Humble Memnooks celebrate 50 years

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Fifty years ago on a warm winter's day Edith and Paul Memnook were wed. Edith and her husband sat enjoying the Goodfish Lake talent show Feb. 18.

She sat among some of her many grandchildren wearing a woolen tam over her long greying braids while Paul in his Indian tanned mukluks sat with friends just a few chairs away.

"It turned out so nice and warm the kids were playing snowballs," said Edith Memnook. She smiled fondly at memories of her Jan. 14 wedding day.

Paul suggested his wife do the talking as he sat within hearing distance nodding and smiling in agreement and occasionally teasing about some things she said.

The 68-year-old lady and her 77-year-old husband spent the first 16 years of their married life in Saddle Lake where they farmed and raised some of their 22 children before moving

to Goodfish Lake.

They lived in a log house they built and provided themselves with the necessities to survive.

"We had all our own vegetables, meat and eggs and I made new clothes out of old clothes," explained Edith.

Despite having none of today's conveniences, the Memnooks feel they were lucky.

"I never found it difficult even to this day," said Edith with sincerity. "We were so busy working to stay alive, we didn't have time to think we were poor."

All of Memnook children still live at Goodfish, with the exception of one daughter who lives in Calgary.

Edith and Paul are active members of the Goodfish Lake community and have encouraged their children to do the same.

"We try to teach them to be helpful in any way in the community," she said. Occasionally while speaking she reaches out to the small children who stop to see grandma.

Considering the size of the Memnook family, which has grown to include 77 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, it isn't uncommon to see a number of them participating and

organizing at Goodfish Lake events.

In honor of the couple's 50 year commitment to each other, the family held a round dance and banquet Jan. 14 which was attended by 600 guests.