MERELYN ANN HARTY (nee Vornbrock), formerly of Milk River, beloved wife of the late Marcus “Mark” Harty, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at the age of 91 years.

Merelyn was born on June 2, 1934 in Lethbridge, AB. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Christian and Alma Vornbrock. She was raised on the family farm in the Allerston area and attended Masinasin School. After she left school, she helped on the family farm and worked part-time in the hair salon that was above the movie theatre in Milk River. She married Mark Harty on Oct 17, 1957. They lived in Milk River for about 10 years where Mark worked as a carpenter. They had 4 children: Wayne in 1958, Randy in 1960, Gail in 1961, and Darryl in 1963. They moved to her uncle Clem Thielen’s farm in Allerston in 1967, eventually purchasing the farm and living there for the next 55 years.

Merelyn loved life on the farm. She always had a big garden and loved cooking, canning, baking, and sewing. She became an active member of the Allerston community; teaching catechism and helping with church functions, especially the annual fall supper for which she led the sauerkraut-making effort. Merelyn was a life member of the CWL. Her greatest love was her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her so much joy and she loved to host big family dinners. She and Mark enjoyed traveling and spent several years as snowbirds in Arizona.

In 2022, Mark and Merelyn moved into the Prairie Rose Lodge in Milk River and in 2023, they moved into St. Therese Villa in Lethbridge.

Merelyn is survived by her four children: Wayne (Brenda) Harty of Milk River, Randy (Cathy) Harty of Coutts, Gail (Dan) Howitt of Calgary and Darryl Harty (Cy Lintner) of Calgary; 9 Grandchildren: Adam (Christal) Harty, Breanne (Kyle) Carson, Shane (Laura) Harty, James Harty, Kevin (Kathleen) Harty, Keith Harty, Craig (Kelsey) Harty, Matthew Howitt, Michael Howitt, and 7 great-grandchildren: Cruise and Daisy Carson, Weston and Hayes Harty, Quinn and Raelynn Harty, and Walker Harty. She is also survived by her brother Norman Vornbrock, sister-in-law Marion Halvorson, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Conrad and Phyllis Harty, and Peter and Lynn Harty, and sister-in law Ann Harty, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Merelyn was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Mark Harty, her parents Christian and Alma Vornbrock, brother and sister-in-law Nobert and Judy Vornbrock, sister-in-law Joyce Vornbrock, sister and brother-in-law Gertrude and Ken Galts, and brother and sister-in-law Richard and Wilma Vornbrock, her in-laws Ferdinand and Anna Mary Harty and Katherine Harty, sister-in-law and brother-in law Clara and Herb Garber, brothers-in-law Ralph Harty and Vincent Harty, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Magdalena and Manny Lehr, brother-in-law Harold Halvorson, and sister-in-law Dorothy Head.

A Prayer Vigil will be held at ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 Main Street NW, Milk River, AB on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Jim Manzara officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 Main Street NW, Milk River, AB, on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with Father
Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. celebrating. Luncheon to follow at the Milk River Civic Centre at 321 – 3 Ave. NE Milk River, AB.

Merelyn will be laid to rest in a family service at Allerston.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Merelyn’s name to the charity of your choice.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2025-11-25
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta