01/15/2026
Carolyn Ruth Matlock (nee Wurtz)
July 17, 1947 – January 12, 2026
Carolyn Ruth Matlock was born in St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon on July 17, 1947, to Annie and Jacob J. Wurtz Jr., and was raised on the family dairy farm near Langham. She started her schooling at Neuhoffnung one-room country school and later Walter W. Brown High School in Langham, where she excelled in sports and played on many teams. Carolyn moved to Saskatoon to attend Kelsey Institute (SIAST), where she completed the Certified Nursing Assistant course. She began her nursing career at the old Saskatoon City Hospital, where in 1969 she met a young patient named Bill, who would soon become the love of her life. Carolyn and Bill were married on October 16, 1971. They rented a small house in Outlook, where Carolyn began working at the Outlook Union Hospital. Shortly after, they purchased their first home in Outlook. In late 1976, they moved to Bill’s parents’ farm, where they resided together until her recent health issues. It was also in 1976 that Carolyn stepped away from nursing for twelve years to start a family. In 1988, Carolyn returned to nursing at the Outlook Hospital, later upgrading her education to become an LPN. In 2006, she faced breast cancer with remarkable strength and courage, taking less than a year off work to fight it—and winning! She continued working until her retirement in 2013, taking pride in 25 years of caring for others. Together, she and Bill grew grain and hay, raised cattle, a few milk cows, chickens, and turkeys. She was a fantastic pinch hitter – often jumping in a tractor, grain truck, or combine when needed. She was counted on many times to keep the farm going when Bill was away for meetings. Carolyn had a special place in her heart for the cattle, especially seeing the baby calves around calving season. Together with Bill, they planted a large garden each year, and Carolyn took great pleasure in growing beautiful lilies, gladiolas, and enormous pumpkins that became an annual project and a source of joy. She took great pride in how the farm grew and expanded through years of hard work together with Bill. She truly appreciated working alongside the kids, allowing some of her hard work ethic to rub off on them. Carolyn loved to travel with Bill. Over the years, they were fortunate enough to explore 8 out of 10 Canadian provinces – from Tofino, BC to St John’s, Newfoundland. For more than 30 years, they almost always took a few days in the summer to escape to Great Falls, Montana. Carolyn always looked forward to these trips, especially shopping for clothes for the grandchildren. After harvest, they made many trips to Victoria, sometimes with family and sometimes just the two of them. Despite her love of travel, Carolyn was always happiest at home on the farm. She made sure everyone was well fed and that no one ever left her house hungry. Bags of buns, vegetables, and beef were often placed in the kids’ vehicles when they visited. November was spent doing Christmas baking for the family, and she never forgot a cake for a birthday or an anniversary. She loved hosting the growing family for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. As the family grew and the house became more crowded with grandchildren, she seemed to revel in it more. Carolyn loved visiting with friends and neighbors. Countless cups of coffee were savored when neighbours stopped by, or in town with the “work gals” or the “Carols group.” She enjoyed scrap-booking and creating photo albums, always being amazed at how fast her kids, and later grandkids, seemed to grow up. Long winter evenings were spent either flipping through seed catalogues or working on word searches and jigsaw puzzles. Above all else, Carolyn’s greatest joy was her seven grandchildren. They were the highlight of her life. She loved attending their school concerts and activities and treasured every moment spent with them. Carolyn was diagnosed with brain cancer in July, 2025. She endured many hospital stays and entered Long Term Care in Dinsmore in September. Her care there was top-notch, and the staff were excellent to her and her family, for which they are forever grateful. She passed away peacefully in her sleep, in the early hours of January 12, 2026, with Bill by her side. Carolyn lived a great life. She was surrounded by people she loved and people who loved her. She had a wonderful career helping others. She was at home on the farm, and it was where she wanted to be, allowing her to do the things she was passionate about. Her legacy lives on in her family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Carolyn is survived by her husband of 54 years, William “Bill”, as well as her four children: Lindsay (Chris) Skillingstad and Julia, Darcy (Jerilyn) and Amber, Brooke and Blake, Dean (Sarah) and Henley and Harley, Christopher (Kristin) and Ella. Sister Brenda Leek and her husband Brett Leek, mother-in-law Kathleen Matlock, sister-in-law Donna Wurtz, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marion and Kelly Kayter. As well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob J Wurtz Jr and Annie Wurtz, father-in-law Sam Matlock, brother Douglas, brother Russell, sister Patricia Elliott, and brother-in-law Gerry Elliott.
A Prayer Service was held on Friday, January 23, 2026, and a Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, both at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Outlook, Saskatchewan. Interment followed at Saints Peter and Paul Memorial Catholic Cemetery, Broderick, SK. Donations in Carolyn’s memory may be directed to the Dinsmore Health Centre Foundation. To share memories, view the recorded service, express condolences, or find additional details, please visit outlookfuneralchapel.com.
