Laurena Bedard

Laurena Cecile Bedard passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022 at the age of 68. She is survived by her loving husband Denis; her three children Andre (Carri), Josee (Kim), Miguel (Amber); grandchildren Logan, Olivia, Matthew and Hanna; brothers Ronald (Alison), Raymond (Diana), Denis (Doris), Herve (Kerri), Marcel (Linda); aunts and uncles and numerous nieces and nephews. Laurena is predeceased by her parents Rene and Alida. Born on February 12, 1953 in Val Marie, Saskatchewan, she was the third of six children, and only daughter to Rene Nadeau and Alida Ruest. She went to school in Val Marie until grade nine and continued her education in Ponteix until her high school graduation in 1971. She then attended the Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon and graduated with a Library Technician Certificate. Laurena met the love of her life, Denis, in 1968 in Ponteix. Denis and Laurena dated for three years and were engaged on Laurena's high school graduation day. Denis and Laurena were married August 5, 1972 in Val Marie and moved to Swift Current to start their life together. Laurena was employed as a library technician for the city of Swift Current Public School Board's seven elementary schools. Two years later, Denis and Laurena moved to Ponteix. Laurena worked as a bookkeeper for the Ponteix Co-op Association until 1975, when their first child Andre was born. In 1978, their daughter Josee was born and in 1980, their son Miguel arrived and completed their little family. Laurena was a full-time mom, and took on part-time work as a teller, bookkeeper and cook. Denis began farming after he purchased some land from his father. They built a house and moved to the Bedard homestead in 1984, where they raised their family and built their farm business. She began working as a library technician at the Ponteix High School in 1986, until her retirement in 2013, a perfect career for such an avid reader and booklover! She enjoyed it so much that she continued to work on a casual basis at the school and at the Chinook Regional Library until her passing. Laurena also enjoyed farming, especially when she and Denis raised sheep. They were a great team and worked very hard to ensure each harvest was a success. Laurena loved to sew and do needlework; made clothes for Denis and the children, as well as Josee's many dolls. She has hemmed many, many pairs of Denis' jeans over the years! She also enjoyed quilting, and made many beautiful quilts for her family and grandchildren. She had an immense passion for gardening. When she and Denis moved to the farm, the yard only had one elm tree, so they tirelessly planted hundreds of trees around the farm house. Laurena grew amazing vegetable gardens and spent many hours weeding - that portulaca sure could get out of hand! Over the years, her gardens were so plentiful that she was able to share vegetables with many friends and family, even after all of her canning was done. Her flower and perennial gardens were nothing short of spectacular. She patiently grew annuals from seed every spring and cared for these tiny plants until they were ready to be transplanted. Her flower beds were meticulously planned, and were so big and beautiful, people from town came to look at all the wonderful colours. Denis and Laurena enjoyed camping and the outdoors, and although she didn't love to fish, every time Laurena went fishing with Denis, she would out-fish him by catching the biggest one! They really enjoyed their trips to Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand on agriculture tours. Laurena's faith and spirituality gave her strength and courage during the good times, and when she faced adversity. She was very thankful for all that she was blessed with and generously gave back to the community and others. Laurena devoted herself entirely to her family and worked very hard every day, from morning until very late at night, to make her home a warm, safe and beautiful environment for her family. There was always wonderful, hearty meals, clean laundry and lots of love - her family came first; they wanted for nothing. When she was blessed with her grandchildren, she beamed. They brought her so much joy and she spoiled them as much as possible. They were never short of hugs and kisses (and Kraft Dinner!). Laurena was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend and she will be dearly missed. Donation's in Laurena's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation Of Saskatchewan 1738 Quebec Avenue, Unit 26
Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9. Lemieux's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 306-625-3925, or visit our website at www.lemieuxfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family on our tribute wall.

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