Obituary of Ella Karg (nee Doering)

Ella Karg was born July 17, 1927 on the farm north of Hanna, the second daughter to Rudolph and Augustina Doering. After 3 years, the family, then numbering 3, moved to a farm south of Hanna in the Parr district. After the unfortunate and untimely death of her mother in March 1938, Ella and older sister Alma become “surrogate” mothers to their six younger siblings. Ella attended the Dalkeith School until grade 4, then went to the Parr school to finish grade nine. Both schools were uphill both ways from their home and the trek was made by foot or by horse. After she finished grade 9, Ella moved to Hanna to live with her Uncle Art and Aunt Adeline Weich and found employment at the Hanna Hospital as an aid. No training was needed at that time as nursing aids were in high demand due to the war efforts. Then came “Love and Marriage”. Ella and Victor Karg were united in marriage on November 2, 1947. They resided on the Dave Rust farm in Parr district until 1949 when Vic’s Dad retired and moved to Hanna. Ella and Vic moved into their forever home at Bullpound. It has been said that Ella had the cleanest windows in the neighborhood and was the envy of all around. Their farmyard was their pride and joy and was landscaped with a large variety of ornaments and recycled curios. For several years, the Christmas display was spectacular and was probably visible from the space station. Birds were a passion for Ella and she could identify all species that were common in the area. Ella became an active in the Parr Ladies Group, and later the Golden Hills Ladies. She enjoyed the time spent with the local ladies while quilting, hosting luncheons for wedding showers, farm sales, and general socialization. In 1965, she joined the Order of the Royal Purple chapter in Hanna. During the course of her 41year membership, she was part of the drill team, competing in competitions and gained status as an Honored Royal Lady. The Bullpound Hall would not have survived without the support of Ella and Vic Karg. Besides being the resident caretakers and holding executive positions, she helped organize the Wednesday night curling league, numerous dart and card tournaments, dances, wedding showers, family reunions, potluck suppers and many more events happening at the hall. After Vic retired from his mechanical career, the two of them spent at least a month every fall in their motor home, following the highway to wherever it took them, catching up with distance relatives, making new friends and visiting sites along the way. The long weekend in May was always spent at Chicken Lake with the “Bullpound Clan”. Since Ella and Vic were not blessed with a family of their own, her 19 nieces and nephews became her “kids”. After Vic’s passing in 1999, Ella retired to her rented home in Hanna, then to Parkview Manor in 2009. Evenings were spent playing cards and quiddler. Ella loved to socialize, and the coffee pot was always on and a sweet treat was never far away. In November 2019, Ella moved to Long Term Care where she resided until her passing. Ella is survived by her 5 siblings:Alma Karg, Reinhold Doering, Adolph Doering, Bernice O’Neill, Helen Merchant and numerous nieces and nephews. A lovely lady with a big heart has been reunited with her departed loved ones and will leave a huge hole with her loved ones left behind. If one so desire, donations in memory of Ella are gratefully accepted to the Heart and Stroke Fund, 119 14 St NW #100, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6. Hanna Funeral Services Ltd., entrusted with the care and arrangements; 403-854-5959, www.hannafuneral.ca