November 27th, 1935 – July 31st, 2022
It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Yvette Surprenant (Supernant). Yvette passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 31st, 2022 in Innisfail, Alberta at the age of 86.
Yvette is survived by her children, Darlene, Wayne, Val (Richard) and Martin (Bonnie), brothers and sisters, Daniel, Frank, Mike, Stan, Doris, Susanne (Toadsie) and Corrie (Rob), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Yvette was [predeceased by her mother Louise Ghostkeeper, her sons baby Lawrence, Dennis, Ernie, Les and daughter Audrey. Yvette had a twin sister, Yvonne that she was separated from in Residential school.
Yvette was born in McLennan, Alberta on November 27th 1935. A residential school survivor, she spent many of her childhood years in Residential school where she worked in the kitchen. With her kind heart she would sneak food for the other hungry kids. It was there where she learned to play pond hockey. Her love of the sport was evident as she cheered many of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on from the stands later in life. She was known to cause a little bit of a ruckus when someone messed with her family on the ice. After leaving residential school she went on to work for Mrs. Sowa in McLennan, housekeeping and tending to the vegetable gardens. This is perhaps where she developed her love of gardening which she put on in full display at her home – she loved to sit out by her beautiful flowers.
Yvette lived in Sucker Creek, Alberta where she brought 9 badass kids into this world. Darlene, Ernie, Dennis, Wayne, baby Lawrence, Les, Audrey, Val and Martin. In 1960 she moved her family to Sundre and spent her time cooking and cleaning in the local hotels and restaurants. There were many shoeless trips taken to her favourite restaurant, The Lotus Gardens. She helped raise her grandkids whom she loved so much – they will carry on her love of life and toughness. She enjoyed watching Tiger Woods golf and loved to have Angus, her dog by her side. We will forever remember her making Bannock in the kitchen while singing her favourite songs by the man she called her husband, aka George Jones.
Yvette faced many tough challenges in life but never let any of them get her down. She was as tough as they come. “Tough as whale bone” was a phrase she earned. She was a lady that did not mince words – either you liked her for who she was or you didn’t. She will be remembered for so many things by so many people that she touched in life. She is now home.
Ka-wâpamitonaw âsay mîna (We’ll see each other again.)
Kisâkihitin (We Love You)
