Sophie Lemermeyer

With gratitude for a life well lived, yet with saddened hearts the family of Sophie Lemermeyer announce her passing on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Sophie died peacefully at the family farm surrounded by her devoted children and her beloved canine companion, Solo.

Sophie will be lovingly remembered by her children, Sharon (Bob) Lainchbury, Janice (Mark) Berlinguette, Colette McLaughlin, Roxane Lemermeyer, Robert (Shannon) Lemermeyer, Sandra (Ken) Bannard and honorary daughter, Susan MacLellan. She will also be dearly missed by her grandchildren Connor and Regan Lainchbury, Lindsay Oscar, Katherine (Lucus Kelly) McLaughlin, Kristie (Scott) Gerber, Cameron and Hannah Lemermeyer, Michael (Sophie), Jordan (Roquel), Jason (Amanda), Aaron (Katelyn) and Natalie Bannard as well as her great grandchildren, Tyler and Sophia Oscar, Alexander and Macsen Gerber, Olivia Bannard, and Emma Bannard-Black.

Sophie will be also missed by her in-laws Rosemarie Zurek, Isabel Zurek, Rick and Agnes Cote, Norbert and Christine Lemermeyer, Bob and Iris Lemermeyer and their respective families.  As a longtime resident of Drayton Valley, she will be remembered fondly by many friends, colleagues, and former students.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of forty-three years, Hans Lemermeyer, infant daughter, Linda Marie, parents John and Michalena Zurek, brothers, Joseph and Stanley, and the late David Oscar (husband of Lindsay).

Sophie was born in Edmonton to Polish immigrant parents. She was raised in the Genesee area and attended high school in Thorsby. She obtained a teaching certificate from the University of Alberta in 1954 and began her career in a one room schoolhouse teaching grades one to six. She concluded her teaching career at St. Anthony School in 1991. When married in 1956, Sophie and Hans settled in Lodgepole for two years, later moving to Drayton Valley for sixteen years.  Her final home was the family farm north of Violet Grove where she lived the last forty-seven years. This home was the site of numerous family celebrations, feasts, and gatherings. 

Our mother was the most generous and hospitable of women. She loved nothing more than welcoming people with a sweet treat or beautiful meal. Her smile was warm and her laughter contagious. She was the best mother in the world and an inspiration to all her children. Mom epitomized grace, faith, courage, and devotion to her family, friends, and community.

Mom loved all her memorable dogs, Chase, Matilda, Bonnie, Ali, Barney, Bourbon, Princess, Duchess, Cleo, Shiloh, Brandy, Rascal, and Mitzi and will be happy to see them, because as we know, all dogs go to Heaven.

The family extends sincere appreciation and gratitude to the nurses from Health @ Home, Bryanna, Chelsea, and Denny whose compassionate care of our mom will never be forgotten as well as the hard-working nurses from Drayton Valley Palliative Home Care, Melanie, Jocelyn, and Amanda. Special thanks to Dr. R. Botes, her primary physician, who treated her with great kindness and dignity.

In honor of Sophie’s memory, donations can be made to the Drayton Valley Community Foodbank where she volunteered for many years.   

Drayton Valley Community Foodbank

Box 6805, Drayton Valley, Alberta T7A 1S2

A Memorial Mass for Sophie Lemermeyer will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023, 11:00 AM, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Fr. Martin Carroll presiding.

Arrangements in care of Colleen Sekura and Mike McCrae at

Drayton Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services  587-673-1688