Remembering our past – Erwin & Mary Jo Hoelscher

Times Contributor

 

Erwin’s parents emigrated to Rockyford from Germany in 1928, and purchased the farm where Erwin and Mary Jo now live in 1940. Mary Jo’s father was born in Muenster, Saskatchewan in the early 1920’s, while her mother was born in Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan. 

Her father was a teacher and her mother was a practical nurse. Following her father’s footsteps, Mary Jo also became a teacher, and graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatoon before moving to Calgary as a teacher in 1969. Her first position was as a Grade 1 teacher at Holy Redeemer. She remembers she had 42 Grade 1 students in her class, with no teacher’s assistant, a situation which would not be permitted these days. Erwin spent 12 years at Rockyford School where he was taught by the Ursuline Sisters. Mary Jo and Erwin met at a Sadie Hawkins singles dance in Calgary, where ladies were encouraged to ask men to dance. She says that it was meant to be, that she and Erwin would meet. He had attended this dance with a date, but Mary Jo kept asking him to dance! They were married on November 29, 1980, after what Mary Jo describes as a short and very romantic period of engagement. Their marriage produced a son and a daughter, and they have one grand-daughter.

Mary Jo has been a teacher all her life, teaching in Calgary, Strathmore and Hutterite Colonies around Rockyford. Erwin took over the family farm, following the death of both his parents in 1976. It was a mixed farm with grain and cattle, and in 1985, they were presented with the “Outstanding Farmyard” Award by Wheatland County. This award was given on an annual basis.

Mary Jo’s parents brought with them the custom of decorating their house for the different seasons of the year. A natural progression was for Mary Jo to continue this trend, and with Erwin they now decorate both inside and outside their farmhouse and buildings, especially at Christmastime. Neighbours and friends who have driven to or past their house, know there are thousands of lights used for this display. People who stop, are invited to participate in an evening of singing, sometimes accompanied by Mary Jo on the player piano which is her pride and joy. There is always good food and fellowship to be enjoyed. Mary Jo has a beautiful singing voice, and has sung ‘Oh Canada’ at different functions, on many occasions, along with many other renditions of choral music.

Erwin retired from farming in 2006, and became a much sought-after landscaper for their church, the local cemetery, and people’s homes. He is a member of Knights of Columbus. They both take great interest in the Rockyford Community and are very involved with St Rita’s Catholic Church, where Mary Jo is a member of the Catholic Women’s League.

They enjoy travelling to new locations, and spend as much time as they can with their grand-daughter Autumn. They have also served on executive positions of Wheatland Whirlers Square Dance Club in Strathmore.

Changes noted in the area over the past 30 years, include the disappearance of smaller family farms, and the paving of many country roads.