Verlin Christian Kading – Verlin was born in Bassano on October 9, 1931 to Chris and Laura Kading of Cessford. He was predeceased by an infant sister Bernice in 1919, and his adoptive sister, his father Chris in June of 1953 and his mother Laura in September of 1967. Verlin took his schooling in a one room school starting Grade 1 at the Pandora School and his Junior High School including Grade 9 in Cessford. When people complain of walking uphill both ways to school, Verlin really did. Verlin batched in a shack with John and Bert Coultis. He took over the family farm following his father’s passing, partnering with his mother until her passing in 1967. In April of 1954 he married the love his life Alene McLean in Calgary, where they remained married for 64 years until his passing. They enjoyed working the farm together and raising their three children, seeing each marry and proceeded to enjoy their six grandchildren. Verlin so appreciated Lila’s husband Larry Bird and Lowell’s wife Vione as both were a great help over the years. Having no siblings Verlin built a great relationship with Alene’s 4 sisters and their husbands. Not one to travel far from home he, Alene, Earl and Lila took his mother “home” to Wisconsin for a visit with the Kading relatives. Verlin enjoyed working for and within the Cessford community and was an active member of the Berry Creek Community Club for many years, where he was active in building the new community hall and helping with the Cessford/Duchess sports days at Emerson Bridge. He curled at Pollockville in the early years with Fred Seefeldt, and Frank & Don Nester, battling lots of opponents and at times snow drifts. Verlin was musically inclined playing the guitar and the harmonica. Verlin had a heart attack in 1980 and then would rather stay home and work then to travel very far. He enjoyed his family, farming, seeding, combining, haying, his horses, dogs and his chickens. In 2009 Verlin and Alene were awarded and celebrated the 100 year farm family award in the special areas #2; awarded to the descendants of the pioneers who remain on the original home quarter that was settled. Verlin remained on the family farm until 2013 when in March he was dealt a massive stroke and in July of that year entered Hanna Long Term Care, where he remained until his passing June 14, 2018 at the age of 86. Verlin is survived by his wife and best friend Alene, son Earl, daughter Lila (Larry) Bird and son Lowell (Vione), his six grandchildren Monique (Jason) Conners, Krista Kading, Erika (Robin) Lacelle, Logan (Whitney) Bird, Charmayne (Treveor) Toole and Stacey (Logan) Girletz, his seven great grandchildren Ember, Lillie and Clara Conners; Lexi Bird; Addison, Lydia and Gauge Lacelle, and numerous extended family members. A great person, he will be remembered and missed by his family and all who knew him.The Memorial service will be held at Thom’s Funeral Home in Duchess, Alberta, Saturday June 23, 2018 at 2:00 pm with lunch to follow. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hanna Long Term Care Centre by mail to: 904 Centre Street N, Hanna, Alberta T0J 1P0 or the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation online at http://www.heartandstroke.ca. For further information, to leave a message of condolence or to light a candle in memory of Verlin, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
