Obituary of Irene Margaret SANDEN

SANDEN, Irene Margaret (nee Thorssen) February 9, 1920 – December 25, 2013 Irene passed away peacefully, at Sagewood in Strathmore, at the age of 93 years. She is lovingly remembered and will be sadly missed by her six children, Margaret Sanden (Mitch Wise), Doreen Smith, John (Allison) Sanden, Arthur Sanden (Catherine Hughes), Judy (Bruce) Bryan, Janet (Mardy) Skibsted; fourteen grandchildren who loved her dearly, Laura and Rachel Wise; Christine (Cory) Brassard, Dale Smith, Wendy (Jason) McEwing; Mike (Melanie), Tom (Tiffeny), and Grant (Jill) Sanden, Jane Sanden; David (Sheena), Chad, and Lee Bryan; Brant and Bruce Skibsted; fourteen cherished great grandchildren; brother-in- law, Clifford Sanden of Hussar; sister-in- laws, Ruth Sanden of Airdrie, and Tootie Sanden of Victoria; and numerous very special nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Harvey in 1974, and her son-in-law Harvey Smith in 2008; brother, LeRoy (Gwen) Thorssen; sisters, Frances (Bill) Hallgren, Helen Sanden, and Doris (Dave) Usher; in-laws, Marion and Lloyd Clark, Irving Sanden, Vivian Richie, and Emil Sanden; and cousin, Albert (Joyce) Thorssen. Irene was born and raised on the family farm of her parents, Ellen and Theodore Thorssen, near Namaka. She rode horse back to Elwood School until the family moved to Calgary where she attended Connaught and Western Canada High School. She became a Comptometer Operator working at the Ford Motor Company, Motor Car supplies, and the CPR Ogden Munitions. Irene married Harvey Sanden in 1944, and after the war, in 1946, they settled on the Thorssen Namaka farm raising six children. Mom was very active in the United Church, Namaka UCW, and Crowfoot Community Association. She was a leader in the Crowfoot Pins and Needles Sewing 4-H Club. She was a gifted artist, painting with oils, and creating pottery. She was a wonderful homemaker, gardener, and active volunteer in her church, Meals On Wheels, the Strathmore Hospital Auxiliary and the Strathmore Arts Society. She enjoyed recreational bowling, and loved camping with family in her motor home. Irene travelled the world; to Europe, China, Southeast Asia, Guatemala, throughout the United States, and Canada, with family and good friends. Irene moved to Strathmore in 1978, and always enjoyed “coffee-time” with family and friends. Her greatest joy was her family and her devoted grandchildren. A service to celebrate Irene’s life will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Strathmore United Church at 2:00 p.m. The family invites you to join them for “coffee-time” immediately following the service at the Strathmore Travelodge in the Heritage Banquet Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice. To send condolences, please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca. Send Condolences