Elizabeth Lois Harding (nee Layman) once dreamed of joining the air force. Instead, she built a life centered on family, becoming a devoted wife, mother of five, grandmother of eleven, great-grandmother of seventeen, and great-great-grandmother of one. She wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Her family was her greatest achievement, and they were by her side in her final hours.

Lois faced many health challenges throughout her life with remarkable strength and perseverance. Through illness and injury, she remained resilient and hopeful, meeting each season with quiet determination. She lived independently for many years before moving to Luther Tower just short of her 95th birthday. God called her home peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. She was 97.

Lois was born on September 24, 1928, on a farm south of Melaval, Saskatchewan, before the doctor arrived from Limerick. She grew up as the eldest of five siblings on the family homestead north of Melaval. She recalled travelling by horse and buggy to school and to visit family and friends. Her fondest memories growing up include her Dad taking her to the theatre in Lafleche on Saturday nights, and attending Sunday school in Meleval with Mrs. Schobert as her teacher. Lois attended grades 1 & 2 at One Mile Coulee, before the family moved north of Meleval, where she attended Castlemore Public School and later Melaval High School. There were only four students in her graduating class. Math was her favourite subject, and following graduation, Lois went to Balfour Technical Collegiate in Regina, obtaining a Business Certificate. Her first job was at Caan Merchandise Store in Assiniboia.

Lois met Morris as a young teenager. He proposed with a Bulova watch, and they eloped in 1949 at Rev. Hetherington's house in Lafleche. They began their married life at the Harding homestead until the spring, when they decided to move Morris’ grandad’s house to the same farmyard, and moved it again to Melaval in 1960. Lois and Morris relocated to Moose Jaw in 1974, and Lois later moved to Saskatoon in 1996. Together they had five children, four sons and one daughter. Family meant everything to Lois, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She especially cherished family gatherings, including the annual Layman family picnic with her family, siblings, nieces and nephews all in attendance.

Lois found delight and fulfillment in doing what she loved, sewing. She crafted countless dance costumes, wedding gowns, flower girl, bridesmaid, and graduation dresses. She worked at Sears in the men's department for many years and used her talent as a paid seamstress. She said her sewing machine was her most prized possession and what she missed the most.

Lois was an amazing cook and baker. Her kitchen was a place of comfort for her family, where traditions were passed down and memories made over a cup of coffee. There will never be a bun more famously known as a “Grandma bun”. She continued to cook and bake well into her nineties. She loved gardening, especially in the summer, where she could be found picking raspberries and weeding her vegetables.

Puzzles, crosswords, bingo, curling and the Blue Jays. Tang, potato donuts, cabbage buns and poppycock. Raggedy Ann and Andy, quilts and Christmas stockings. Strong coffee and big waves good-bye.

To the end, she demonstrated courage, and was well known for her ever-positive outlook on life. She was grateful for every visit, every phone call, and every moment spent with family. If love could hold her here a little longer, she’d be here forever.

Lois Harding will be deeply missed, and her story will live on in the hearts of those who loved her most.

Lois is survived by her children: Barry (Debbie), Susan (Dave), Murray (Pam), and Bert; 11 grandchildren: Renee, Lincoln (Liz), Tanya (Doug), Carie, Jaimie (Jake), Jesse (Mandy), Clarke (Kaylee), Dustin, Becky (Ryan), Chantel, and Jaycee (Andrew); 17 great-grandchildren: Emma, Jacob (Cheyenne), Camryn, Griffin, Tylar, Shea, Isabelle, Parker, Rylie, Kaden, Charley, Nash, Lilly, Trudy, Jamieson, Maverick, and Penny; and 1 great-great grandchild: Ashton. She is also survived by her sisters, Mildred, Ruth, and Evelyn, her sister-in-law, Melva, and their families. Lois was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Zola, husband Morris, brother Leroy, son Alan, son-in-law Peter, and daughter-in-law Vickie.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan.

Our family is deeply grateful for the loving staff of Luther Tower, Home Help, Homecare, Palliative Homecare, the nurses at St.Paul's Hospital Palliative Care Unit, Dr. Mark Fenske, Dr. Andrea Johnson, Dr. Trustin Domes, and her longtime family physician, Dr. Reem Abdul Hadi.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with Mrs. Harding's care and arrangements.