Lola "Millie" Barker

Millie Barker, age 98, left her suite at The Bentley for her eternal home on Sunday, November 16th, 2025.

Lola Millicent (Millie) Barker was born on March 25, 1927, on the family farm southwest of Mankota, SK,  the 3rd of 12 children born to Roy & Elizabeth White. Being part of a large family, she grew up learning to help with household chores, caring for family members, doing all sorts of farm chores, being resourceful and making the best of everything. A good work ethic resulted in her being able to excel in many things. Millie’s education was acquired at Jura School, Mankota and Ogema High Schools, Teacher’s College in Moose Jaw, and at Regina and Saskatoon Universities. She grew up attending the United Church and accepted the Lord as her Savior as a teenager at a Sunday School Mission Summer Camp.  Church attendance and involvement became a way of life for her as long as she was able. Millie and Jack Barker were married in 1946 and lived on his ranch 20 miles southwest of Mankota.  Together, they spent many years raising and improving their herd of Herford cattle. Millie & Jack welcomed children, Allan, Judy, and Betty to the family. They grew up enjoying ranch life, being active in 4-H Beef Clubs, and school sports. During this time, Millie attended Teacher’s College and began her teaching career, first in local rural schools, then in town at McCord and Mankota High Schools, a vocation she dearly loved. Millie was gifted with many talents, but sewing was her favorite which she excelled at.  Beautiful dresses for the girls, western shirts and jeans, graduation and wedding gowns, square dance outfits, as well as most of her own clothing, all results from her talented fingers and mind. Later, quilting became her joy.  Other hobbies were knitting, crocheting, reading, gardening, canning, and baking, as well as listening to gospel and old-time music. She loved hosting large family gatherings, helping at Church Summer Camps, especially a Riding Camp she organized for several years. Birthdays and holidays were always special family days. All too soon the family grew up, married and had families of their own. Grandchildren then became the center of attention and Millie so loved to have them come and spend time together. During these years, Millie & Jack enjoyed Square Dancing. In 1974 they travelled with a Square Dance Tour to the International Square Dance Jamboree in Christchurch, New Zealand. They also enjoyed many trips with their 5th wheel trailer. A highlight of Millie’s travels was a trip to Israel in 1998. Millie & Jack moved to Swift Current in 1989 where life changed drastically for them. Millie became a volunteer driver for Home Care, joined the Church of the Open Bible, enjoyed making quilts for all the family, and led the church quilters for years making quilts for all the missionaries and their families. Millie became a faithful caregiver to Jack who after a severe stroke ended up in the Palliser Long Term Care Centre where he spent 11 ½ years. In 2007 Millie also became the caregiver for Jack’s only sister who was also in various care homes for 11 ½ years. In the meantime, Millie moved into a condo where she enjoyed her many friendly neighbors for many years. With age creeping up, Millie moved to the Bently Retirement Home in 2020 where she continued to drive her car till the age of 95. She continued to read, knit, enjoy her iPad and attend church as long as she was able. Millie was predeceased by her husband, Jack Barker; two daughters, Judy Schiml and Betty Baragar; a daughter-in-law, Isabelle Barker; a son-in-law, Herman Schiml; a grandson, David Schiml; her parents, Roy & Elizabeth White; her in-laws, Amos & Elizabeth Barker; her brothers, Jim White and Gilbert White; her sisters, Elenor McClinton and Helen Henderson; seven sisters-in-law; five brothers-in-law; and by three nieces and two nephews. Family left to cherish Millie’s memory includes her son, Allan (Debbie) Barker; son-in-law, Dennis Baragar; grandchildren, Krista (Rick) Gauthier, Pam Gilchrist, Jack (Jenna) Barker, Dawn Barker, Karen (Daryl) Chubb, Kelly (Wendy) Schiml, (Tammy) Schiml, Glen (Lorrie) Schiml, Karmen (Lyndon) Kyle, and Dean Baragar; 14 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, June Murray, Doreen (Grant) MacDonald, and Priscilla (Bill) Rempel; her brothers, Paul White, Syd (Marlene) White, Richard (Eva) White, and Earl (Freida) White; sisters-in-law, Marion White and Jean Barker; the Rivers families; and many nieces and nephews.The family thanks Swift Current Funeral Home, Carol Thurston, the staff at The Bentley, Home Care, and Palliative Care for their compassionate and professional service.

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