Obituary of Josephine "Sophie" Cecilia Materi

MATERI - Josephine (Sophie) Cecilia Materi (nee Ruhr) wife of the late Edward Materi, passed away on November 13, 2010 at the age of 92, at St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville, SK. Sophie was born on December 13, 1917 to Christian and Magdalena (Exner) Ruhr at their farm near Grayson. Sophie was one of nine children. Sophie attended Teacher Training in Vibank, SK. Her first teaching position was at Gelowitz School. She also taught at Hauer School, Grayson School and for several years at the Mission School at Marieval. In the late 1960?s, Sophie took another year of university education by night classes at St. Joseph?s College in Yorkton. Sophie did substitute teaching and also taught full time for 18 years. She retired in 1976. Sophie was born to teach. Former students respect and admire her to this day telling us that, "Your Mom was my favourite teacher!" In 1940, Sophie met Ed Materi and married him in 1942 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Grayson. They farmed for 53 years. In 1986, they moved into Grayson and retired from farming in 1995. As well as teaching, Sophie was a farm wife - baking, gardening, cleaning, doing chores and raising three children, Laara, Dennis and Laurie. Sophie enjoyed playing piano, organ and accordion, as well as singing and dancing. She always needed to be busy and especially loved visiting with her family, relatives and neighbours. Her grandchildren say that she made the best wholewheat doughnuts in the world. They also loved eating her homemade perogies, butter rolls, cheesecake, poppy rolls and soup. Sophie moved into a care home in Stockholm, SK in 2005. Seven months later she moved into St. Paul Lutheran Home where she resided until her death. Sophie was predeceased by her husband Ed, her parents Chris & Magdalena Ruhr, granddaughter Blayne Materi, brothers Frank, John and Tony and sisters Johanna, Mary and Eva. She is survived by her children Laara Exsnar (Kelly Exner) of Vancouver, BC; Dennis (Carole) Materi of Creston, BC; Laurie (Jerry) Novak of Melville, SK; and by Sisters Rose Ruhr of the Loretta Abbey of Toronto, ON; and Betty Flegel of Regina, SK. Her grandchildren are Jana (Trevor) Hoffman of Calgary, AB; Erin (Ilker) Kurt of Windsor, England; Brendan (Coralee) Materi of Surrey, BC; Blaire Materi of Penticton, BC; Bryanne Materi of Parksville, BC; Brett Novak of Saskatoon, SK; and Bryn Novak of Regina, SK. Sophie is also survived by 4 great grandchildren, Madison Materi, Kaelyn Materi, Evan Materi and Emre Kurt and numerous nieces and nephews. Because of her caring and unconditional love toward her family, she was lovingly referred to as „St. Sophie.? Prayer Service were held on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. from St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Grayson, Saskatchewan with Doug Parislau as the Lay Presider. Members of the St. Mary's Junior Choir led in the singing of the hymns, "I Believe In The Sun" "I Can Only Imagine" and "The Lord Is My Light and Salvation". Laurie Novak and Kelly Exner did the eulogy, The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Yodel Cereno as the Celebrant. Laurie Novak and Jerry Novak did the readings and the intercessions were done by Kelly Exner. Brett Novak and Bryn Novak were the gift bearers and Eucharistic Ministers were Raelene and Tyson Ottenbreit. St. Mary?s Junior Choir led in the singing of the hymns "I Believe In The Sun", "The Lord Is My Shepherd", "God Alone May Lead My Spirit", "There Will Be Bread" and "Go In Peace". Honorary bearers were everyone who knew and loved Sophie. The interment followed in the St. Mary?s Parish Cemetery with Jerry Novak, Brett Novak, Bryn Novak, Kelly Exner, Garry Jakubowski and Jerry Hoedel as the casketbearers. Arrangements were by Bailey?s Funeral Home, Melville. Service Information Saturday, November 20th, 2010 2:00pm, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Interment Details St. Mary's R.C. Parish Cemetery - Grayson