Hern: Mary Jane “Jane”, March 26, 1949-April 27, 2019
Mary Jane “Jane” Hern of Medicine Hat died peacefully April 27, 2019, at the age of 70 years.
Jane leaves to cherish her memory her children Casey (Mandi) Hern and Vandy (Trevor) Bishop; four grandchildren Nicholas May, Austin Hern, Kane Bishop and Diesel Bishop; three brothers Jim (Kay) Campbell, John (Donna) Campbell and Bill (Diane) Campbell; four sisters Tish (Harold) Fieldberg, Cathy Sutherland, Peggy Herman and Judy (Lee) McKenzie; the father of her children, Ben (Kathy) Hern; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jane was predeceased by her parents Donald “Happy” and Mary Campbell; and twin daughters Mary Louise and Helen Christine, in infancy.
Jane was born in Empress March 26, 1949. She attended Cavendish school for grades one and two, riding her horse to and from school. Then, when a new school was built in Bindloss in 1957, she was fortunate to be bussed. She took up to Grade 11 in Bindloss, and then went on to hairdressing school in Medicine Hat in 1967. Jane’s main interests revolved around the weekends when the family would go to gymkhanas, horse races, rodeos, ropings and horseshows.
Jane competed in halter classes, western pleasure, barrel races, pole bending and stake races, in which she won many trophies and ribbons. Then, in 1967, Jane won the Brooks Centennial Rodeo Queen Contest – another highlight of her life.
In 1968, Jane married Ben Hern – a rancher and professional rodeo cowboy. They bought their first place in the Bindloss area and lived there for seven years with no electricity and no running water. They had, “air conditioning when the wind blew and running water when it rained.” They travelled the rodeo circuit for many years. A pick-up truck and camper was their home. In 1975, they moved to a new place, four miles west. “What a mansion!” they thought.
Jane followed the Canadian Cowboys Rodeo Circuit, roping and barrel racing. In addition to this, she had a short modelling career where she modelled clothes at the Calgary Inn and Edmonton Plaza for the Canadian Cowboys Rodeo Conventions.
In 1979, a boy, Casey Lee was born and in 1981, a girl, Vandy Jane. Following the birth of their kids, rodeo life started to fade and ranch life took over. In addition to this, Jane took Self-Health and Horse Chiropractic courses along with Therapeutic Touch and Reiki. Given her love for animals, she used this training to help with animals’ recovery from injuries with a focus on horses. She also attended dressage lessons in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. She barrel raced at Border Country Rodeos along with Vandy while Casey rode steers and later bulls.
Following a divorce from Ben in 1993, Jane continued to stay on the ranch and acquired her own heard of Black Angus cattle. She was a dedicated mother and her whole life centred around her children. She was an amazing woman: thoughtful, kind, caring, generous; but yet determined, passionate and fierce. Even after facing three brain haemorrhages, Jane never complained, maintained an incredible will and never lost her love for her children and animals. She was an amazing mother and grandmother. Mom and grandma, we love you and will never forget you!
The family appreciates the incredible staff at Leisure Way Group Home for loving, caring and pampering Jane received for nearly seven years.
A Celebration of Jane’s Life was held at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Grandstand Banquet Room, May 11, at 1:00 p.m. with Dr. Shane Andrus officiating.
Memorial gifts in Jane’s memory may be made to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200, 119 – 14th Street NW, Calgary, AB T1A 7L5. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Jane Hern.