Julia Myrtle Carless of Strathmore, Alberta, beloved wife of the late Edwin John Carless, passed away peacefully on May 19th, 2025, at the age of 86 years with Brent and Clint at her side, holding her hands. 

Julia was born in Carragana, Saskatchewan on August 20th, 1938, to Steve and Mary Kuchmy. She often reminisced about her youth, especially her experiences and knowledge gained from her time on the family farm and high school. Julia was one of ten students that graduated from Carragana High School in 1956. A teacher at heart, she then attended the Saskatoon Normal School (Teacher’s College) and taught for years in rural Saskatchewan and Alberta before beginning a family of her own. 

Julia and Ed resided in Ryley and Linden, Alberta before making their home in Medicine Hat. For Julia, her home and family were incredibly important to her. A well-stocked pantry with homemade cookies, jellies, pickles, and everything imaginable, meant love. For years, she sewed her children’s clothing and Halloween costumes. Knitting and crocheting kept her busy too! Most recently, crocheting birds and other animals. 

Julia was a serious fan of anything sporting, enjoying softball and golfing. Ed and Julia spent summers at Double Dam golfing and visiting with friends and family. She went to the driving range in 2023 for her birthday and was in such good form, other golfers commented on her abilities. If curling, especially women’s, was on TV, she kept the phone call quick. But the sporting seasons melded together, and she enjoyed baseball, hockey, and football too (Go Roughriders!). 

Julia and Ed spent several winters in Victoria, BC, which they fondly looked back upon. They were also known for their driving adventures. There are few roads they had not driven on west of Manitoba. Always prepared for a drive that could easily turn into a four-hour or four-day excursion, included a knife in the glove compartment because “you never know when you need to cut up a kohlrabi.” After Ed’s death on Christmas eve, 2015, Julia kept active with baking and canning, shopping, driving and holidaying with her son, Brent and his partner. 

Julia was a lifelong learner. She read a great deal about everything from history to health to politics. Chats with Julia always included robust conversations about the political topics of the day. She enjoyed supporting federal and provincial elections over the years as a poll worker. 

Mom always said, “she loves all her little children” and proved it by doing everything for them growing up, from creating a girls’ softball league for her daughters, teaching them if something doesn't exist for you, create it. Teaching her boys to enjoy life and live how you want, not just what is expected. Always providing a clean, safe home, as well as homemade breakfast, lunches, dinners, and every kind of fresh baking for the first twenty years of their lives. She was amazing at transforming our houses into homes. Growing up, Mom and Dad planned many family holidays. Some of Mom’s favourite memories were family ski trips to the BC interior and return by Via Rail, houseboat tours of the Great Lakes, and lots of camping.

Julia always had a special bond with her son Brent, (from little) sharing a quick wit, love of food, games, laughter, Halloween and a “do what you want attitude.” She spent most of her time in recent years with Brent and his partner, Clint. Travelling, casinos, dining out, making dinners at home, celebrating holidays, sharing the latest stories of family/friends while playing hundreds of card games! She said that the fun they shared was “indescribable.” Things will sure be different now.

Julia is survived by her four children: Sandra Carless; Steven (Lisa) Carless; Brent Carless (Clint Lawrence); and Nancy Carless (Myron Deis); and four grandchildren: Carlton Klevgaard, Ryan Klevgaard, Delaney Carless, and Shane Carless.

Those who wish to remember Julia with a donation may do so to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (www.heartandstroke.ca).
Cremation has been entrusted to the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium.