob Casselman. The Honorary pallbearers were Debra Corey, Twila Casselman, Kim Covey, Tania Zacharias, Lacey Casselman and Janelle Zacharias. The Interment preceded the Funeral Service and was held at the Gull Lake Cemetery, Gull Lake, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Kyle Corey, Brandon Casselman, Darren Mirau, Dean Mirau, Dan Mirau, Tyler Covey, Shane Covey and Travis Zacharias. In memory of Florence Mirau, donations made to the Church of the Open Bible Memorial Fund would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.