Marie Ellen Hangs was born on the farmstead near Blaine Lake on November 17, 1921 to William and Sophia (nee Petrishen) Odnokon. Marie was the eldest of nine children and assumed household tasks and childcare early. This was the beginning of developing proficient skills in cooking, crocheting, quilting, embroidery and sewing that provided lifelong enjoyment for many. Marie attained Grade 12 in Blaine Lake and worked a few years before meeting the love of her life Henry. They were married on December 20, 1942 and Marie assumed farm life in Melfort.This became her home for the next 67 years before moving into Diefenbaker Place in August, 2009. This was followed by a short stay in the Arborfield Nursing Home in June, 2013 followed by her final move in August 2013 to Parkland Place where she peacefully passed on February 4, 2015.
Marie was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a neighbour, a farmer, a cook, a cake decorator, a volunteer, a journalist, a traveller, a war time personal server/attendant for the MP for Victoria, BC, an avid reader and many other things. Marie farmed alongside her husband Henry until his death and then took over the reign in 1979 and Marie worked tirelessly with her two sons Gordon and Garth. Marie was very community minded and worked with many community organizations. A card carrying CCF/NDP member since 1942 Marie worked hard in the sixties to help bring Medicare to Saskatchewan, plus sat on local and Provincial NDP committees well into her eighties. Marie represented the RM of Kinistino on the Melfort Hospital Board for over 30 years and Hangs Road was named in honour of Marie and her husband Henry.
For years Mom was the correspondent for the Melfort Journal for the Mount Forest District, the Historian for the Melfort Creek Cemetery and worked with the Provincial Genealogy Society in mapping out the gravesite, Marie collected statistics for Census Canada for twenty plus years, worked for Provincial and Federal elections, was an active member of the Mount Forest Ladies Club, the Carrot River Valley Lutheran Ladies, the Melfort Mustangs (was the pie lady and who could say no to her request for PIES), Marie was the donator/presenter of the Henry Hangs Memorial Hockey Trophy for the TM’s then the Melfort Mustangs; was the local cream and egg lady, the garden, meat, jam and jelly provider to family, friends and neighbours; a pottery enthusiast; a shopper (loved her fashion, hats, suits, red and black outfits, and jewellery!); a world traveller (over 25 tours alone).
Part of the legacy for Marie was the support, care, nurturing and the love extended to her siblings upon the death of their Mother, three of whom lived for a time with Marie and her family as children. Marie had one of the largest gardens and best kept lawns riding the mowers till her mid eighties and loving it. To her Grandchildren, visits were berry picking (raspberries for sure), going to the Melfort Fair, riding with her in the VW (the Bug), tractor pull competitions, ice cream, old stories, summer vacations, holiday meals and of course some daily chores.
Rest in peace Mom, your work here is done. Now you have joined your Heavenly Family. Marie is survived by three children, 1. Gordon (Judy) Hangs, their children, Gordon Jr. (Charlene) Hangs, children (Payton and Jordan), Shelley Hangs, daughter Niza, Shannon (Cory) Abbott 2. Lorraine (Bill) Cowan, their children, Kim Cowan, Craig (Lindsey) Cowan 3. Henry Allan Hangs, his children, Terry (Tammy) Hangs, son Taylor, Ryan (Lisa), children Rosalie and Raymond. 4. Garth’s Children Keely and Alexa Hangs and their Mother Kathleen. Marie is also survived by two siblings, Fred (Ann) Odnokon and Lavern Minisofer and a host of Nieces, Nephews and Families. Marie was predeceased by her parents, William and Sophia Odnokon, her beloved husband Henry Hangs, her son Garth Hangs, daughter-in-law Gloria Breckner, brothers Walter, Herb, John (Lorraine), and Albert Odnokon, sisters Olivia (William) Plainidin and Eileen (Harvey) Capstin, and brother-in-law Al Minisofer.

• Date : 2015-02-04
• Location : Melfort, Sk