Renata Harvie

August 25, 1948 ~ May 31, 2021

Our mother, Renata Harvie, (nee Tremmel), passed away peacefully on Monday, May 31, 2021 at Victoria Hospital, with some of her children and grandchildren by her side.  Renata managed to maintain a happy and fulfilling life prior to this past year, despite her failing health. And in the end her heart failed her but her love for and from her family  – did not.

Renata was born to Franziska Tremmel (Kittler) on August 24, 1948 in Heppenheim, Germany. She migrated to Canada in 1951 with her mother and older sister, Frances. Her mother married John G. Muller shortly after coming to Canada and Renata was raised in the small town of St. Benedict, Saskatchewan. In 1966. Renata married and moved to Prince Albert where she lived until 1984.

Renata is survived by her children: Monica Harper of Prince Albert, Heather Orosz of Coaldale AB, Michael Harvie of Meadow Lake, SK and Joyce Harvie of Prince Albert;  grandchildren Hannah Ethier (Brandon), Shelby Tucker, Rebecca Harper (Travis Kowal and his son Austin), Beth Harper (Josh McDougall); Kinilynn Orosz, Julieanne Orosz, Sierra Orosz, Jordon Orosz, and Spencer Gauthier; and her most cherished grandson Jacob Harvie.

Her great grandchildren Beau, Piper, Harlow, Georgia, and Benjamin were fortunate to have known their Omi and to have spent many happy celebrations with her over the last seven years. The littles always brought her so much joy and it was extra special when Georgia was born on her 70^th birthday.

Renata is also survived and missed by her sisters:  Frances (Cliff) Davidson of Prince Albert, Isabel Roberts of Victoria, and Corinna Muller (Sheldon Golding) of Prince Albert. She cherished the times spent with her sisters and was always there to help when she could, and was grateful for the times her sisters were able to help her. They shared lots of adventures and as a result told many stories, laughed hard, shed tears, and loved deeply when they were together.

Renata also leaves behind four nieces, Michelle Duford-Beuhler, Melanie Driedger, Jennifer Roberts-Hall and Cassandra Kahlika; and two nephews, Steven Roberts and Brandon Loehndorf; great nieces, nephews, a great great nephew (Sebastian), and numerous cousins.

Special relationships with Cameron Tucker, Larissa (Lumberjack) Hykaway, and all of Monica’s friends, sustained her interest and love for others.

Renata was predeceased by her stepfather John Muller in 1998 and her mother Frances Muller in 2011; also, her beloved son-in-law, Warren Harper in 2014 and her brother-in-law Ron Roberts in 2020.

Like the children’s book “My Mom is So Unusual”, Renata was one of a kind.  As a single woman, and with a lust for adventure, Renata lived in many places in Northern and Western Canada, most notably having lived in Yellowknife, NWT for 5 years, British Columbia for 10 years (Pender Island, Nanaimo, and Victoria); and Alberta for a number of years (Edmonton, Lethbridge, Coaldale). Mom finally returned to Saskatchewan in 2005 and lived in Meadow Lake for 10 years before returning to Prince Albert in 2015.  Renata also experienced travel to many of the western United States in the late 70’s and went to Holland for a month in 1983.

Renata worked in the service industry most of her life and at some of the most notable bars/pubs/lounges in Prince Albert.  She was often referred to as the “best waitress in town”. She worked at the Lotus Café when first coming to Prince Albert, then for years at the Coronet bar, the Fireside Lounge, and the Louis Riel where live music and large crowds always made for interesting stories. She had worked at JR’s Restaurant & Lounge (old Amy’s) for 5 years before leaving PA. While living in Yellowknife, CBC did a documentary of the hotel where mom worked for 5 years.  The “Gold Range” hotel aka the “Strange Range”, had quite the reputation for the amount of money the owner made with clientele ranging from crown lawyers to fur trappers. Mom loved the time she lived there but the dark winters and long day summers finally took a toll and she moved southwest to Vancouver Island.

Joyce and Joyce’s son Jacob were Mom’s constant companions. Together they travelled and lived in all these places, and formed a little family of their own. Joyce remained committed to Mom’s well-being to the end and in doing so, sacrificed much of her own freedom and preferences. We know it was hard and done with love and we are grateful.

Renata loved to read above all else. She also loved murder/mystery TV series, game shows, gambling a wee bit, camping, walking, dancing, embroidering, crocheting, and cooking. She was a fantastic cook and baker and was always eager to share her recipes and food with her family. Like her mother, Renata also had a very green thumb, and when you were in her home you were always surrounded by the most beautiful house plants and if she liked you a lot, she would give you a slip of her favorite plant, or even better, she would grow one for you.  She has passed this passion for greenery and flowers down to her children and grandchildren and it’s in the genes we are sure, because not all of Renata’s children were raised by her, and yet they all have the most beautiful gardens and plants.

On the exterior, Renata had a beautiful smile, the deepest brown eyes, great legs and the most incredible natural fingernails.  She did her makeup impeccably and loved dressing up for work. She was one of the most nonjudgmental people we knew.

She lived her life on her own terms and had no time to critique other people’s lives.  She was too busy surviving, providing and living. She taught us to “Live and let live.” She didn’t always get it right, but in the end she left with peace in her heart knowing that she was deeply loved and that she loved deeply.  She experienced some great romantic loves in her life and some great emotional pains. She came to a place of forgiveness of self and others during her last few years of her life, which provided for inner peace and calm.

The family would like to thank Dr.’s Nico Kriel and Nigel Painter over the past 7 years for Mom’s care. She liked you both and said so.

Also Dr.  Jim Barton of St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon who always said Mom was his miracle patient having lived with failing kidneys for so long. Dr. Barton, your compassion, sense of humor, desire to educate, and kindness never went unmentioned amongst our family. You helped us all understand Mom’s disease better and thus help to care for her better. You also noted how much Renata was loved and how that aided in her wellness. You are an astute amazing man – thank you.

Thank you as well to Sheila Cooper, RN, Nursing Unit Manager of our ICU and all of the nurses who cared for our Mom, especially Jenson Olsen, your compassion during that very difficult time was so appreciated. We are so grateful that Renata was not alone as she crossed over to the other side. Thank you, Mom, Renata, Omi, auntie. We always felt loved and we miss you incredibly.  It was indeed a “pleasure”.

A Private Family Celebration will be held on August 25, 2021 at the Little Red River Park from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends of Renata’s who would like to come are welcome.  Please email Monica at monharper@sasktel.net

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729.

 

• Date : 2021-05-31
• Location : Prince Albert, SK