Myrtle Elizebeth was born May 27, 1918 in Bentinck Township to Henry “Harry” Carl (1884–1968) and Wilhelmine “Maud” (Ries) (1886–1983) Ebenau. She was one of four children; William Emil Ebenau (1911-1998), Laura “Pearl” (1914-1991), Myrtle and Frederick Carl (1920-2013). Myrtle always joked that her sister Pearl started WWI and she herself came along to stop it! Myrtle was baptized at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Chesley on July 11th of that same year by The Rev. H.L. Henkel.
In her teenage years, Myrtle was confirmed at St. Mark’s by The Rev. Harry Baetz. Her classmates were; Irene Stade, Florence Bluhm, Violet Schmidt, Viola Heft, Viola Specht, Lillian Harriet, Bertha Stephan, Marjorie Fisher, Aleda Sachs, Mervin Knapp, Garnet Widmeyer, Harvey Bluhm, Milton Schmidt, Wilfred Janke, Les Schilling, Carl Teschke, George Russell and Gus Westenberg. It was 1934 and St. Mark’s as it now stands was yet to be built. The adults pictured in Myrtle’s confirmation picture were Mr. Williams and Mrs. Ida Ringel.
The Ebenau children were educated at Louise School, S.S.#8, in Bentinck. Once her formal education was completed, Myrtle took a number of short courses and then headed down to Toronto and the Kitchener area serving as housekeeper, babysitter and cook in a number of households. Myrtle’s sister Pearl was already down in Toronto and given that it was the 1930’s she courageously set out. Summers, however, were spent back in Bentinck Township helping out on the farm.
Myrtle had a couple of great stories involving the first woman elected to Parliament, Agnes MacPhail. One story was how she rode with Agnes having been walking alongside the highway and the other story centered on having received a Kodak Brownie camera when she was just 12 years old from Agnes. That camera gave Myrtle many years of enjoyment. Prior to marriage, Myrtle also was involved in Junior Farmers and the Women’s Institute.
Having known Peter Brander Smart since childhood, it wasn’t hard for the two young people to form a deeper interest in one another at dances and other community events. On September 12, 1946, also at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Myrtle and Peter were joined in Holy Matrimony. Their witnesses were Jim Smart, Fred Ebenau, Pearl Ebenau and Harvey Kreutzkamp.
For the first year of marriage, the young couple resided on a farm, 5 miles west of Chesley on the townline. Following that first year they moved into Owen Sound where Peter began work as a shipper for National Grocers. Karen joined them in 1949, Bill in 1952 and Wendy in 1958.
Myrtle had a number of talents, sewing being just one of them. She sewed most of her own clothing, as she did for her children. The girls, in addition, had the best dressed dolls around as Mom also sewed their clothes. Myrtle’s talent with thread didn’t stop at clothing as she was also a great quilter. Even as her health declined, Myrtle never gave up her passion for quilting as she simply turned to tying quilts.
As her children grew, Myrtle supported and nourished her entire family. Of course, she was a fantastic cook and baker. In fact, it has been said that she ruled the kitchen! Her specialties were Lemon Meringue Pie, the Christmas Goose and Easter turkey. Pretty much every birthday celebration featured one of Myrtle’s decorated birthday cakes. An Orange Lemon syrup that Myrtle made and then mixed with water quickly became a family favourite. Even living in the city of Owen Sound did not prevent Myrtle from having a large garden, so a lot of preserving and canning was also done.
Chances are that summer was Myrtle’s favourite season as it was the time to garden and there were always plenty of flowers. Pink flowers no doubt, as Myrtle’s favourite colour was pink. Classical music was a source of enjoyment and serenity for Myrtle and she also appreciated Scottish music. Reading was another great passion, especially Agatha Christie and Dick Francis. Watching TV also helped to pass the time and she really enjoyed British comedy shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Myrtle often said that she was having dinner with Pat (Sajak)! Perhaps she wore her favourite perfume, Elizabeth Arden’s Blue Grass to do so! Drawing, writing and collecting poetry were also favourite pastimes.
To know Myrtle is to know of her love of dogs and horses. Her favourite dog was “Prince” but there was also “Bing,” “Bing 2,” “Ben,” “Bob” and “Snooks.” Most of the dogs were Border Collies and they were always a source of good companionship. The Belgium horses used on the threshing team lived well beyond the need for such and spent the rest of their lives living in the paddock.
Myrtle was a stoic woman with a high pain tolerance. She was unselfish, always doing something for someone else. Yet in her kindness, she was also shy and quiet. She had a unique sense of humour and loved visiting and being visited! Humility would be another descriptive word for Myrtle never blowing her own horn, or so to speak. She often said that she was no one special!
Myrtle’s faith sustained her through all of life’s ups and downs. Once she and Peter moved to Owen Sound, Myrtle attended the United Church and gave much of her time. Her Lutheran roots never waned and she enjoyed watching St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener church services on TV and listening to services broadcasted on the radio.
Myrtle also gained both strength and influence from her mother whom she adored, as well as all of her aunts. Myrtle’s family are thankful for her long life. Though it’s not easy to say goodbye, they know that her strong faith assures her a happy reunion with family, friends, and the many dogs that have been waiting for her.
Myrtle Elizebeth (Ebenau) Smart of Owen Sound, passed away following a brief illness at Georgian Heights Health Care Centre, Owen Sound on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in her 100th year.
Loving mother of Wendy Smart of Owen Sound and Karen Smart and her husband Bob Stanners of Wallenstein. Myrtle will be sadly missed by Bob’s sons Andy and Robbie and his family. She will be fondly remembered by her sister-in-law Evelyn Ebenau of R.R. #1 Chesley as well as nieces and nephews. Myrtle was predeceased by her husband Peter, son William, brothers William and Fred, sister Pearl and her parents Henry and Maud (Ries) Ebenau.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Friday from 7 – 9 p.m. where a funeral service honouring Myrtle’s life will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Owen Sound Animal Shelter or a charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
