Sophie Mathilda (Meyers) Irlbeck

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A Recording of the Service is available for viewing under 'Service' from May 6 - May 20, 2026.
 

    It is with great sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of Sophie Irlbeck 90 years, of Saskatoon and formerly of Lake Lenore, on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Oliver Lodge, Saskatoon surrounded by her family.

   Sophie Irlbeck was born on September 27th, 1935, to Ludwina (Lang) and Joseph Meyers. She was the second youngest of ten, with four sisters and five older brothers. She grew up on the farm near Middle Lake and went to Merrywood School.

     Sophie met Alvin Irlbeck in 1953 at a Verndale dance. Alvin spotted her across the hall,    and it didn’t take long before their connection grew into a 73 year long partnership. They were married at St. Bernard’s Church in 1955 and just celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary together.

     Together, Sophie and Alvin settled on the Irlbeck farm in Lake Lenore, where Sophie put down roots. Their family grew, welcoming five children into their lives: Sharon, Kathy, Donna, Maureen, and Vaughn. Sophie found joy in life on the farm and fully embraced the fulfillment of both family and farm life. Sophie was deeply involved in her children’s lives driving them to school activities, swimming lessons or field trips. As the children grew, and gained friends, the Irlbeck farm became a gathering place where everyone felt welcome and hung out.

     Sophie was a talented cook and baker. She baked countless batches of buns, many loaves of bread, filled trays with cinnamon buns, and was known to make several batches of cookies all at once. She prepared hearty meals, especially during harvest, tended to a large garden, picked countless berries, and preserved hundreds of jars of fruit, jam, pickles, and sauerkraut. She thrived on being productive, active and providing for others.

     She was always willing to try something new - snowmobiling, riding a motorbike, cross-country skiing, bowling, berry picking, and taking many community courses. She could sew, knit, crochet and loved quilting. She always enjoyed learning new skills.

     Sophie cherished time spent with family and friends. Their home was often the setting for lively gatherings, including steak nights with friends, graduations or Christmas dinners with the family. She and Alvin took the kids on many camping adventures. They also discovered a love of travel, enjoying winter getaways and trips to Germany to visit family.

     Sophie’s passions deepen as her children grew into adulthood. She had a true green thumb for gardening and loved flowers. Sophie enjoyed bird watching and spent countless hours keeping her feeders full. Sophie also enjoyed going for drives with Alvin, taking in the beauty of the fields, spotting wildlife in the distance, and simply appreciating the countryside. Sophie especially loved shopping trips with her daughters in the city. She had a sharp eye for fashion and knew exactly what she was looking for.

     Sophie’s circle of family grew as she welcomed in-laws with warmth and good humour; Dwayne, Perry, Randy, Brett, Lisa and Jeff. As the grandchildren began to arrive; Quinton, Garrett, Trey, Ayshia, Rylan, Grace and Hanna, each were treasured additions to Sophie’s life and filled her days with pride, laughter and purpose. Even as the grandchildren grew up and welcomed their own partners, Taylor, Dakota and Darren, Sophie remained closely connected to each of them. Over the years, holidays, gatherings, and many traditions filled the Irlbeck home. Whether it was around a kitchen table during one of Sophie’s generous meals or over a fresh batch of buns, she made sure everyone was included, cared for, and well fed.

     In 2003, Sophie and Alvin retired to Humboldt, where she embraced town life. She loved her time volunteering at Edelweiss florists and the Good Neighbour Store. She developed so many new friendships, spent time with her siblings, met friends for coffee, played cards and enjoyed town life.

     In 2023, Sophie and Alvin moved to Saskatoon to be closer to their children. There, Sophie continued to care for her family the best way she knew - by cooking, baking, canning and spending time with family. Family gatherings remained strong, and those connections only deepened.

     Sophie was blessed to have three great grandchildren; Emmett and Atticus, and just weeks before her passing she got to meet the latest member of the family, baby Dane. 

     Sophie lived a productive, fulfilling and active life. When faced with health challenges only recently, Sophie endured with strength, perseverance, and grace. Her family remained steadfast by her side throughout that journey - just as she had always done for them.

     Now we are reminded of the life Sophie built, one made with love, patience, hard work, and generosity. She fed not only our bodies, but our hearts, and she did it so effortlessly. Every bun she baked was a small reflection of who she was - warm, comforting, nurturing and meant to be shared. And so, as we go forward, we carry her recipe for life with us.                              

     May we continue to gather, to care for one another, and to always make a little extra - just like Sophie did.

    Sophie’s nurture and generosity will be profoundly missed and fondly remembered by her husband, five children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Alvin Irlbeck – husband of 70 years

Sharon Irlbeck-Bakke & Jeff Fedosoff, (and the late Dwayne Bakke)

Kathy & Perry Haeusler

Donna & Randy Haeusler and children; Quinton & Taylor Haeusler, Emmett & Atticus; Garrett Haeusler & Dakota Meena; Dane

Maureen & Brett Vandale and children; Trey Vandale, Ayshia Vandale and Rylan Vandale

Vaughn & Lisa Irlbeck and children; Grace Irlbeck, Hanna & Darren Romanuik

       Sophie will be loving remembered by her sister Pauline & George Doell of Winnipeg, MB and her brother Henry Meyers of Saskatoon and numerous nieces and nephews.

     Sophie was predeceased by her parents Ludwina (Lang) & Joseph Meyers; brothers George & Virginia Meyers, Jacob & Twyla Meyers, Henry’s wife Hedy Meyers, Lawrence & Marie Meyers, James & Catherine Meyers; sisters Rose & Herman Dobmeier, Catherine & Martin Dobmeier, Laura & Wilfred Dunne and relatives of the Irlbeck family.

        A Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, Lake Lenore, celebrated by Fr. John Abban – Bonsu.  Interment followed in the St. Anthony’s R.C. Cemetery Lake Lenore.  Memorial donations in Sophie’s memory may be directed to St. Anthony’s R.C. Cemetery or Breast Cancer Society of Canada. 

What Mom Took

Most often when we think of Mom  

We think of what she’s given:

The softness of a loving touch,

A gentle guide for living,

A nightly tip-toe in a room,

An understanding look.

But sometimes when I think of Mom

I think of what she took.

She took a Child and taught it how

To live this life with pride.

She took those kindergarten tears

And kept them all inside.

She took the hands that longed to hold

Her child and not let go

Used them to push her child along

The way, to thrive and grow.

Took time to do some other things

Like sew and clean and cook.

And never thought to ask for thanks

For all the things she took.

Thanks, Mom.

- Judith Bond