Mary Wedhorn

Mary was born on the farm north of Shamrock, Sask on September 24, 1926 to Lena (Buhr) and Walter McNeill. Mary attended the village school and at an early age, about Grade 4, Mary knew she wanted to be a teacher. In 1945 after having completed her Grade Twelve she went to Normal School in Moose Jaw, Sask. for one year and received her Teaching Certificate. Mary taught two years at Lundeen School (1946-47 & 1947-48). This school was 10 miles north of Morse between Herbert & Morse. 

In 1948-49 & 1949-50 she taught at Vickers, a School North & West of Hodgeville. In both Country schools Mary had Grade 1-10, with about one or two students in each grade. Grades 9-10 were taught through correspondence, but students always seemed to need help with Math which Mary contributed as a reason for her love for math and in later years teaching Math to Grade 7,8 & 9. 

On December 30, 1948 Mary married Henry Wedhorn from Herbert, Sask. They lived in a teacherage at Vickers School. While living there, Henry made a fence phone to the neighbors (Senfts) Henry also made a sheet of ice in the school basement, filled jam tins with water, froze them for rocks so they could have fun curling in the country.

In June of 1950 Mary and Henry moved to Morse and Mary took a few years off from teaching when their son Murray was born in 1950. Then, in 1954 Mary started teaching in Morse. At that time, she had Grades 4,5 & 6 (33 pupils) and thought it was heaven to only having to prepare for 3 grades. As county schools closed and towns enrollment increased, Mary taught Grades 5 & 6, then just Grade 6, then Grades 6 & 7 and then just Grade 7. 

Later, when Mary moved to teach in the Morse High School, she taught Math, English and Science to Grade 7 and Math to Grade 8 & 9 and enjoyed the newfound privilege of having spares. Apart from 1960 when her daughter Glenice Marie was born and 1963 when her daughter’s Della Louise and Ella Nancy were born, Mary taught school in Morse for 27 ½ years till she retired in 1983, and would often express how she thoroughly enjoyed her entire teaching career. 

After retirement, Mary continued to do some substitute teaching but dedicated time to fulfill her dream of travelling the world. Mary travelled extensively including trips to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, British Isles, Europe, twice to Germany, Florida, Bahamas, Alaska, Maritimes, coast to coast throughout Canada and the USA. Mary especially enjoyed driving to Texas with her sister Doris/Emrys.

Mary was very always very athletic and played ball from early years in Shamrock to teaching years in Morse where she played and coached and later just coached a girls softball team.  When Mary was in about Grade 5 she received a Provincial Athlete Gold medal as she had won a 1st place red ribbon in all events – even high jump as until that year she could never get 1st in high jump!! 

In her later years, a sports highlight was Mary wining Provincial Bowling in Executive League in 1995 held in Weyburn. Having won the Gold Medal, she was honored by going to Ottawa to bowl and represent Sask as one member from each 11 provinces competed.  Mary ended up in the top half in 5th place. What was truly amazing about this was that on May 24, 1994 Mary was nearly killed in a car accident, where her car was totaled, and the jaws of life had to be used. To win in Weyburn in February of 1995 and go to Ottawa in April 1995 was amazing and an indication of her inner strength and resilience.  

In 2003, Mary bowled in + 75 Group Provincials in North Battleford and won Silver and in 2004 bowled in the Provincials in Humboldt winning Bronze. Another of Mary’s enjoyed hobby’s included crocheting.  In 1994 Mary won the People’s Choice Award for her crochet work – “The Lord’s Prayer” and a Red Ribbon for her table centre piece. Mary would win Red ribbons in Senior Olympics whether it was bean bag toss, Lawn Bowling or Cribbage. Red Ribbons seemed to be a pattern in nearly all things Mary participated in. 

Mary enjoyed playing bridge, bowling, shuffleboard but also found time to sit on several committees and was President of the Senior’s Club, Secretary for the Board of Directors for Bowling Centre, Treasurer for Cemetery Committee and Member of the Recreation Board.

When Mary was a recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (1905- 2005) it came as no surprise. The medal recognized the important role that individuals played in the development of communities within the province and Mary was recognized for all her outstanding contributions.  Everyone that knew her agreed, it was a very well-deserved medal.   

One of the things Mary enjoyed the most and took much pride and joy in was her yard. Her house in Morse was on two lots, and nearly one of those lots was her huge garden. Mary would not only care for her lush garden but would always immaculately groom the trees surrounding the property and cut the huge lawn. Mary’s yard was always kept neat and attractive.   

Mary’s greatest accomplishment in her life was her family. Mary enjoyed her life, was proud of her children and loved them all dearly.   

Mary leaves to remember and cherish her life; her son Murray (Deb) Wedhorn, daughter Glenice (Suresh) Kassett and daughter Della (Shane) Bartzen, Grandchildren, Crystal (Marc) Kelly, Scott (Joanne) Wedhorn, Jonathan Kromm, Allison (Jordan) Wall, Brandon (Kyleigh) Bartzen, Brodie (Ivory) Bartzen, And Great Grandchildren, Matthew Kelly, Eric Kelly, Joel Kelly, Cole Wedhorn, Lexi Wedhorn, Corrissa Kromm, Victoria Wall, Sydney Wall, Oaklyn Bartzen, Braxton Bartzen, her brother Bob (Iris) McNeill, her sister Glady’s Heinrichs, numerous nieces, nephews, and family friends.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Henry Wedhorn; and by her infant daughter, Ella Nancy Wedhorn.

Mary Wedhorn, age 94, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Herbert & District Integrated Healthcare Facility, Herbert, SK.

The Private Family Graveside Service for Mary Wedhorn was held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from the Morse Cemetery, Morse, SK with Mary’s grandsons, Scott Wedhorn, Johnathan Kromm, Brandon Bartzen, and Brodie Bartzen, and Mary’s sons-in-law, Suresh Kassett and Shane Bartzen serving as Pallbearers. The tribute was given by Mary’s daughter, Della Bartzen.

In memory of Mary Wedhorn, donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. 

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