The life of Earla Evelyn Young was celebrated by family and friends on June 7, 2014 at the Carlyle United Church and later at the family cottage. Earla died on February 13, 2014 at the age of 92 after a short illness.
Earla was born in southeast Saskatchewan in 1921, the third of five children born to Percy and Louise DeGeer. She grew up during tough times in the small village of Wordsworth, but with the sun on her face and the wind in her hair, and she learned to love flowers and birds and people - and all things beautiful. Somewhere along the line, she learned to love poetry.
Earla also loved learning and excelled in school. She attended high school in Weyburn Collegiate and Carlyle High School. She had the dream of becoming a teacher and had been accepted at teachers' college when war broke out in 1939 and everyone's plans changed. Instead of becoming a teacher, Earla married Willy - later known as Bill - Young and enriched his life (as he did hers) for 73 years.
Throughout the years, Earla worked, worried and celebrated alongside Bill, together running their farming operation and raising their two daughters. Earla also, on occasion, worked outside the home, first as Post Mistress (and guardian of the only phone) at Carlyle Lake Resort and later at Ramsey's Drug Store in Carlyle.
Earla did much to enrich the community of Carlyle through her contributions to many civic-minded organizations, including the North Carlyle Homemakers, the United Church Ladies Aid, United Church Women, the Red Cross and the Rebekahs. She took leadership roles in each of these organizations; was one of the first two women to serve as an elder at the Carlyle United Church session; she was one of the founding members, and first president, of the Moose Mountain Lodge Auxiliary.
When not working, volunteering or caring for her family, Earla filled her time with gardening, arts and crafts, travelling and sports. She was an accomplished tailor, quilt maker, curler and golfer. At age 77, she was awarded a gold medal for golf at the Canadian Senior Games and last summer, at age 92, still enjoyed golf.
In their early 60's, Earla and Bill explored a number of southern destinations in the winter until discovering Lake Havasu, Arizona, a lovely desert town that became their winter home for many years - and where they made many great friends and memories.
Earla was always devoted to her family and her constant caring and unconditional love resulted in strong family ties and remarkable relationships with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her graciousness and generosity were felt by friends and community as well.
Although life seldom is perfect, we believe that Earla would have said that hers had been fulfilling and wonderful. Until the intrusion of the short illness that took her life she was active and of sound mind and always she was loved.
Earla was predeceased by her husband of 73 years, William Young (2013); her brother Lorne DeGeer (2013); sisters Florence Young and Blanche Ponich; parents Louise and Percy DeGeer; and infant brother.
She is survived and deeply missed by daughters, Wilma Lothian and Dr. Elaine Porter; sons-in-law, Raymond Lothian and Harry Porter; grandsons, Brent, Steven and Michael Lothian; granddaughters-in-law, Jacky Lothian, Laurie Day and Colleen Lothian; and great grandchildren, Breanne, Bailey, Austin, Chantal and Coleman.
It is with heartfelt appreciation that we thank our family and friends for the hugs, visits, memorial donations, flowers, cards (with so many wonderful notes of remembrance). Thank you to Dr. Cathy Meyer here in Carlyle and to Dr. Gauley in Weyburn and the staff at Regina General Hospital for the truly caring and compassionate memorial service, to Wendy and the choir for sharing their musical talents with us and to the UCW for providing the lunch after worship.
