HOUSE, Margaret Elmhurst 1910 – 2003

Margaret Elmhurst House, formerly of Arrowwood, Alberta, passed away Wednesday November 19, 2003 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 93 years.

Margaret was born on April 9, 1910 in High River to Elizabeth and Joseph Henry Connell. Margaret came to the Milt Ward home in November of 1930 and was there when their son, Jack, was born. She worked in the cook car for Mr. Ward and Mr. Hanson when they built the highway between Mossleigh and Carseland and earned 50 cents per day. Margaret also worked for Edith Steiner, Barbara DeWitt and the Chrestensons.

In 1936 she became chief cook at the Canada Land and Irrigation while a 25 man crew built the flume at Arrowwood. Her pay was raised to $1.00 per day. Margaret married Forest Henry House on June 13, 1936 in Calgary. They moved in with Forest’s brother, Dod House. Margaret had always been known as Elma, but with her sister-in-law also named Elma, she began to use her first name Margaret. Dod and Elma moved to Arrowwood in 1937 and Margaret and Forest took over the farm house. On September 25, 1943 a daughter Maureen was born. On November 19, 1945 a son Gene joined the family.

Margaret was very involved with the F.W.U.A. She served as the director of District 12 from 1995-60 and as district secretary from 1963-67. She traveled to Ottawa in 1957 as a delegate for F.U.A. Margaret was a lifetime member of the United Church Women and was also named an elder in the United Church.
Loving mother of a daughter Maureen Louise House of Corvallis, Oregon, a son Gene Victor (Donna) House of Denver, Colorado, 7 grandchildren, Shawn (Crystal) Cochran of Blackfoot, Idaho; Michèle (Jaime) Appell of Bellevue, Washington; Robin Cochran of Corvallis, Oregon; Michael (Kathy) House, Daniel (Julia) House, Andrea House (Chris Smith), all of Edmonton, Tyler House of Denver, Colorado, and 13 great grandchildren. Margaret is also survived by two sisters Barbara Cowling and Ruth Pearce of High River, one brother Melvin (Audrey) Connell of Grand Prairie, Alberta, her former daughter-in-law, Lynda House of B.C., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Forest in 1979, a grandson David Eugene Cochran, 4 sisters, four brothers and her parents.

Funeral service was held Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. at the Arrowwood Community Centre, Arrowwood with Rob Moore D.M. officiating.

Honorary bearers Jean Zahursky, Mary McDermid, Eleanor Ward, Jack Ward, Pete Brown, Debbie Stewart.

Casket bearers Mike House, Daniel House, Tyler House, Shawn Cochran, Jaime Appell, Chris Smith.

Internment followed at Arrowwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, tributes in Margaret’s memory can be made to either Harbour House, 604 8th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2K1 or Peter Dawson Lodge Memorial Fund, Box 760, Vulcan, Alberta T0L 2B0.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.