Harriet Melissa (Winter) Coelen

Harriet Melissa Coelen (nee Winter) was born October 9, 1921, in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan to Harvest and Daisy Winter (nee Adlem). She was the older sibling to William (Bill) Winter who was born in 1924. The Winter family operated a large sheep ranch near Gull Lake. During grades 10 -12 Harriet boarded with her cousin Emily Faulkner in Gull Lake in order to complete her high school education. After high school, Harriet sought her independence through employment in senior homes and hospitals, firstly in Vancouver and later in Red Deer. 

Harriet met her future husband Alfred (Chick) Coelen at the Calgary Stampede in 1951. The couple welcomed their first and only child, Dwayne Arthur in 1952. Harriet and Chic jointly owned and operated Coelen Construction Ltd., which commenced as a trucking and heavy equipment business in Winfield, Edson, Entrance, Brule and Valemont. The company expanded into the sawmill and logging industry in a joint venture with Kakway Logging near Grande Cache, Alberta in 1969. In 1974, Coelen Construction set up their own sawmill and logging operation in the Smokey River Valley (Grande Cache) where they cleared roads and mine sites and salvaged the timber for Smoky River Coal's underground coal mining operations. In 1986 Hattie retired to pursue her passion for gardening on the Brule acerage until 2008, when she moved into the Pine Valley Lodge in Hinton. 

Harriet was an independent and multi-talented person with an enviable work ethic who was born a generation before her time. She tackled and excelled in multiple occupations, tasks and hobbies.  Hattie was employed as a cook, bookkeeper, truck and Brule school bus driver, and Brule postal clerk. She was also a self-taught carpenter who built furniture, toys, sheds, greenhouses, gardens, orchards, and completed her own home renovations. Hattie was a superb cook who prepared many exceptional meals for her guests. She also enjoyed travelling. Her creative side was expressed through her paintings, music (piano and organ) and beautiful flower gardens. Hattie's multiple skill set and artistic talents comprise the legacy she passes on to her descendants.

Everyone who knew her well, including her grandchildren, great grandchildren and acquaintances of all ages called her Hattie as a term of endearment because she treated everyone kindly, and thereby earned a special place in their hearts. Hattie was a quiet, resilient, generous, honest, genuine and sweet person. She loved and spoiled her dogs as much as her family. 

Hattie will be lovingly remembered by her surviving family: son, Dwayne (Beth) Coelen, Kelsi (Trevor), Ellaka, Adley and Wren Wallace; and Leigh (Justin), Kase and Rooke Drake.

Hattie was predeceased by her father Harvest Winter (1942), her mother Daisey Winter (1985), her brother Bill Winter (1992) and her husband Alfred Coelen (2005).

The Coelen family is especially grateful for the exceptional care and compassion she received in the Pine Valley Senior Lodge from both its staff and residents.

 In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Hinton Resident Care Foundation.

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