ALBRECHT - Catherine Albrecht ~ April 15, 1932 - August 16, 2010
It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Violet following a long courageous battle with emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.  Violet passed away peacefully at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital with family by her side. 
Violet is survived by her loving husband Edwin; three children, Miles (Elaine); Tracey (Bruce) Lerner; Peggy (Kerry) Purves; five grandchildren, Melissa (Nate) Brooks; Nolan and Kimberly Lerner; Jessica Purves;  Shyanna Albrecht; extended family including three step-grandchildren, Danny and Clint (Lisa) Purves and Odessa (Randy) Schwabe and their children; a great grandson, Ryder (Melissa and Nate) Brooks; a brother, Robert MacPhail, numerous nieces, nephews and several brothers and sisters-in-law. 
Violet was predeceased by a grandson Tyson (Miles and Elaine) Albrecht, parents John and Annie MacPhail; brothers, Arnold, Clint and Archie and sisters, June (Howard) Stern and Gladys (Leo) Anton as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law.  
Violet was the fifth of seven children born to John and Annie MacPhail and grew up on their farm near Fox Valley, Saskatchewan.  She attended the Snowdown country school south of Fox Valley and later attended the convent in Prelate, Saskatchewan.  After high school, Violet taught at Haverhill and Strasfelt schools.    Violet married Edwin Albrecht on January 10, 1953 at St. Patrick's Church in Medicine Hat where they lived until 1959.  They then moved to Edwin's parent's farm near Linacre, Saskatchewan where they farmed until recently.    Violet loved to sew, garden, can, bake, raise baby chicks as well as hand-making hundreds of rosaries for the Holy Family Parish.  She took a lot of pride and joy in the special quilts she made for each family member.   She also helped out with all farm work including summer fallow, picking rocks and hauling wheat.  As busy as she was, she would drop everything to help her children whenever needed.  She loved to visit and holiday with them often.   She also loved the company of her family and friends and enjoyed playing cards and other favorite family games.  She especially loved to have her grandchildren visit the farm every summer.  She was a pillar of strength for the family and will be sadly missed. 
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff at the Medicine Hat Hospital and The Valleyview for all their care and attention.  In addition, a special thanks to Deacon Bill for his special caring friendship to Violet and the rest of the family. 
Family and friends gathered for prayers on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Pattison Chapel. The funeral mass was celebrated in Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road SE) on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Roque Pereira celebrant and Deacon Bill Schnitzler.  Interment followed in the Hillside Cemetery. 
As an expression of sympathy, donations in memory of Violet may be made to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4700, Station South, Edmonton, AB T6E 9Z9.  To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet. net subject heading: Violet Albrecht, or you may visit www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca  and leave a message of condolence. 
Arrangements are by the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium, 540 South Railway St. SE,  Medicine Hat T1A 2V6.  Please call 1-866-526-2214 for further information.