Obituary of Annette Zeeben

ZEEBEN - Mrs. Annette Zeeben beloved wife of John Zeeben of Yorkton. It is with great sadness that we, the family of Annette Zeeben, announce her passing on Dec. 22, 2015 at the age of 79 years. Annette was born in Canora, Sk. on Mar. 14, 1936. First child to Bill and Mary (nee: Dergousoff) Strelioff. Growing up on the family farm near Canora, she was surrounded by loving parents, grandparents and extended family. She went to Strathcona School and excelled in her studies. Her grandparents moved into Canora so Annette and her cousin could live in town and attend high school. After high school, she was greatly encouraged and supported by her parents to attend university. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1956. She became a Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist in 1957. She began her career as a laboratory technologist in Calgary where she met her husband, John Zeeben, also from the Canora area. She joined him in Los Angeles, California and they were married there on Jan. 24, 1959. In California, Annette attained her medical laboratory technologist certification that enabled her to work there. During their 5 years in California they were blessed with 2 children, Mary Beth and Greg. Wanting to come back to Canada, they moved to Calgary where they were blessed with their third child, Gary. Then, wanting to move closer to family and their farm in the Canora area, they moved to Yorkton where she began working full-time at the Yorkton Union Hospital. Annette soon became Technical Director of the Laboratory and held that position for 27 years. She served on many committees in the hospital as well as at the provincial level. She planned and designed the Yorkton hospital laboratory and was also the Regional Laboratory Consultant for the Yorkton area hospitals. Her compassion, attention to detail, organizational skills and common sense approach to any problem or challenge earned her great respect from everyone she worked with. Annette was very community minded and had many interests including politics, the environment, heritage and sports. She took leadership roles in many community organizations including Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) both locally and provincially, Shelwin House and the Yorkton Major Cardinals Baseball Club as a founding member. Of most importance to her was her family. She was always there to support, give guidance and advice, and help whenever and wherever she was needed, even with declining health. She was always very involved in her children's and grandchildren's lives and activities, was very proud of them and took great joy in seeing everyone healthy and happy. That everyone was doing well was all that mattered to her. Annette always went above and beyond to do anything she could to make everyone's lives around her better. A visitation for family and friends was held on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. A family gathering was held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 with Crystal Bailey, B.Th Certified Celebrant officiating. Tributes and words of remembrance were given by Mary Beth and Emily Kohlert. Pianist, Amanda Buhler led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, Amazing Grace and Nearer My God to Thee. Interment followed in the Canora Town Cemetery with Greg Zeeben, Gary Zeeben, Parker Zeeben, Bill Strelioff, Ken Kohlert and Jason Strelioff serving as casketbearers. Memorials honouring Annette's life may made to the Parkinson's Society of Saskatchewan as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to: Visitation Details Tuesday, December 29th, 2015 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Canora Town Cemetery