Obituary of Mary Orton

Orton – Mary (Letkeman) passed away at Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current on November 29, 2023, just eight days after her 95^th birthday.  Mary was born November 21, 1928 in Russia, the second child of Jacob and Florentina Letkeman. When Mary was not quite two years old, her parents, older brother Jack, and herself immigrated to Canada where their family settled south east of Carmichael, Saskatchewan. Mary and her siblings all attended Carmichael Village School, not too far from the family’s home. When she first began attending school, she spoke no English (as German was spoken in their home).

Mary moved out to Matsqui, British Columbia in the late 1940s with her sister, Erna, and found work berry picking. While there, she met David Eddy, who was a widower with a young daughter, Sharon. They were married in 1949, but their married life was sadly cut short when David was killed in a logging accident before Mary gave birth to their daughter Patricia.  After a few months, Mary and baby Patsy returned to Carmichael to be closer to the Letkeman family.  Mary met Raymond Orton, also from the Carmichael area, and they were married November 4, 1951 in Gull Lake.  Mary and Ray lived the first years of their married life in Carmichael, and later moved into Gull Lake in the late 1950s.  In addition to daughter Patricia, they were blessed with three boys: Michael, Daniel and Reginald. Mary was never idle. When Ray was contract operating, Mary did all the billing and bookkeeping, sometimes for as many as fourteen different companies at a time. Ray and Mary farmed together for many years north of Carmichael, where she grew an amazing garden, helped haul grain, and repaired equipment.  Mary was always happy to be surrounded by her family, and more than anything she lived for feeding her family and friends.  Her most sought-after signature treats were flapper pie, ginger sparkles, and “fat hamburgers” to name just a few.  Everyone who entered her home was always made to feel very welcome, and nobody ever left with an empty stomach. Mary’s hobbies were baking, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, and listening to her favourite country music. She was very lucky to be able to continue with all of her favourite hobbies when she moved into Autumn House in the summer of 2019.  Mary was a wonderful friend to all of the residents and staff alike, who she all treated as family.

Mary was predeceased by her husband of 59 years Raymond Orton in 2011, her first husband David Eddy in 1949, her parents Jacob and Florentina Letkeman, brothers Jack (Clara) Letkeman, Ervien Letkeman, Karl (Ellie) Letkeman, sisters Erna (Elliot) Hoyt, Susan (Ray) Rebman, father-in law and mother-in-law Raymond M. and Hilda Orton (Helmuth Klincker).  Mary will be forever missed by her four children: daughter Pat (Terry) Busse, sons Mike (Deb) Orton, Dan (Daphne) Orton and Reg (Carla) Orton, grandchildren: Andy (Ruby) Busse, Angie (Mike) Hughes, Todd Orton, Tara (Nick) Richards, Ryan Orton, Eric (Brenna) Orton, Tyler (Miranda) Orton, Jesse (Kendra) Orton, Caleb (Morgan Tetlock) Orton and Abby Orton, 13 great grandchildren, siblings: sister Lil (Hugh) Hauser, brother Ben (Peggy) Letkeman and many nieces and nephews.

To honour Mary’s wishes, a private family celebration of her life was held with interment at the Gull Lake Cemetery.

Mary’s family are eternally grateful for all the wonderful care she received while she was a resident at Autumn House over the past four and a half years.  In lieu of flowers, a donation to Autumn House Independent Living Facility Inc. (Box 630 Gull Lake, Saskatchewan S0N 1A0) would be appreciated by the family.