SCHALM – Pauline Elizabeth Kindrachuk was born November 13, 1939 in Wakaw, Saskatchewan. She lived in different rural locations where her dad taught school. Her love of learning started there, where she would attend school as a three year old, just like her older brothers. As a teenager, she moved to Saskatoon and roomed with her brother George, who liked to bug her by loudlycalling her “wife” on the bus.
In 1957, she went to Teacher’s College in Saskatoon. It was there that her “laughing brown eyes” caught the attention of Oswald Schalm. When Ozzie saw her at church, he boldly offered her a ride home. Never wanting to be a bother, or a forward girl, she replied that she and her mom would catch the bus. Her mom quickly intervened and agreed to the ride. This marked the beginning of a friendship that would eventually blossom into love.
At the ripe age of 17, she was teaching in a one-room school in Iffley, Saskatchewan where some of the students were a mere one year younger than her. This adventure continued the next year at Hodgeville school. Ozzie would regularly pick up her brother Danny in his grey ‘58 Volkswagen Beetle and make the drive through storms, fences and fields to visit her.
Liz and Oz were married in Saskatoon, July 1,1961, and she joined him in Brooks, Alberta. She taught in the Brooks School District until motherhood interrupted her teaching career. Over the next 13 years, five children were born and her organization skills became even more legendary.
Although she taught primary and elementary grades, she always felt she would be a home economics teacher someday. She gave private sewing lessons to others and made many matching church outfits for her family. Providing a neat home and great meals for her family was serious business. This love of cooking and entertaining people meant many Christmases were spent hosting her brother Dan’s family, the Mediwake family and many other church families. She could quickly whip up spectacular meals when Oz spontaneously invited people over after church. Her warm welcome made all who met her feel special. She was genuinely interested in getting to know people at a deep level.
Family was very important to Liz. She loved spending time attending music recitals and sporting events that spanned the prairies. When her grandkids came along, she spoiled them with trips to the pool, making monkey buns, and getting ice cream at Dairy Queen. Her playful, competitive nature came out when playing games.
Travelling was something Liz enjoyed… but only once she reached the destination. Camping trips with the Brandts, Dycks, Prestons, Mediwakes and Budds were always an adventure, even when it snowed. In retirement, Liz and Oz widened their travels to include the globe. She and Oz attended the Olympics several times to watch their daughter compete. They found a balance between visiting family in Europe and wild animals during African photo safaris. Those were special memories for her.
Liz’s personal relationship with her Saviour began as a young girl. Her love of Christ was very evident in her everyday life. She was involved in many church groups within Immanuel Assembly and then Brooks Evangelical Free Church. During her illness, she was awarded time to spend in prayer for her family and friends.
Liz is predeceased by her mother, father, two brothers, 1 sister-in-law and one grandson.
She is survived by Oswald, her husband of 63 years; children: Sherry, Sherwin, Michelle (Jeff), Jonene (Jeff), Sherraine (Matteo). Her grandchildren: Katie, Emma, Henry, Ethan, Calem, Owen, Greer, Lily, Macy, Gaia and Allegra.
