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HOLLAND



It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kenneth Ray Holland of Rimbey, Alberta on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the age of 78 years.


Ken was born at Rocky Mountain House and spent his youth on the family farm, seven miles north and east of Leslieville. He attended the Blueberry Valley School, south of the farm, for his education. Ken worked for a few years helping farmers around the Benalto and Leslieville Districts with farm chores. He also worked a few years as a mobile grain cleaner for one farmer. Ken was then employed for nine years for the Alberta Wheat Pool elevators at Bentley, Wetaskiwin, Breton, and Huxley, buying grain. In the fall of 1974, he moved his family north to Fort McMurray where he first worked at Great Canadian Oil Sands, then for Suncor when they bought out G.C.O.S. Ken was employed there for 21 years as a heavy equipment operator and trainer in the Athabasca Tar Sands. He met and was united in marriage to Vivian Hunter on July 11, 1962 in Bentley, and together they raised two children. Countless weekends were spent enjoying the outdoors; hunting and camping where lots of stories were told around the bonfires, as well as fishing and triking the wilderness around Fort McMurray and other places the family treasured. Ken took pleasure in working in additional various fields over the years: carpentry work, pumping gas at a garage, and even on a seismic crew for a while; but, one of his greatest passions was restoring old John Deere tractors. Ken and Vivian moved to Rimbey in August of 1995, and enjoyed residing here ever since. Ken loved his volunteer work with the Rimbey Historical Society, the Rimbey Fish and Game Association, and at the Senior’s Drop In Centre. Many lasting and special friendships came from all those hard-working years.


Ken will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his beloved wife of 55 years, Vivian; his son, Thomas (Tracy) Holland and cherished grandson, Zachary of Athabasca; and his daughter, Sherry Holland (Donald Wenzak) of Edmonton; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, and many special friends. Ken was predeceased by his father, Thomas in 1963; and his mother, Mary in 1979. All his siblings were born in England and Ken was the only child born in Canada. He is also predeceased by his four older sisters: Mary, Lillian, Elizabeth, and Daisy; and his brother, Thomas.


A Public Memorial Service in Celebration of Ken’s Life was held at the Rimbey United Church, Rimbey on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Deborah Laing officiating. A time of fellowship and refreshments followed. Interment will take place at a later date in the Leslieville Cemetery, Leslieville. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Ken’s Memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Health Services Donations Program, c/o Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyhealthdonations.com); or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net

Service and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Kenneth Ray Holland entrusted to the care of

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