Obituary of Janet Ellen Bolinger

Janet Ellen Bolinger passed away peacefully on September 15, 2023, at Strathmore Hospital. Janet is survived by her beloved husband Walter Bolinger, son Howard Bolinger (Dr. Jayna Holroyd-Leduc), daughter Nicole Armstrong, and grandchildren Lori and Edan Bolinger and Ty and Jessica Armstrong. She is also survived by her sisters Nancy Berrett (Colin), Judy Barber (Howard), Gwen Bolinger (Robert), and brother Gary Krabsen (Bev).

Janet was born on March 11, 1948 to parents Lowry and Clarissa Krabsen. She was raised on the family farm near Rosebud, Alberta, always helping where needed while learning the value of community and family. She attended primary school in Rosebud and high school in Standard, Alberta.

Janet attended the University of Calgary in the Faculty of Education. Upon graduation, she taught at Gleichen School where she met and married local farmer Walter Bolinger. Walter and Janet moved to Strathmore in 1987, where she continued to enjoy visiting with friends and gardening. She was a devoted member of the Strathmore United Church.

Janet will be remembered fondly for founding and leading the Gleichen and District Community Choir, which performed a wide variety of live music for local community celebrations and funerals over several decades. Perhaps best-known among the choir performances was “We Remember 1939-1945”, a program of WWII music and skits that brought history to life.

Loved by so many for her kindness and generosity, Janet hid her illness of forty years with a smile. Her family would like to thank the late Dr. Wickson, Family Physician Dr. Sader, Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Groves, Hematologists Dr. Daly and Dr. Bryant, and all the staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Center and Strathmore Hospital for their exceptional care.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Strathmore United Church at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janet's honor directly to the Wheatland & Area Hospice Society (http://www.wheatlandhospice.ca) or a charity of your choosing.

To watch the funeral service video, click here.