COLD LAKE - A woman who helped shape the Lakeland region through compassion, leadership, and a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude has been permanently recognized for her decades of service.
Lakeland Credit Union (LCU) officially inducted longtime community leader Eva Urlacher into its Wall of Distinction during a ceremony at the Cold Lake branch on May 28.
The event included a formal unveiling, followed by a community barbecue, celebrating the countless ways Urlacher has built up the region, from grassroots volunteerism to political trailblazing.
“Eva Urlacher has spent a lifetime building up the Lakeland, sometimes quite literally,” said Kurt Richard, board chair of LCU. “She broke new ground when she became the first female councillor for the Improvement District, and eventually she made history again by becoming the first female Reeve for the MD of Bonnyville.”
Urlacher’s work spans decades of service with groups like Hearts for Healthcare, the Cold Lake Agricultural Society, Santa’s Anonymous, the Cold Lake Cruisers, and more. She was also praised for her quiet but powerful approach to leadership and her focus on getting things done, while not seeking credit.
“By celebrating Eva today, we're also celebrating the kind of community we strive to build every day at Lakeland Credit Union,” said John Peters, CEO of LCU. “Through her tireless volunteerism, groundbreaking leadership, and unwavering commitment to others, she reflects the principles and purpose that drives our credit union.”
Peters highlighted that the Wall of Distinction is “not just a collection of names,” but “a lasting tribute to those who have selflessly given of themselves to make our community stronger, more vibrant, and more compassionate.”
Urlacher, clearly moved by the recognition, humbly accepted the honour.
“I am so, so honored to receive this award,” she said. “Two of the inspirations in my life that I’d like to talk about are my husband and my father . . . My hope is always that each of us can be a small part of the change that we want to see in the world.”
As a video tribute played across screens in the branch, Urlacher’s legacy came into full view.
“Eva, your impact reaches far beyond the programs you have led and the positions you have held,” said Richard. “It is in the lives you have touched, in the community you have lifted, and in the legacy that you have built.”
Urlacher’s name will now join others on LCU’s Wall of Distinction.
