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Sarah Margaret Doreen (Ward) Hollinger was born the eldest of seven children on the family farm at Lemberg, SK, on March 13, 1934, to Lawrence and Ruby (Claridge) Ward. Doreen, as known everyone who knew and loved her, was baptized into the Christian faith at Lemberg United Church on December 6, 1934. Doreen was confirmed in the same church on April 6, 1947.

Doreen attended school in Lemberg until Grade 9 and enjoyed being in many musical productions while attending school. While still living at home, she held jobs as a waitress at the local café and worked as a nanny for a local family.

On October 26, 1951, Doreen married Jacob Walter Hollinger at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lemberg and moved to the farm. She was then confirmed once more on February 22, 1953, at Christ Lutheran Church in Neudorf.

Doreen and Jake worked together on the farm raising chickens, ducks, pigs, cattle, horses, grain and sold cream to the creamery in Melville. Going to get new chicks and ducks was always a great adventure for all of us kids. Trips to Yorkton to get flour, separating cream, planting, weeding and harvesting the huge garden, sewing and mending clothing, hauling grain, baking thousands of buns, bread and goodies, canning and taking care of four busy kids were just a few of the things that kept her busy on the farm. Our favourites were the numerous chocolate cakes, cabbage rolls and jelly she would make for us. Much to her dismay, she often found an empty cake pan in the freezer with a lone knife used to steal goodies as we went outside. You always knew you were in big trouble when she called you by your full name and was holding a wooden spoon.

Doreen also enjoyed curling, bowling, attending as many dances as they could and taking upholstery and ceramic courses. The ceramic egrets did not survive the forbidden sock football games held in the living room unfortunately. As well as all that, she worked as the librarian in Neudorf and was the choir director at Christ Lutheran Church for nearly 40 years, as well as serving on the Neudorf Housing Authority Board.

Doreen was a classically-trained vocalist and sang at numerous weddings and functions. Because she could play the piano, she thought her children should play musical instruments as well. We all can, to some extent, but, unfortunately, we were all more interested in sports, and she finally gave up on us, but we did all have to sing in the choir.

On December 12, 1981, Doreen and Jake moved into Neudorf and remained there until April 2009 when they moved to Legion Manor in Melville. They kept busy tending to the numerous flowers and watching the many activities of their 11 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids. Doreen could always be called on to babysit, and she always made sure the grandkids’ favourite foods and snacks were on hand. Many times she would pick kids up at school who were sick and take care of them until their parents could get home from work.

In spring of 2020, Doreen moved into St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville and enjoyed the musical activities and gardening opportunities available. She absolutely adored the staff there and told us many times she was well taken care of. On June 8, 2024, Doreen passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 90, and we all will miss her greatly.

Doreen was predeceased by her parents, Lawrence and Ruby (Claridge); husband Jacob W. Hollinger; brother Charles Ward; sister Karen Eltom; son-in-law Darryl Schneider; and sister-in-law Patricia Ward. She leaves to mourn: her children, Rodney (Sandy) Hollinger of Saskatoon; Larry (Leanne) Hollinger of Moose Bay; Tim Hollinger of Moose Jaw; Joy Schneider (Rod Hilderman) of Moose Bay; grandchildren Jason (Rachel) Hollinger of Thompson; Joey Hollinger (Holly Bruce) of Saskatoon; Whitney (Jeremy) Scheirer of Grenfell; Justin Hollinger of Neudorf; Shelby (Ben) Bucholz of Perham; Andrew Hollinger of Yorkton; Kristyn (Colton) Koch of Regina; Abbey (Brendon) Weber of Yorkton; Amy (Lucas) Thomas of Churchbridge; Steven (Emily) Schneider of Regina; Holly Schneider (Jon Prudun) of Regina; great-grandchildren Amanda, Sean, Dylan, Jade, Ashton, Carter, Jaida, Aurora, Elyce and Natalie; great-great-grandchild Austin; brothers Larry (Sandra) Ward of Surrey; Grant (Eleanor) Ward of Saskatoon; Tracy Ward of Regina; sister Carol (Brian) Taylor of Chilliwack; brothers-in-law Ernie (Mary) Hollinger of Melfort; Elroy Hollinger of Melville; Ron Eltom of Regina; sisters-in-law Doreen Frederick of Saskatoon; Elaine Hudson of Penticton; Suzanne Ward of Fort Qu’Appelle; as well as many nieces and nephews.