Martha (Strahl) Schroeder

She remembered some of the difficult days on the Prairies during the Great Depression, such as dust storms, severe winters, drought, but also some good times in a caring family. In 1940 her family moved to Ontario where she attended school and worked along with her family. The family moved briefly back to Saskatchewan in 1945 where Martha worked as a nursing assistant in Wilkin Hospital, Warman. It was then that she gave her life to Jesus and was baptized in the Saskatchewan River by a minister of the Mennonite Brethren Church. After moving back to Ontario, she took a practical nurse’s course at Ryerson Technical Institute in Toronto. She then worked for two years at Mountain T.B. Sanatorium in Hamilton. Martha moved to BC in 1951 and nursed at Miller Bay T.B. Hospital in Prince Rupert. This is where she met (Omer) Bill Strahl. After a six-month courtship they were married in January 1952 at Dunville, Ontario.

There followed many busy years raising their children, Gary, Stan, Chuck and Carole. Family life included many moves due to Bill’s employment including Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Langley, Surrey, Prince George and such interesting places as Stewart, Spuzzum, Popkum and finally Ryder Lake. Wherever they went, they always found a place to take the family to church, which was so important to Martha.

As her children grew up and left home, it was her great joy in having them all come home regularly for a meal and a visit. The children married and the new in-laws were welcomed into the family. Eventually Martha was blessed with 11 precious grandchildren.

In 1983 her husband Bill was diagnosed with cancer and life changed forever when he died in August of that year, at the age of 57.

Martha moved from Ryder Lake to Chilliwack and became involved in volunteer work. At the Chilliwack Alliance Church she did visitations for the Cradle Roll for many years as well as participating in the ‘55 Plus’ and funeral ministries. For nine years she worked as a volunteer at the Chilliwack Hospice.

In 1995 a new interest entered Martha’s life when Fred Schroeder, a widower, came calling. They married in March 1996 and had some good times travelling and enjoying life together. Sadly, Fred died in an accident in October 1998.

Martha was an avid reader, a prolific seamstress (especially of pyjamas), a ruthless Scrabble player, and she was famous for her home baking. She valued her many close friends and had a positive impact on the lives of many.

Martha was so proud of her family and looked forward to birthday celebrations and the annual Christmas gathering. Her constant prayer was that all her family would accept Jesus and so meet her in Heaven one day.

Martha was predeceased by her husbands Bill Strahl and Fred Schroeder, her son Chuck and her son-in-law Bob Massie. She is survived by her brother Ed; her sons Gary (Jeannie) and Stan (Colleen); daughter Carole; and daughter-in-law Deb; as well as 11 grandchildren, their spouses and 34 great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Dr. Gord Enns for all that he did to help Martha in her final years.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday January 17, 2025 at 1:30 pm,

at the Chilliwack Alliance Church, 8700 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC.