Fonds 543 North Kleskun Ladies Club fonds

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Summary information

Repository: South Peace Regional Archives
Title: North Kleskun Ladies Club fonds
Reference code: 0543
Date: 1948-1999 (date of creation)
Physical description: 34.5 cm textual records

58 photographs

Dates of creation, revision and deletion: Processed by Patricia Greber
Added to new database July 2025 – TD

Administrative history / Biographical sketch

The ladies living in the North Kleskun area came together during World War II to make care packages for the men involved in the war. These gatherings led to the formation of the North Kleskun Ladies Club. The meetings took place in members’ homes or the old Kleskun School house. Although an official start date is unknown, it is thought that the club began in the year 1940. The meetings were social events, but the focus was raising money for charities and hosting local events in the community such as card games, suppers, dances, picnics, bazaars, wedding or baby showers, as well as quilt raffles and Halloween and Christmas parties. The ladies took care of members in the community, ensuring that someone sick received a card or a gift to help cheer them up. If there was a fire they would do all they could to help the family; for example, in 1955 they crafted a quilt for a family who had lost their home to a fire. The ladies helped make uniforms for the local athletic clubs, supported a community snow plow organization, helped pay off the North Kleskun Hall debt, supported the telephone line installation in their area, created a stork fund for Johanna’s Maternity Home in Sexsmith, and as early as 1938 a quilt was raffled with the proceeds donated to the Monkman Pass Highway.

The ladies were involved with the North Kleskun School Reunion that was held in 1987, and in 1990 they hosted their own reunion celebrating the 50th anniversary of their club. A booklet was created for this event which includes details about their activities, photographs, and names of members: Nellie Adair, Tillie Arac, Judy Barnfield, Donna Bastien, Vivian Breen, Stella Brown, Bertha Dedio, Stella Dedio, Anne Gould, Annette Huber, Bernice Huber, Donna Huber, Hazel Huber, Ella Johnson, Phyllis Johnson, Marianne Kilpatrick, Brenda Kirstein, Mary LeGeyt, Jean Love, Effie Luddington, Christina May, Kay McNally, Linda MacNeil, Hazel Morgan, Julia Ostazewski, Cathy Phillips, Jennie Pickering, Pat Pickering, Helena Pronovast, Justine Pronovast, Debra Regan, Sarah Reynolds, Alice Rode, Evelyn Steinke, Marlene Steinke, Martha Steinke, Pearl Steinke, Sandra Steinke, Shirley Steinke, Geraldine Swiscoski, Carol Rode, Evelyn Rode, Mary Rode, Marilyn Rycroft, Lou Semack, Claire Sodergren, Katie Sommerfeld, Betty Sorken, Elva Sorken, Karen Sorken, Anne Steeves, Christine Steeves, Belle Tant, Hazel Wilson, Margaret Wood, and Mabel Vickerson. The 50th Anniversary celebration tea was held at the North Kleskun Community Hall and brought together former and current members. The ladies also created two cook books over the years. The first cook book was so popular that a second one was organized in 1992.

Scope and content

The fonds consists of minute books 1948-1999, financial records 1949-1997, correspondence 1949-1998, cook books (1982 and 1992), records relating to the Kleskun School Reunion 1987, and the Ladies Club Reunion 1990. There are also 58 photographs taken of club members, various events, and quilts made by the club.

Notes

Title notes

  • Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.

Arrangement

There was no discernable original order in the records when they arrived. Order was imposed on them by the archivist based on the content of the records.

Access points

  • Textual record (documentary form)
  • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
  • Organizations (subject)
  • Women (subject)

Table of contents

0543.01, Minutes, 1949-1997

0543.02, Financial Records, 1949-1997

0543.03, Correspondence, 1949-1998

0543.04, Cook Books, 1949-1998

0543.05, Kleskun School Reunion, 1982-1987

0543.06, Ladies Club Reunion, 1950-1993

0543.07, Quilt Raffles, 1993-1996

Series descriptions

Series 0543.01: Minutes

Date: 1949-1997 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of thirteen notebooks that contain the minutes of club meetings. The minutes also contain membership lists, lists of bazaar articles and financial records.

Physical description: 5 cm textual records

Access points:

•                Textual record (documentary form)

Publication status:

Published

Series 0543.02: Financial Records

Date: 1949-1997 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of receipts from 1949-1997, some bank statements from 1974-1987, cheque stubs from 1952-1971 and 1979-1987, cancelled cheques from 1950-1963, a bank book from 1980-1985, and 4 deposit books from 1989-1994.

Physical description: 8 cm textual records

Access points:

•                Textual record (documentary form)

Publication status:

Published

Series 0543.03: Correspondence

Date: 1949-1998 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of cards and letters received by the club.

Physical description: 2.5 cm textual records

Access points:

•                Textual record (documentary form)

Publication status:

Published

Series 0543.04: Cook Books

Date: 1949-1998 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of the original cook book created by the club in 1982 as well as the second cook book created in 1992. There is also information about the printing of the second book.

Physical description: 3 cm textual records

Access points:

•                Textual record (documentary form)

Publication status:

Published

Series 0543.05: Kleskun School Reunion

Date: 1982-1987 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of a photocopy of a poster containing signatures of all the people who attended the reunion in 1987, a purple reunion booklet titled “1919 to 1955 North Kleskun” and “Emmaus Lutheran 1932-1944”, and a guestbook from the 1987 reunion.

Physical description: 1.5 cm textual records

Access points:

•                Textual record (documentary form)

Physical condition:

The guestbook has been quarantined due to mould.

Publication status:

Published

Series 0543.06: Ladies Club Reunion

Date: 1950-1993 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of two booklets created by the North Kleskun Ladies Club, files of material collected to create the booklet, a copy of the speech given by Gail Steinke at the Anniversary Tea, the 50th Anniversary Tea guest book, and 55 photos from 1955-1993.

Physical description: 3.5 cm textual records

55 photographs

Note:

All items with an a in the reference code are accompanied by slips of paper with captions and identifying information. These slips of paper are housed separately, in envelopes at the back of the same folder as the photographs themselves.

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

•                Textual record (documentary form)

Publication status:

Published

File / item list
Reference code Title Dates Physical description
0543.06.01 Item – Ladies in Front of Kleskun Hall  ca. 1950 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm
Scope and content:

Photocopy of a photograph showing 17 members of the North Kleskun Ladies Club. There are also two young girls and the side profile of a man. The women are standing outside of a wooden building.

Conditions governing use:

Low resolution photocopy not suitable for reproduction.

0543.06.02 Item – Kleskun Ladies Quilting  ca. February 1985 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 11 cm
Scope and content:

Three women quilting.

0543.06.03a Item – Kleskun Ladies Quilting  ca. March 1962 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 8 cm
Scope and content:

Four women work together on quilting a blanket. The back of the photograph identifies them as Lorna MacNeil, Martha Steinke, Nan MacNeil, and Tillie Arac.

0543.06.04a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club  ca. 1960 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 8 cm
Scope and content:

Image shows a group of women sitting in someone’s living room. The caption on the back identifies them as Ella Sorken, Martha Steinke, Chris Steeves, Kate Sommerfeld, Carol Rode, and Mabel Sorken.

0543.06.05a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club  ca. 1960 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 8 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women sit together in Mabel Steinke’s living room: Katie Sommerfeld, Ella Sorken, Martha Steinke, Mabel Sorken, Tillie Arac, and Carol Rode.

0543.06.06a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club in the Kitchen  ca. January 1955 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 9 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women working in a kitchen: Tillie Arac, Martha Steinke, Hazel Huber, Jean Love, and Alice Rode.

0543.06.07a Item – Shower for Mary Steeves ca. 1970 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 9 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women at a shower for Marie Steeves. The back of the photograph identifies them as Marie Steeves, Dorothy King, Verna Rode, Brenda Steinke, Kay McNally, Gail Steinke, and Bertha Dedio.

0543.06.08a Item – Mary Steeves’ Shower  ca. 1970 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 9 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women at a shower for Marie Steeves. They are identified as Ethel Longmore, Martha Steinke, Hazel Huber, Effie Rode, Katie Sommerfeld, Alice Rode.

0543.06.09a Item – Outside the Sorken Home  ca. 1950 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8.5 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women pose outside the Sorken home. The women had been busy making baseball uniforms for the local team. Back row: Mrs. Grumbly, Jean Love, Elva Sorken, Phyllis Reynolds, Ella Sorken, and Justine Pronovost. Front row: Mrs. Arneson, Mrs. Tant, Mrs. Pronovost, Sarah Reynolds, Mrs. Ludington, Martha Steinke, Mrs. Sorken, Mrs. Martin, and Tillie Arac. Lorraine Huber in front.

0543.06.10a Item – Outside the Sorken Home  ca. 1950 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women posed outside the Sorken home: Tillie Arac, Martha Steinke, Hazel Huber, Mrs. Pickering, Phyllis Johnson, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Ludington, Bernice Huber, Ann Steinke.

0543.06.11a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club  ca. 1950 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5
Scope and content:

A photocopy of a photograph showing a group of women at Tillie Arac’s for Edna Duncan’s shower. Back row: Lucille Steeves, Margie Stewart, Emma Mae Wilson, Pat Pickering, Phyllis Reynolds, Ella Sorken. Second row: Mrs. Pickering, Martha Steinke, Justine Pronovost, Bernice Huber, Mrs. Steeves. Mrs. Pronovost, Mrs. Sorken, Edna Duncan, Jean Love, Mabel Sorken, Jean Campbell. Front row: Mildred Fraser, Ann Steinke, Mrs. Bozarth, Little Ann Sanborn, Mary Campbell, Dolly Bozarth, Irene Stewart, Betty Bozarth.

Conditions governing use:

Low resolution photocopy not suitable for reproduction.

0543.06.12 Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club Members  ca. 1970 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 9 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women gathered in a wood-paneled room: Carrie Rode, Carol Rode, Mona Deportre, Mabel Vickerson, Ella Johnson.

0543.06.13 Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club Members  ca. 1970 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 9 cm
Scope and content:

Two women and two young girls pose in a wood-paneled room: Colleen Rode, Marie Steeves, Chris Steeves, Wendy Rode.

0543.06.14 Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club Members  ca. 1970 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 9 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women gathered in a kitchen. One of the women is holding a baby, and a man is sitting in the background. From left to right, the women are Lorraine Huber (Green), Phyllis Johnson, Carol Rode (standing), Carol (Steeves) Jacklin (holding Mark).

0543.06.15a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club Quilting Bee  1985 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 11 cm
Scope and content:

Image shows three women working on a quilt at a North Kleskun Community Centre quilting bee: Carol Rode, Edna Grotkowski, and Gail Steinke.

0543.06.16a Item – Quilting Bee  1985 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 11 cm
Scope and content:

Three women at work at a quilting bee at Gail Steinke’s: Marlene Steinke, Gail Steinke, and Carol Rode.

0543.06.17a Item – A Finished Quilt  1985 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 12.5 cm
Scope and content:

Image shows a pink floral quilt made by Carol Rode and Gail Steinke spread on a bed. The quilt was raffled off and a percentage of the proceeds donated to charity.

0543.06.18a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club Quilt  1985 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 12.5 cm
Scope and content:

Image shows Carol Rode and Gail Steinke holding up a pink floral quilt.

0543.06.19a Item – Wall Hanging  1990 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 11 cm
Scope and content:

North Kleskun Ladies Club 50th Anniversary quilted wall hanging. Members quilted and embroidered for the 50th Anniversary Tea June 9, 1990.

0543.06.20a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Playing Hockey  1987 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women playing hockey in a snowy parking lot.

0543.06.21a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Hockey Team  1987 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and content:

A group of women pose for a photograph dressed in hockey gear. Back row: Lynn Dedio, Paula Rycroft, Lorraine Garret, Carol Rode, Alice Rode, clown, monster, Marilyn Rycroft. Front row: Brenda Steinke, Sherri Dedio, Bertha Dedio, Marlene Steinke, Gail Steinke.

0543.06.22a Item – Mabel Vickerson’s Birthday  1991 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Mable Vickerson’s 80th Birthday at North Kleskun Community Centre.

0543.06.23a Item – Untying Knots  ca. 1990 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Marlene Steinke untying knots under the quilt at a quilting bee at Gail Steinke’s.

0543.06.24a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club Members Quilting  ca. 1990 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Quilting bee at Gail Steinke’s: Marlene Steinke, Mary LeGeyt, Judy Barnfield, Donna Huber, Alice, Rode, Linda MacNeil, and Heath Barnfield.

0543.06.25a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club Meeting
Ann Gould
 
January 8, 1992 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

January 8, 1992 meeting of the club at the North Kleskun Community Centre: Carol Rode, Donna Anderson, Sheila Laviolette, Alice Rode (Vice President), Meg Archer, Brenda Kirstein, Gail Steinke, Diane Steinke, Paula Rycroft, Marlene Steinke, Bertha Dedio, Donna Bastien (Secretary-Treasurer), Donna Huber (President).

0543.06.26a Item – Cutting out Squares  January 1992 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Cutting out squares at quilting bee. This quilt will be stored to have on hand to give to families who lose their home to fire. Carol Rode, Donna Anderson, and Gail Steinke.

0543.06.27a Item – Cutting Squares  1992 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Sandy Steinke and Sheila Laviolette cutting out squares for a quilt at the North Kleskun Community Centre.

0543.06.28a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Quilting  1992 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Placing squares to make pattern for quilt top: Gail Steinke, Sandy Steinke, Donna Anderson, Carol Rode, and Sheila Laviolette.

0543.06.29a Item – North Kleskun Ladies Club  1992 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Chelsea Steinke (Sandy’s daughter) and Kim Pealo (Marilyn’s daughter) relaxing at the quilting bee at North Kleskun Community Centre.

0543.06.30a Item – Santa at a Christmas Party  December 15, 1991 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

North Kleskun Community Centre Christmas Party and potluck supper. Brandy Kirstein thanking Santa for coming to the party.

0543.06.31a Item – Christmas Party  December 15, 1991 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Orval Sorken putting in his Christmas order with Santa Claus.

0543.06.32a-34a Item – Christmas Party  December 15, 1991 3 photographs : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Three photographs of the Christmas Party and potluck supper.

0543.06.35a Item – Christmas Party  December 15, 1991 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Donna (Brent Huber) receiving a candy bag from Santa while other children wait their turn. The candy bags were donated by the North Kleskun Community Centre.

0543.06.36a Item – Christmas Party  December 15, 1991 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

A group of children with Santa Clause at the North Kleskun Community Centre Christmas party and potluck supper.

0543.06.37a-40a Item – N.K.L.C. Members Dinner  February 15, 1992 4 photographs : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Four photographs of the North Kleskun Ladies Club annual members dinner.

0543.06.41a-45a Item – Quilting Bee  1992 5 photographs : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Quilting bee at the North Kleskun Community Centre. The quilt was going to be raffled off.

0543.06.46 Item – Quilting Bee  April 1993 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

April 1993 North Kleskun Ladies Club quilting bee: Donna Thorpe-Anderson, Meg Archer, Donna Huber, Marlene Steinke, Donna Bastien, and Carol Rode. The quilt was for the disaster program.

0543.06.47 Item – Quilting Bee  1993 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

April 1993 North Kleskun Ladies Club quilting bee: Donna Bastien, Donna Thorpe-Anderson, Meg Archer, Donna Huber, Carol Rode, and Gail Steinke. The quilt was for the disaster program.

0543.06.48 Item – Quilting Bee  1993 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

April 1993 North Kleskun Ladies Club quilting bee: Donna Thorpe-Anderson, Meg Archer, Donna Huber, Marlene Steinke, Sheila Laviolette, Gail Steinke, and Carol Rode. The quilt was for the disaster program.

0543.06.49 Item – Quilting Bee  1993 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

April 1993 North Kleskun Ladies Club quilting bee: Donna Thorpe-Anderson, Meg Archer, Donna Huber, Marlene Steinke, Sheila Laviolette, Gail Steinke, and Carol Rode. The quilt was for the disaster program.

0543.06.50 Item – North Kleskun School Building  ca. 1980 1 photograph : colour ; 6.5 x 8 cm
Scope and content:

An old school building, probably the North Kleskun School.

0543.06.51 Item – North Kleskun School Building  ca. 1980 1 photograph : colour ; 9 x 11 cm
Scope and content:

The side of the school that shows the sign North Kleskun S.D. 3750

0543.06.52 Item – North Kleskun Community Centre  ca. October 1991 1 photograph : colour ; 8.5 x 13 cm
Scope and content:

People working on the North Kleskun Community Centre.

0543.06.53 Item – Men Working on a Roof  ca. October 1991 1 photograph : colour ; 8.5 x 13 cm
Scope and content:

Three men working on a roof at the North Kleskun Community Centre.

0543.06.54 Item – Three Women with a Quilt  1991 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Three women posing in front of a finished quilt. Two of the women are holding matching pillow shams. Meg Archer is in the center.

0543.06.55 Item – Five Women with Fresh Baking  1991 1 photograph : colour ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and content:

Five women and a baby standing by a table of assorted baked goods, including buns, cakes, and pies.

Series 0543.07: Quilt Raffles

Date: 1993-1996 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of an application for a raffle license, raffle tickets, and 3 photographs of quilts created by the club members for the raffles.

Physical description: 0.5 cm textual records

3 photographs

Access points:

•                Textual record (documentary form)

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Publication status:

Published

File / item list
Reference code Title Dates Physical description
0543.07.01 Item – A Quilt and a Doll  n.d. 1 photograph : colour ; 4 x 6 in.
Scope and content:

A quilt hanging up and a doll with a homemade dress and a sign that reads “Raffle Tickets”.

0543.07.02 Item – A Red and White Quilt  n.d. 1 photograph : colour ; 4 x 6 in.
Scope and content:

A quilt laid out with two women holding up a window covering.

0543.07.03 Item – A Red and White Quilt  n.d. 1 photograph : colour ; 4 x 6 in.
Scope and content:

A quilt laid out with two women holding up a window covering.