Obituary of Rolande Free

Rolande Jeanne Free of Lafleche, SK passed away peacefully at the Lafleche District Health Centre on November 19, 2018, at the age of 96 years. Rolande was born on August 10, 1922, on the family farm in the Glentworth district. She was the fourth of six children born to Edward and Melvina (nee Dufour) Roy. In 1928, Rolande’s mother passed away; she attended the Lafleche Convent for three years. While there, Mother Superior Stevens inspired Rolande’s writing. Rolande had a passion for poetry, which she carried throughout her life, as a past time she would scribble down and work on the verses, she wrote many beautiful poems and enjoyed reading them. Later, she attended school at the College in Gravelbourg. Earl Harding was her first love and they married in 1942, and were blessed with five children; Larry, Dolores, Jeannie, Joe and Wayne. Sadly in 1949, Earl and her son Joe had an accident and drowned and in 1974, her son Wayne passed away. On April 19, 1951, Rolande and Ken Free married, they were blessed with three boys; Casey, Butch, and Dale. In 1980, Rolande moved to Moose Jaw; there she especially enjoyed watching the sunset and sunrise from her 11th floor apartment window. She enjoyed going to the casino and loved to watch her beloved Blue Jays; she would even rearrange her schedule to stay home when they played. Rolande was proud of her children and cherished time spent with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Rolande had a strong faith, a good sense of humour, and a positive outlook on life. She never met anyone that she did not like. Rolande will be remembered for her kindness and gentle spirit. She will be dearly missed. Rolande is survived by her loving family, son Larry (Marie) Harding; daughter Dolores (David) Orr; daughter Jeannie (Mel) Barkley; son Casey Free; son Butch (Rose) Free; son Dale (Doris) Free; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth Free (1998); husband Earl Harding (1949); son Joe Harding (1949); son Wayne Harding (1974); granddaughter Deanna McNeice (2005); sisters Simone Auger, Terry Stevenson; brothers Rene Roy, Claude Roy, and Gilbert Roy. Funeral Mass was held on Friday, November 23, 2018, 12:00 p.m., at Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapel, Assiniboia, SK, with Father Dennis Remotcelebrant. A tribute was shared by Wanda Uhren and Michelle Wendt. Hymns were One Day at a Time, Amazing Grace, and Beyond the Sunset. Urn bearer was Casey Free. Honourary pallbearers were all those whose lives were touched by Rolande throughout the years.