Wisener, Magdelina “Lena” of Vulcan, peacefully passed away at Vulcan Extendicare September 11, 2023 at the age of 103 years.
Lena was born at Marianthal, Saskatchewan, daughter of Michael and Katherine Ehrmantraut. Lena left the family farm near Bienfait, Saskatchewan in the early 1940’s to work in Ottawa as a clerk for the war effort, registering military men and women until 1946. That job ended and she was offered another job in Calgary to work as a data processor. She met the love of her life, George Wisener, after a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1950. They were married in Banff in August 1952.
George left Charlottetown in May 1947 and came west to Alberta, first to Calgary, Blairmore, and Leduc. In Calgary, he began working at a Funeral Home in 1950. He worked until completing his embalmers/ funeral directors licence.
On weekends and days off, they drove around the province looking for the perfect place to start a business. They picked Vulcan, purchased a building and in December of 1957 they moved in. They opened Vulcan Funeral Home in the fall of 1958. In1966 they added a double garage and a regular house above the existing building, and with that came more room to expand business which included the first flower shop, “Vulcan Flower Shop” with florist Lena Wisener, which flourished and complemented the funeral home in business until being sold in 1976.
George was called to his heavenly home in 1976. The family businesses were sold, first the Vulcan Flower Shop in 1976 to a local couple. And later in 1980, the funeral home to son Pat with his wife Rose.
Lena resided above the funeral home, as well as an apartment in Calgary. She played “big band” music with her “Dobro” Hawaiian style guitar, oil painting, sang with the senior choir at Kirby Centre playing in hospitals and lodges as well as Hawaiian hula and country western line-dancing with a younger crowd. At the age of 84 she said “those old people can’t keep up to me”.
Lena suffered a stroke in the fall of 2006, was in rehab in Calgary until returning to Vulcan’s Peter Dawson Lodge early 2007 where she resided until moving to Vulcan Extendicare for the past five years. She came a long way back from the effects of her stroke. She loved to paint, play her guitar and sing in the Vulcan Community Choir. Lena was unable to continue with the community choir in the 2014 year but enjoyed watching and listening to them sing.
Lena is survived by three sons Pat (Rose) Wisener of Vulcan and their 2 children Krista (Josh) Rogers and their children Noah and Aubrynn of Airdrie, Neil (Lindsay Gorbous) Wisener of Calgary, Michael (Adella) Wisener of Summerside, PEI, Bill (Linda) Wisener of Limon, Colorado and their 2 children Elisha and Nathan (Beth) and their daughter Darci of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a daughter Marlene Gzowski of Yellowknife, NWT, her daughter Angela, one brother Michael ( Dorothy) Ehrmantraut and families of Calgary, a sister Trudy Hodel and family of Regina, SK, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by husband George, a brother John (Gladys) Ehrmantraut, brother-in-law Fred Hodel and a sister Anne Ehrmantraut.
Funeral Service Monday, September 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at Central Church of Christ, Vulcan, Pastor Bill Wisener officiating. Interment Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 1:30 pm at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Calgary, AB.
Tributes in Lena’s memory can be made to the Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation, Box 28, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0 or through vchw.foundation@gmail.com.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca, We Remember.
Dear Pat, Rose and Family.
Sincere Sympathy on the passing of your Dear Mother and Grandmother. Thank You for your memorial to Lena letting us know how remarkable her life has been. She was a special lady.
Pat and Rose & families. My heartfelt Sympathy to you all in this difficult time.
Lena was a Wonderful Woman and Special Friend to me. I have memories of our
travels to listen to music, and when she shared her talent to teach me to play
the guitar. My Prayers and thoughts are with you.
Yours Truly, Laura G.
Pat and Rose & families. My heartfelt Sympathy to you all.
Your Mom was a wonderful woman and a special friend to me. I have memories of
our travels together to enjoy the music and when she shared her talents with me
to play the guitar. My Prayers and thoughts are with you.
Deepest sympathy to the Wisener family
My condolences to all the Wisener family. I have many good memories of my pre-school adventures as neighbours on main street. I was aware of your mother’s artistic talent (painting, flower arranging) and always thought she was rather quiet, so was surprised to read of her musical performing talents. I do know that in recent years she was always ready and waiting for her 5 pm Friday phone call: that her eyes lit up when the phone rang, followed by engaged conversation sprinkled with laughter. Lena loved her family and was blessed with devoted children. She was so fortunate to have Pat nearby, visiting frequently. It is comforting to think of Lena reunited with the love-of-her-life, George after being apart for 47 years!! What a wonderful reunion. May all their family enjoy being together at this tender time.
Pat and Family:
I knew your Dad and Mom from the early flower shop days, and they also assisted our family when my brother passed so many years ago.
She was a warm, and caring person, and her many talents showed.
My condolences to you all.
Ron Deitz
Sincere condolences to you and your family Pat. She was an incredible lady.
My condolences to Pat and family.
Dear Pat,Rose & family my sincere condolences on the death of Lena.
I always admired her zest for life.
I grew to know her better while volunteering at Extendicare she was always game for every activity.
May she Rest In Peace.
Pat, Rose and Family; so so sorry on the loss of your beautiful mother Lena, she was a real gem. Always so gracious and friendly. She always took such beautiful care of herself and looked like a million bucks. She will be missed by all of your family keep her memories close to your heart. Ken and Jean Forsen
Thinking of your family with love and our deepest sympathies during this difficult time
So very sorry for your loss
My sympathy goes out to Pat, Rose, and all of the Wisener Family on the recent passing of Lena! She and her family have been an important part of the social fabric of Vulcan County for many decades, and both she and George … and later Pat and Rose … have faithfully served the residents of The County for many years! Lena was a lovely lady, and I remember her well for her kindness, her professionalism, her attention to detail, and her helpfulness to so many local families over the years. She enjoyed a very lengthy life, and will long be remembered by the people of Vulcan and surrounding villages with fondness and appreciation!
I’m so sorry for your loss, but so happy for Lena. She knew she would be going to a better, beautiful place.
I have such wonderful memories of Lena, when I worked at the Lodge. At Christmas time when I took Baileys in and we would have hot chocolate and Baileys (but Lena took hers straight). I’d bring my guitar and we would sing Christmas carols all afternoon. Such a beautiful, classy lady. She will definitely be missed by many.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Lena. She was such an extraordinary lady, so full of life and always radiant. Our families in PEI have only the fondest of memories of her visits to Watervale. At the age of 89 and undeterred by age or distance, Lena made the long journey across Canada to attend the Wisener reunion in 2009. It was one of the highlights of that weekend to have Lena and her family join us on PEI. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit with her in 2019. She will certainly be missed as she was the last of that generation in our family. We will cherish the memories and may she rest in peace.
Doreen Wisener (grand niece), Kentucky Paul (nephew) & Mary Wisener, PEI
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Lena. She was such an extraordinary lady, so full of life and always radiant. Our families in PEI have only the fondest of memories of her visits to Watervale. At the age of 89 and undeterred by age or distance, Lena made the long journey across Canada to attend the Wisener reunion in 2009. It was one of the highlights of that weekend to have Lena and her family join us on PEI. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit with her in 2019. She will certainly be missed as she was the last of that generation in our family. We will cherish the memories and may she rest in peace.
Doreen Wisener (grand niece) , Kentucky
Paul (nephew) & Mary Wisener , PEI
Pat, Rose, Mike, Della, ,Bill, Linda and Families, our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mom and grandma. Lena was a wonderful, caring, passionate and generous lady to so many of us over the years.
I truly enjoyed seeing her at the office while I was working and she was always willing to assist in anything and everything!!! I will always cherish and respect her for the loving woman she was!!
God Bless you all!!
Pat , Rose and Family, Loving thoughts to you on the passing of your Mum. Wow! What and amazing journey she had.
Leslie Collins
Pat and family.
I am so sorry to hear of you Mom’s passing. She was a wonderful compassionate person. Your father, her, and you have provided our family with excellent, loving service over the years. Celebrate her life well. Big hugs to all of you.
Alayne Sinclair
Pat and Rose and families, What a wonderful life your Mom has had!! She was such an incredibly kind and generous lady as well as very talented. She has touched the lives of so many and she will be incredibly missed. My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dear Mom. A lifetime of memories for all of you.
Pat and Rose, Condolences to you and your extended family on the passing of your mother. With such a remarkable long life she touched many people with her talents. You must have great memories of her life. May she rest in peace.
Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, I never she was so active and talented. Condolences to your whole family, prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. R.I.P. Lena.
Dear Pat and Rose,
My condolences on the passing of your mother (in-law), Lena…What a remarkable, long , and busy life she had.
Theresa Henderson
Condolences to all you Weisners. Your mother had a long and good life and I’m sure she would have been very happy to go. Wow! So much I never knew about her, like her guitar and singing talents and her Hawaiian side. Pat, it’s always good to see you. And Michael, we spend our summers in PEI near Victoria. Wishing you peace with the memories of your parents.