Doreen Frieda Roth

Doreen Roth was born on December 1, 1938, in Lipton, Saskatchewan to Adolph and Olga Schmidt.  She passed on to heaven on August 11, 2025. As a young child the family moved to Regina, Saskatchewan where she lived until she graduated from High School.  After High School she moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta to live with her older sister Eleanor.  She began working at the Medicine Hat City Hall and became active with the youth group at Memorial Church.  It was through her friends at Memorial Church that she met Emanual (Manny) Roth from Burstall, Saskatchewan.  Doreen and Manny were married on December 12, 1959, and from here she made her way to live on the farm that Manny had purchased just outside of Burstall.  Here she began her farm life.  Doreen was a city girl and knew nothing of this new life.  A favorite story she liked to tell was the first spring when Manny came and said they needed to go pick rocks; to which Doreen replied, “I thought the pioneers did that”.  But Doreen soon learned that the rocks came back every year. 

Doreen knew little about farm life, but she was taken under the wing of dear relatives - Dolly Eslinger, Joyce Roth, and Aunt Hilda Roth who helped her learn and excel and she did excel.  Doreen became well known for her amazing baked goods and homemade meals.   People could stop by at any time and within a few minutes the table would be set with wonderful treats and a hot cup of coffee.   Doreen was Manny’s right-hand man all the years they farmed, and she became a skilled combine operator.  The annual branding was another favorite time of year and Doreen enjoyed preparing all the food for the big day.  Everything set out that day came from Doreen’s kitchen.

Her years in Burstall were full of activity but the Burstall Hope Evangelical Church was her center point.  She taught Sunday School and organized many Christmas pageants. But her greatest gift was singing as part of a trio with Janet and Idella Ehnisz.  These three ladies brought the gift of song to many people and many occasions throughout the Burstall area.    

When the time came to leave the farm and move to Medicine Hat Doreen began to fill her time cooking at Hillcrest Evangelical church with her many friends.  She also enjoyed volunteering at the Gleaners.  Doreen and Manny also began to travel with their friends and they had many adventures. 

Doreen most of all was “mom” to her three daughters.  In the early days she spent many hours sewing dresses for special occasions. Doreen also loved to read and her home was filled with books, this love of reading and books is a very special gift she passed on to her daughters and grandchildren.  

Doreen is preceded in death by her parents Adolph and Olga Schmidt; her sisters, Irene Mills and Ruth Naismith; brother, Ervin Smith.  She is survived by her beloved husband Manny,  daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren: Glenda Giles (Clint) of Cochrane, AB and their children Randi-Lynn Giles (Josh Zhivago), Cole Giles (Rebecca), and Taylor Giles all of Cochrane, AB; Becky Roth (Dave Purcell) of Calgary, AB and their daughter Morgan Roth-Purcell of Calgary, AB; Terry Roth (Michael Eggleton) of Wasilla, AK and sons Roman Hamm and Dmitry Hamm of Anchorage, AK. Sister Eleanor Knodel of Medicine Hat, AB, brothers Rueben Schmidt of Penticton, BC and Kenny Smith of Comox, BC.

There will be a graveside service at Hillside Cemetery Friday, August 15th at 2:00pm. The family will be planning a Celebration of Life at a later date for family and close friends.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers and cards donations be made in Doreen’s name to the Prairie Gleaners Society by sending a cheque to PO Box 656 Medicine Hat, AB T1A 7G6 or via e-transfer to info@prairiegleaners.com.

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