About Us

Marion was a business woman and a hard worker. From the early forties onwards food was plentiful and and became a big part of her life. Of course Ray was ----- until I came along (jack).

Marion was up at 5 or 6 every morning on the farm assisting Alnselme with chores such as milking the cows, feeding the animals, cooking breakfast, and getting the kids ready for school. Haying time was particularly hard work- she worked for 2 weeks helping. Anselme stack hay for winter food for animals. At threshing time in the Fall 12 to 14 farm helpers would circulate from farm to farm in the vicinity to assist in the harvest of crops. When it came time for our farm to be done all the workers were helping because they knew who was cooking breakfast lunch and dinner for about 10 days. The food was served hot, all at once and was amazing - she was amazing.

Marion assisted at the school home from time to time looking after a dozen school kids. Marion also worked at the Brosseau general store from time to time. In 1957 Marion and Anselme decide to move to Edmonton as Ray was not interested in pursuing the farming life and Jack was too young to decide his

future at the young age of 13. Marion had great confidence in her children as she demonstrated time and time again. One story with Jack and Duck hunting: Jack was 8 years old and asked Mom if he could use Rays shot gun. He told her he had spotted thousands of ducks landing in a slough in the back forty. Much to Jacks surprise they jumped onto the tractor and went to the location. Mom asked Jack to put another jacket on and lean against a tree. Mom behind watching after the first shot she said all good bring home some ducks and she left Jack alone.

In 1957 when it was time to move Marion gave Jack a choice of taking the farm dog or cat to the city of Edmonton they couldn’t take both as heartbreaking as it was the cat came along and the dog remained at the farm (best for the dog) crying all the way to Edmonton was the family cat in hand Marion and Anselme bought a house in Edmonton with the proceeds of the farm.

Marion took on borders in downstairs bedroom for the house for extra money. She worked at Abrehart hospital and Anselme worked at a lumbar yard and then got a job at the same hospital as a janitor. Marion supported her sons in their work developments from working as meat managers (Ray) and welding apprentice (Jack) and onward into every business venture they had. She invested and trusted in her children’s work and would give up what she had in her bank account if her sons needed it. 

They mortgaged their hard earned home to give us a start up money for a business – that is confidence) their work and trusted them to succeed although if she thought some ideas were not so great she would honestly voice those opinions. We were never rich growing up but we always ate good food and had nice

clean clothes and home an 3 freezers stocked to the brim with baked goods, chickens, perogies, cabbage rolls and more! Marion was an amazing cook and was very generous – giving food from her freezer or garden away to visitors.

She did not smoke or drink – only the occasional beer. She was an amazing care giver to her husband Anselme who passed away from cancer in 1980. She was always available for her family - children, grandchildren and friends. She cooked up tons of beans for the little acres BBQ for years. She gave land to Ray to start a farming operation. She had confidence and gambled on her kids.