Doreen Schwan

Our wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother Doreen Isabel Schwan passed away peacefully at The Meadows in Swift Current on April 7, 2021. Doreen will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her daughter Kim (Frank) Arnal of Eastend and son Jeff (Brenda) Schwan of Swift Current. Doreen is survived by her grandchildren Cody (Melissa) Spetz of Eastend, Kyle (Heather) Spetz of Eastend, Amy Arnal (Francois DeNysschen) of Biggar, Austin Arnal of Eastend, Ty Schwan (Sidney Stock) of Waldeck, and Payton Schwan (Bailey Plaisier) of Waldeck. Great grandchildren Ashlynn and Felix Spetz, Lincoln, Lennon and Maverik Spetz and Pake Plaisier. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Doreen was predeceased by her parents Cameron and Dolly (McKay) Lytle and her loving husband Bernard (Barney) Schwan. Doreen was born on April 14, 1929 in Prince Albert, SK. She enjoyed growing up on the farm as an only child. She loved the outdoors and being with her dad especially as he did farm work with horses; she would later use horses herself for cutting and raking hay and enjoyed the chore. She spent many hours riding her horse Sandy; she rode with her cousin Lois and her horse Lady, herding sheep. They had wild-west adventures with creative alter-egos Doreen as "Tex Wayne from Rock Springs, Wyoming" and Lois being "Slim Dexter from Coffee Creek, Montana". Together, in 1986, they took a memorable road trip to Texas, stopping at these sites for a few photo-ops. After completing school in MacDowall, Doreen moved to Prince Albert to work in accounts receivable at West Lumber and Supply Company Ltd. It was there that she met Barney while he was working at Modern Motors. They were married December 20, 1952 at St. Stephens Anglican Church in MacDowall. They continued to live and work in Prince Albert until her dad's passing, after which they took over the operation of the family farm. In 1967 they welcomed a daughter Kim, and in 1969 Jeff arrived completing their family.
They continued to work the farm until selling it in 1974, and for the next 10 years owned and operated motels in Tisdale and then Swift Current where they retired. Doreen enjoyed knitting and created wonderful keepsakes for her family. Her passion for horses never subsided and they were often the subject of her brush in the many paint by numbers that she so enjoyed. She had a very sharp mind, solving the weekly crossword puzzles from the Globe and enjoyed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Doreen was a huge country music fan and attended many concerts through the years with Lois or Kim. She helped care for Cody and Kyle when they were young children and later enjoyed providing after-school care for Ty and Payton; always waiting for their arrival with treats. Amy and Austin loved visiting Grandma when they came to the city. She would have weekly visits with her friends for breakfast or coffee. After Barney's passing in 2001 she remained active and always determined and insisted she be independent, even shoveling her own snow well into her 80's! Doreen broke her hip in 2018 and recovered very well but did slow down eventually requiring home care services to stay in her own home as long as possible. Erwin Dauk, who had been assisting with yard work for many years also became a trusted good friend to Doreen, checking on her daily during this time. This devotion has meant so much to the family. She moved into the Meadows in 2020 residing there until her passing. Doreen will be forever remembered for her great sense of humour, her wit, and her boundless love. Donations in Doreen's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society 1910 McIntyre Street Regina, SK S4P 2R3. Warren's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 306-773-8831, or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com, and express your sympathy to the family on our tribute wall.

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