Obituary of Ethel Selma Irene Propp

Mrs. Ethel Propp of Yorkton, beloved widow of John Propp passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at the age of 94 years. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 30, at 2:00p.m. at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with the interment to follow in the Garden of Devotion at Yorkton Memorial Gardens. Memorials in memory of Ethel Propp may be made to Grace Prebyterian Church as gifts of remembrance. Ethel Selma Irene Propp (nee Graves) was born on March 26, 1924 in Loomis (Echo), Saskatchewan, a small community south of Eastend in Frontier Rural Municipality. She was the third child born to Milton and Helen (nee Wilde) Graves. At a young age Ethel moved with her family to Lang, Saskatchewan. Ethel attended school there, excelling in her studies. After her graduation from Grade 12, the Graves family moved to Regina. Ethel furthered her education at Balfour Technical School by taking a Business course and showing a proficiency in typing and shorthand. After completing the course, she found employment as a stenographer at Hudson Paper in Regina. Ethel was always active in her churches in Lang and Regina. She often attended Echo Lake Church Camp in the summers where she shared her love of music with her beautiful voice. She sang many solos and participated in ensemble groups. During the 1940's, she even sang on CKCK Radio in Regina on a program called The Sunday School of the Air. It was during her time at Hudson Paper that she became acquainted with the Propp family from Yorkton whose business purchased paper products there. John had just returned home after serving in the Second World War when he met his beautiful Ethel on November 11th, 1946 in Regina. It was love at first sight. There was a whirlwind courtship and an engagement on Christmas Eve of 1946 followed by their wedding in Regina on May 14, 1947. John and Ethel then settled into their new life in Yorkton. Their marriage was blessed with six children: Richard in 1948, Randall in 1951, Debra in 1954, Judith in 1960, Alan James (Jim) in 1961 and Timothy in 1967. Ethel was a busy wife and mother who was a wonderful cook, baker, seamstress, knitter and gardener. She was a dedicated church member who taught Sunday School, presided over Ladies' Aid and shared her beautiful voice in Sunday services. In 1970, John took over the running of Propp's Foodateria and Ethel went back to work with him. They ran their business together until retiring in 1990. Retirement years were spent spoiling grandchildren, socializing on coffee row and travelling. Ethel continued to enjoy many musical activities in her church and community. Highlights for Ethel were singing in the Christmas and Easter cantatas and in the Yorkton Singing Christmas Tree. Ethel was also a faithful member of the Lion'ls where she helped with planning and running the Annual Kiddies Day Parade. She was truly a wonderful mother who loved each of her children with all of her heart. Ethel always put her children first in her life and always wanted the best for each of them. As grandchildren and later great-grandchildren arrived that same amazing love was there for them. She faithfully prayed for her family each and every day. The loss of her beloved John in 2015 was devastating for Ethel and she found it very difficult to live without him. She eventually moved into the Yorkton Crossing in March 2016 to receive the extra care she needed. Declining health and dementia took so much of Ethel from us. After many months of calling to her Jesus, He came to take her home on Sunday morning June 10th, 2018. Ethel peacefully left her home on earth and passed into the arms of her beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Ethel leaves to celebrate her life, children: Rick (Barbara) of Calgary, Randy of Yorkton, Deb (Bob) Thompson of Yorkton, Judy Phillips of Victoria, Jim (Susan) of Saskatoon and Tim (Cher) of Calgary. Her grandchildren: Jeff (Dana), Jenna (Sam), Jillian (Matt), Christiaan, Shannon (Kelly), Crystal (Jody), James (Caitlin), Amanda (Ryan), Daniel (Angela), Bethany, Kaetlyn, Dirk (Keli) and Madison. Great grandchildren: Benjamin, Aria, Nathan, Isaac, William, Taye, Olivia, Carter, Mekhi, Hayden, Reed, Abby, Jonathan, Garnett, Ciara and Nixon. Her sister Ferne, sisters-in-law, Hilda, Ella and Joanne as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ethel was predeceased by her beloved John, her parents Milton and Helen as well her brothers Wes and Elwood. Service Information Saturday, June 30th, 2018 2:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens