Jane Henrietta (Lien) McNutt

Jane Henrietta McNutt (nee: Lien), a resident of High River, AB and formerly of Edmonton and Gull Lake, AB, passed away in High River, AB on 01 Apr 2018 at the age of ninety one years.  Jane was born in Briercrest, SK on 13 Feb 1927, daughter of Henry Oscar Lien and Margaret Kirk Busby.  She and her brother, Harry William Lien were raised on a farm near Spring Valley, SK. 

A bird was singing at the farmhouse window when Jane, also known as Jenny, was born.  The midwife said "This child will be musical", and gifted she was! A child prodigy, at the age of eight Jane was playing her button accordion for dances in the Spring Valley and Moose Jaw area, and in New York City, U.S.A. As a child musician, she performed regularly at Temple Gardens in Moose Jaw, through her friendship with Mrs. Trudy Temple, owner of Temple Gardens.  Remarkably, she never received any musical instruction, playing 'by ear'.  She was educated at Dundalk School District and the Academy of Sion to grade 12.  Despite poor eyesight and the lighting conditions of the times (coal oil), her grades were excellent.  Family participation, essential for survival during the Depression, included milking 5 cows before school each day.  At the cozy farmhouse, visitors enjoyed music and laughter.  Jane, like her father, thrilled guests by entertaining with the violin. Her grandmother, Henrietta Seeds Ferguson, lived with the family adding to an exciting home life.  Jane attending Normal School in Moose Jaw, SK, obtaining a teaching certificate.  She taught in a one-room schoolhouse (grades one through nine) (Kempville School, Municipality of Terrell 101). The students truly enjoyed the music when Jane played her accordion and often asked her to their homes.  After her marriage to John Alexander McNutt, a dashing sailor, Jane gave up her teaching career to devote her attention to her four children and the life of an oilman's wife, which included numerous moves in her early married life.  She continued to play violin, accordion, piano & organ throughout her lifetime with her husband & four children who shared musical talent under her direction.  She gave her last performance on March 9, 2018 at the Seasons Retirement Home. Jane was a devoted wife and mother with a buoyant personality.  She showed perseverance and determination under difficult conditions during her life. She remained an inspiration to those who were fortunate to know her.  We love and miss you already.

Jane is survived by her daughters Heather Lynn DeMeyer (nee: McNutt) and Karen Marlene McNutt; her son Robert John McNutt; three grandchildren, Trevor Allen McGrandle, Terri Lynn Wylie (nee: McGrandle) and James Johnathan McNutt; four great grandchildren - Alayne Marie McGrandle and Lauren Hailey McGrandle; Paige Ashley Wylie and Kodiak Bradley Trevor Wylie.  Jane is pre-deceased by her father, Henry Oscar Lien and mother, Margaret Kirk Busby; brother Harry William Lien and son Kenneth George McNutt.

She will also be missed by son in law Ferdinand Pieter DeMeyer, granddaughter in law, Michelle Marie McGrandle (nee: Brennan), grandson in law, Bradley Taylor Wylie, Chip Barkel, special friend Harold Sonmor, and many other relatives & friends.   Funeral services and celebration of life with family & close friends will be held @ 1:00 PM on Thursday, 05 Apr 2018 @ Wilson's Funeral Chapel in Lacombe, AB.  In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to The Cerebral Palsy Assoc., a charity dear to her heart.

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