JURGENS:
The death of Mrs. Catherine Theresa (nee Wehage) Jurgens of Pilger occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Monday, August 29, 2011. She was 91 years of age, but still so young-at-heart, and was still living in her own home. Catherine was born on June 13, 1920, to Bernard "Ben" and Margaret (nee Bittman) Wehage in the family's log house southeast of Pilger, near Mantrap Lake. She grew up there and attended Canvassback School near Fulda and completed her formal education at Marysburg School. Eventually, Catherine met Joseph "Joe" Jurgens and they were married on June 15, 1937, in St. Bernard's R.C. Church near Pilger. Following their marriage, Catherine and Joe made their home on the farm, where they would live for the next 41 years. Eight children, two daughters and six sons, were born to them. As well, over the years, they cared for four foster children, Shirley, Denise, Tony and Larry. In 1978, Catherine and Joe moved into Pilger. An out-going and caring lady, Catherine willingly volunteered her help in the Pilger and St. Bernard communities and churches. She was very active with St. Bernard's Ladies Aide and cooked for many weddings over the years, sewed baptismal gowns, made hundreds of quilts - in fact, she was still quilting right up to the present, and was a Humboldt Journal and Wakaw Recorder correspondent and reporter for over 30 years. Her culinary skills were second-to-none and she loved to bake for people both near and far. In addition, Catherine was employed at Bethany Pioneer Village over the years and as a census taker for the Federal Government. In her "spare time", Catherine enjoyed playing bingo and cruising around the surrounding area with her buddy Luella. Catherine also travelled throughout western Canada and internationally, visiting New Zealand, Germany, and throughout the United States, including Alaska. She even attended a "cousins reunion" in Oregon as recently as this past week, and managed to drop in to a few casinos on her trip! Those left to cherish her memory will never forget her good-natured and jovial personality, wonderful sense of humor, ever-present smile, and the immeasurable love she had for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Catherine will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughter, five sons, 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren: Darlene (Gordon) Cash of Humboldt and family, Donna (Peter) Hourihan of Winnipeg, MB, and children Christopher and Michelle, Gary (Tracey) Cash of Calgary, AB, and children Carleigh Jane and A.J., Brian (Kathy) Cash of Regina, SK, and Jane Cash of Calgary, AB; Ronald (Jennifer) Jurgens of Christchurch, NZ, and family, Cathy Sue (Barry) Jarden of Christchurch, NZ, Jason (Jaana) Jurgens of Australia and children Xander and Atellica, and Blair Jurgens of Australia; Larry (Lynda) Jurgens of Calgary, AB, and family, Cheryl (Andrew) Howden of Calgary, AB, and children Kate, Grace and Ryan, and Trevor Jurgens of Vancouver, BC; Arthur (Paulette) Jurgens of Longview, AB, and family, Robin Jurgens of Calgary, AB; Robert (Georgina) Jurgens of Parksville, BC, and family, Isaac (Andrea) Jurgens of Edmonton, AB, and children Caleb and Naomi, and Levi Jurgens of Vancouver, BC; and Allan (Victoria) Jurgens of Prince Albert, SK, and family, Shawna Jurgens of Saskatoon, SK, Scott (Dawn) Jurgens of Ottawa, ON, and daughter Cecily, and Tyler Jurgens (fiancée Jerilyn Malalukan) of Calgary, AB; one sister, Evelyn Pomedli of Humboldt; sister-in-law, Susan Wehage of Surrey, BC; brother-in-law, Jack (Judy) Claridge of Picton, NZ; and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws of the Jurgens family. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph "Joe" Jurgens (November 2, 1996); two children: Mary and Joseph Jurgens (both in infancy); parents, Ben and Margaret (nee Bittman) Wehage; two brothers and one sister: Lawrence (Elsa) Wehage, Leonard Wehage and Doreen Claridge; and by brother-in-law, John Pomedli. The Prayer Service for Catherine was held at Holy Trinity R.C. Church, Pilger, on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., led by Nestor Trach. Scripture readers were Shawna and Tyler Jurgens, and the eulogy was delivered by Allan Jurgens. Music ministry was provided by Darlene Cash and Donna Hourihan. The Funeral Mass was offered at Holy Trinity R.C. Church on Friday, September 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Denis Phaneuf and Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, OSB. Others taking part were: Robin Jurgens, cross bearer; Matthew and Jason Struck, altar servers; Cheryl Howden and Trevor Jurgens, scripture readers; Isaac and Levi Jurgens, and Chris and Michelle Hourihan, intentions; Evelyn Pomedli and Gloria Stanford, gift bearers; Denise Germain and Donna Hourihan, music ministry. An honor guard was provided by members of the Holy Trinity C.W.L. Pallbearers were Allan, Robert, Arthur and Larry Jurgens, and Gordon and Gary Cash. Interment followed at Holy Trinity R.C. Cemetery, Pilger. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Humboldt District Hospital Spiritual Care Fund or the Holy Trinity R.C. Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
