Sofia Rauhala

Sofia Marie Rauhala of Barons, Alberta, passed away peacefully with family at her side, after a courageous battle with cancer, on July 27, 2019 at the age of 71 years.

Sofia was the youngest daughter born in Carmangay to parents Helmi and Wilfred Row. She grew up in a small Farmhouse without central heat or running water. She attended school in Barons and was in the last Grade 12 class they had there. She met her future husband there also. After they were married, they moved into a newly built house on the present farm site. She lived there until her illness forced her to remain in Lethbridge.

She soon was raising three children and running the house along with supporting her farming spouse. She enjoyed working with animals and every cow had a name. Together they ran a successful chicken barn, producing eggs that were delivered to the hatchery in Lethbridge. She would have named the chickens too if there weren’t so many!

Along with the farm, she worked in Claresholm at a greenhouse and then a dollar store. She developed wonderful relationships with her employers and staff members. Hard work and perseverance were taught to her by her mother and she worked to the best of her ability.

Sofia loved many things: her family, friends, flowers, baking, reading, playing games, camping, fishing, and gardening. She shared this love with many family and friends through the years.

Early in the year you would find her in the greenhouse planting seeds to raise the flowers and vegetables to transplant in June. She was a backyard bird watcher and could identify the ones that came to visit. Her garden was a source of pride and the vegetables and tomatoes that were stored all winter or canned. She always had homemade baking to share at holiday feasts, along with her pickles. She would always participate in Easter egg decorating, looking for Christmas trees and tobogganing. Even after she broke her wrist one year.

She attended virtually every function that her grandchildren were involved in. Christmas concerts, school plays, 4-H calf shows, dance performances, soccer, curling, and band performances. She loved family gatherings. Large or small. You could find her at graduations, family reunions, milestone birthdays and anniversaries, weddings, etc. Often taking pictures to share later.

She was involved in the community also. She often worked during elections. She played softball at the annual sports day, was a member of the curling clubs, and long-time member of Keho Golf club. She treasured her close friends. Went to bingo with them and enjoyed hearing about their trips, even though she didn’t want to travel outside of Canada. She did enjoy her few trips to Victoria and Vancouver to visit relatives. In her spare time, she would do crossword puzzles and read. She also enjoyed watching crime-drama tv shows.

After her move to St. Mikes and her vision and mobility deteriorated, she relished visits from everyone. She especially liked going outside to visit with the other residents there.

Besides her husband Brian, she is survived by daughter Ledean (Wes) Skiba, and sons Rod Rauhala and Mitch (Kim) Rauhala. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren: Coral, Paige, and Reed Skiba; TiAnna Rauhala; Braden, Logan, Kaleb, Chase, and Donovan Rauhala. Sofia is also survived by sisters Barbara Bell and Gina Fraser, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Sofia was predeceased by her father Wilfred, mother Helmi, stepfather Jim, and brother George.

Sofia was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She took pride in their accomplishments and carried the family photos with her to show at a moment’s notice. She will be sadly missed.

A Celebration Of Life will be held at 2:00pm, on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Pastor Rodger Halvorsen, officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Jack Ady Cancer Center, 960 19 St S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 1W5 or St. Mikes Palliative Care Unit, 1400 9 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V5.

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