Obituary of Phyllis Ear

“Warhpé Rhi Wîyâ”

“Ena”

January 24, 1930 – Mini Thni, Alberta

February 26, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Our beloved Ena Phyllis went home to Creator and into the loving arms of loved ones gone before her on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Phyllis Ear passed away peacefully in Calgary at the age of 92 years.

Ena was born in Mini Thni, Alberta on January 24, 1930. She was raised by Tada Noah and Inchizi Flora on traditional Iyethka territory along the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Ena was a residential school survivor. She was the epitome of a strong, resilient Iyethka wiya; she raised her daughters and son as a single parent, with the help of Inchizi and Tada. We will remember Ena most for her deep faith in our Yethka beliefs and for her strength, quick wit, humour, generosity and fierce love of her family. She loved pow-wows and travelling and had travelled many miles with her family. It was well known that her favourite destination was anywhere in British Columbia. Ena made friends everywhere she went and was close to the staff at Banff Trading Post. We will remember her as a humble and respected knowledge keeper who shared her teachings with her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her legacy will live on. 

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Emily (Rod) Hunter, Wendy Twoyoungmen and Gavin Ear; along with the grandsons she helped raise: Tobie, Cyrus and Chasz. She will also be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Aaron, Ryan, Nadine, Felicia, Jason, Lycrecia, Trudy, Shanda, Anders, Vern, Bevan, Chad, and Sequin; 32 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Desi (Coreen) Rider, Vern (Beverly) Hunter and Mary Jane Twoyoungmen; son-in-law Alvin Young; nieces and nephews, Ann (Tom), Leanna (Terry), Dianne, Roderick, Belinda, Teddy, Nonie, Janice, Candace, Yolande, Lenard, Vern Jr., Francine, Travis, Bo, Jeanine, Nakoda, and Hannah; brother-in-law Randy Twoyoungmen, and sister-in-law Lydia (Larry) Daniels. Ena will also leave to mourn her adopted children, Loren Lewis, Myron Baptiste, Brenda Anne Salter, Antoinette Smalleyes, Marilyn Simeon, and Trina Daniels; along with many family members and extended relatives of the Ear, Twoyoungmen, Rider, Salter, Hunter, Wildman families. Ena was loved by many. 

Ena was predeceased by her parents, Noah and Flora Ear; biological parents, Myrtle Rider and Wallace Ear; husband Fred Salter, daughters, Verda Ear and Madeline Young; aunts, Dorothy Rider, Reba Powderface and Lucy Daniels; siblings, Raymond Ear, Hilda Ear, Mabel Ear, Gilford Ear, Len Hunter, John Hunter, and Sandy Rider; granddaughters, Renita Young and Tricia Nadine; great-grandchildren, Daystar and siblings, and Gabrielle; nephews, Chester Labelle and Hubert Labelle; son-in-law Russell Twoyoungmen, brother-in-law Hanson Twoyoungmen, and many other family members too numerous to name. 

Wake Services will be held at  Phyllis Ear's Log House (Morley, AB) on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Funeral Services will be held at the Bearspaw Youth Centre (Morley, AB) on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Due to Covid-19, the family respectfully requests that attendees of the funeral service please wear a mask and observe social distancing. Graveside Service to follow at Bearspaw Cemetery (Morley, AB).  Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Phyllis Ear, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.