Obituary of Louis Schalm

Obit - Schalm - Ludwig "Louis" Louis passed away peacefully into the arms of the Great Shepherd on June 18th, 2009 in the Spiritwood Health Complex. Louis was born in Serath, SK on June 8th, 1928, the fifth child of Adolf and Emilie Schalm. Hard times struck, the family emigrated from Poland in 1927. It was already the beginning of the Great Depression. They hung in there until 1935 when they moved north to the Belbutte district. They struggled to make a living to support a growing family of 8 children. Hard work was the recipe for survival and the family made a home life in the Loch Side School District. There Louis spent eight years in school. Later he went to Bible School in Saskatoon. He then worked for various farmers. He got a chance to go to Dawson Creek to make some real money doing construction work. He met his future wife, Eva Fawcett, at a summer camp at Sharon Schools in North Battleford. On May 3rd, 1958, their marriage took place in Edmonton. They made their home on the farm in the Bapaume District, where their five children were born. Sadly, they lost one child, Kenneth, in July of 1964. Louis led a busy live. He was both a Reeve and a Councilor for the RM of Spiritwood and also a Pool member. For many years he was involved in Christian Ministry in Bapaume and elsewhere. Music played a huge role in his life. His father taught the family to play, sing and Louis did both. He chose the violin and became quite accomplished at it. He loved the family get-togethers and jam sessions and often played and sang at the seniors nursing homes and elsewhere. Louis will be lovingly remembered by: His wife Eva of Bapaume; His children: Ralph (Lety) of Watrous, SK & their sons Peter, Eric & Steven; Albert (Janet) of Mayerthorpe, AB & their sons Edward, Lawson & Brandon; Sandra (Bryan) Gillies of Debden & their children Kalen, Emily & Graeme; Lorne (Michelle) of Calgary, AB & their sons Matthew & Jeremy. His brothers & sisters: Erna Joyes of Edmonton, AB; Sal Orange & Bertha Chester of Medstead, SK; Oz (Liz) of Brooks, AB; Hertha (Reese) Potter of Heber Springs, AR, Reno (Nancy) of Orlando, FL; Phil (Shirley) of Toronto, ON. As well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Louis was lovingly laid to rest in the Bapaume Cemetery on June 26th, 2009. The service was held in the Belbutte Full Gospel Church officiated by Albert Hannigan & Mervin Sundbo. Ralph Schalm & Randy Orange gave the eulogy. Elinor Amundson was the pianist and Michelle Schalm, Ken Olson and Esther Bregg were the soloists. The Pallbearers were: Randy Orange, Ken Olson, Eric Baynes, Byron Millar, Kevin Latus and Harold Amundson. Email condolences may be sent to beau.lac@sasktel.net. Beau "Lac" Funeral Home of Spiritwood were entrusted with the funeral arrangements.