Gleichen cemetery gets makeover

Times Contributor 

 

A run down cemetery may be the stuff of Hollywood films, but for the people who maintain that rundown cemetery, it is a nightmare.

For Gleichen Lions members, who help maintain the Gleichen cemetery, it is becoming too much work as the members are aging. Between ground heaves, broken tombstones and gopher holes in the older areas, it is treacherous to walk across. The newer gravesites have less problems and the veterans memorial area is nicely laid out.

Ivy Bogstie, a local lady in her nineties, took past pleasure in walking between graves, remembering passing friends and researching the graves of unidentified souls. Bogstie said it is just too dangerous for her to walk there anymore, due to the uneven ground surface. Many families interred their loved ones there, but they have since moved away. Some people have no idea that their ancestors are in the site. Bogstie said the oldest graves were of James and Elisa Wishart from 1900 and 1906, and Sala Jace-1902.

Colin Smith spoke out the open house, held in the Gleichen Community Hall on Oct. 16, to discuss cemetery plans. Smith said that century old cemeteries in New Brunswick, where he was born, are now shut down to the public, because they weren’t renovated or maintained.

“There is a lot of history there (Gleichen cemetery), but no dignity,” said Judy Sauve, a Lions member that helps out. “It’s a lot of work and money and we have done a lot of thinking. We have been working on it a long time. I want respect there, now there is none,” said Sauve.

Sauve is talking about the respect that a renovation could give to the graves of those who have passed away; people who contributed to the community over the years. Some of the families with loved ones interred could not be located and others could not afford to upgrade deteriorated  gravesites. 

The County of Wheatland has offered to upgrade the cemetery, repair the graves and take over maintenance. There are three cemeteries at the Gleichen site; the Gleichen cemetery, the Roman Catholic cemetery and the Eventide cemetery.  The County has negotiated a contract to take over the renewal of all three. The Catholic Diocese will contribute part of the costs. The County has secured grants and  formed partnerships with the local organizations, like Gleichen in Bloom and the Gleichen Lions, to help further fund the project. They are also taking donations for the project. 

There are municipal laws surrounding cemeteries and proper maintenance and interment of the deceased, which places an onus on the county to uphold. In developing ideas for the project, consultations were made with other towns that had done similar projects, and research conducted, on what might be involved in the project. Cost breakdowns were done. Gerry Van Oostwaard, now retired from the County Public Works department ,has offered to donate time to supervise the project. Laslo promised the project will be treated with respect and sensitivity to family concerns.

Renovation costs will include a survey of the graves, engineering costs, researching the names of persons in each gravesite and creating a database to record them. It also includes the fees of a professional cemetery expert, who will temporarily remove the monuments, headstones, bases and concrete grave covers for ground restoration. Then there are the material and work costs. 

Once the surface is levelled, a concrete runner will be placed in rows between the graves and the headstones, etc. will all be replaced on the concrete runner. Those headstones that are unmarked or weathered beyond restoration, will have a brass plaque placed, to clearly identify the person in each placement. The whole site will  have pathways and be restored and beautified.

The cost is estimated at approximately $761,500. Most of the funds are currently in place through grants and partnerships. 

Not everyone is enamoured of the idea. There were those at the meeting who felt the money could be better placed in fixing up the hamlet’s infrastructure. Robert Barstead said that by disturbing the ground, the aesthetic  and historical value will be disturbed.

“Cemeteries are unique. They have a provenance and have a historical record,” said Barstead. 

He said he has seen hand carved markers that were lovingly placed on rude crosses , marking graves in the cemetery. He commented seeing other untouched cemeteries, set in prairie landscapes that had an ambience that is lost in new cemeteries. He said it is like art, what one person thinks is nice, another dislikes. He asked if, somehow, there could be a compromise arranged between the two ideas, before rushing ahead with the plan. 

Many of those attending the evening were interested in the wall displays, set up for their viewing.  The Gleichen area was settled prior to Alberta becoming a province. The hamlet has an extensive history, and each name lining the walls of the community hall has a story to be told that would interest local historians and those throughout the province. A copy of the database names will also be given to the provincial archives. The County is hoping that individuals in the area, who think they may have loved one there, will help them identify the unmarked plots.

Information on the project and detailed breakdowns can be asked for from the County office. The forms for identification and donations can be picked up at the County as well. For more information call Jim Laslo, Manager of Administrative service at 403 934-3321.