Therese Schlecker

Therese Schlecker(Xander) was my grandmother. She was born in(1881) Guendelbach, Germany to Christoph Xander and Therese Hervick.She was married to Karl Schlecker and had three sons, who were named Karl, Wilhelm, and Heinrich. Wilhelm was my father.She came to Canada with her husband Karl and three little sons, Karl, Wilhelm and Heinrich in 1913. They went to a homestead in McLeod River at Shining Bank Alberta, which is to this day a remote location.They stayed there for three years and then moved to Style near the town of Entwhistle, Alberta. There she helped Karl with a logging operation by being to camp cook as well as log skidder from time to time.She told me that it was not an easy life.After a number of years she moved with her family to Holborn,Alberta where I eventually became her grandchild. I loved grandma with all my heart. She was always there because she lived in my parents yard. Every day(almost) she made Liptons Chicken Noodle Soup and we would eat and talk. The stories were endless. About her homeland, her family and of course folk tales.She gave great advice which was often very open minded by today's standards. One thing I do know:she loved her family, respected my mother and showed it. All of our socks, mittens and hats were knit by her and she crocheted a tablecloth for each of her granddaughters.She often patched our clothes and our aunts clothes. That was her way of contributing to the family unit.I have been blessed to know her. All my love, Kathleen Bergmann(Schlecker)