Ann Christine Mills (Hauser) (Punk)
July 21, 1934 – July 26, 2014
Ann was born in Porva Weszprem, Megye, Hungary to Jacob & Katarina Punk on July 21, 1934.
At the age of 14, Ann immigrated with her parents and her brother Frank to Canada, settling in the James Bay, SK area. As a young woman, Ann worked alongside her parents in the Laundry Dept. of the hospital in Humboldt, SK. At the age of 18 she married Frank Hauser and over the years had 4 children: Sherry, Roger, Beverly and Terry. After her marriage, Ann had another brother born in Canada who they named Jack, after Ann’s father Jacob.
Ann worked hard on the farm, from baling hay to raising cattle and hogs, planting trees and gardening, as well as raising the children and looking after household duties. In her spare time she designed dresses for her daughters, with no patterns to be used. She also created skating costumes for her loyal customers. It gave her a great sense of pride. Ann was also a talented photographer, using her children as models for her black and white photos in those days.
After 18 years, circumstances changed beyond her control and Ann moved to Humboldt, SK with her 4 children.
Eventually Ann found the mountains and rivers in Sparwood BC where she met a kind man named Gary Mills who treated her and her children well. Ann built a new life in Sparwood, working alongside her husband Gary in a business venture they formed together; Mill’s Janitorial and Steam Cleaning. As well as being the receptionist for their company, Ann also had her own home-based business sewing custom drapes for the people of Sparwood.
Ann was very social and loved being around people. She was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her hobbies included flower gardening, garage sales, playing cards, and doing crafts such as ceramics, macramé and making silk flowers.
Throughout the years Ann’s health began to decline as she struggled with diabetes, fibromyalgia, suffered 2 heart attacks, and eventually dementia. Ann had 9 lives and even lived through a couple of accidents. Through it all, Ann’s terrific sense of humour remained intact; she loved to joke around and played cards till the end, even in her times of pain.
We will miss her and may we never lose our memories of the good that was in her heart! Thank you all for your support, it will never be forgotten!
Prayers will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at 7 PM on Thursday, July 31st. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 1st with Father Bart van Roijen, Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Rivercrest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dementia Foundation, the BC Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Diabetes Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be made at www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.