LUNDSTROM
With unending love in our hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce that Agnes Elise H. Lundstrom (née Straarup) of Rimbey, Alberta passed away at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, at the age of 85 years, on Friday, September 22, 2023, after battling several health conditions.
Agnes was born in a farmhouse in the Last West District on September 13, 1938, to Danish immigrants Alfred and Mary Straarup. Shortly after her birth, the family returned to Denmark and remained there until WWII ended. Upon the family’s return to Canada, Agnes started her education at the Rimbey Elementary School and completed her schooling in Rimbey. Following high school, she was employed with Alpha Dairy in Calgary; returning to the Rimbey area to work at the Bluffton Creamery. It was during her years of working at the Bluffton Creamery that she met her lifelong soulmate, Clair Lundstrom, who farmed east of Hoadley. They were married on June 29, 1960.
Agnes threw herself into farm life, working together with Clair and her in-laws to expand their cow/calf and mixed farming operation. In addition to farming, Agnes and her mother-in-law Greta Lundstrom grew a huge garden and preserved hundreds of canned vegetables and fruit every year. She prided herself on preparing meals for her family that were truly derived from “living off the land”. Agnes and Clair were blessed with their daughters, Candis and Tanya, who arrived in 1966 and 1968, respectively. During her time as a new mom, Agnes began partaking in events within the local farming community, especially at the Liberty Hall.
Over the years, she became actively involved with the Liberty Hall Board, the Springdale Ladies Club, and the singing group, the Liberty Belles. Agnes loved the farming community, and she worked hard to contribute what she could to the community’s friendly and generous ways. As their daughters grew up, Agnes and Clair found time to add two more hobbies to their daily routine. During the summer months, they could be found on the “greens” at any one of the local golf courses; and during the winter months, Agnes was on the ice, curling. She became a curling enthusiast, with a competitive nature that helped their team land a position in the curling provincials one year.
In 2004, with the completion of their child-raising years behind them and the arrival of their grandchildren, Agnes and Clair decided to leave the farm and retire to Rimbey. Agnes also loved living in town, as she enjoyed being able to surround herself with people and build a healthy social life. Everyone was always welcome at her kitchen table, as she served coffee and home-baked treats to family and friends several times a day. She also took great pleasure in hosting holiday events and preparing extravagant holiday meals. Agnes always made sure to add both the Danish, as well as the Swedish (Clair’s family) traditions to her holiday baked goodies. She also became the family’s official “hardtack” maker, which is a delicious Swedish oatmeal flat bread that everyone quickly devoured. Agnes loved her family and friends immensely, and leaves behind a lasting legacy of love and kindness. She will be forever remembered and deeply missed.
Agnes is survived by her loving husband and best friend of 63 years, Clair; her daughters Candis (Richard) Edwards of Red Deer; and Tanya Lundstrom of Sylvan Lake; as well as four cherished grandchildren Jessa (Chris) Wilkinson; Kimberley (Dustin) Patapoff; Scott (Danika) Morse; and Carter Taylor; and three precious great-grandchildren Layne, Blake, and Ryder. She is also survived by her brother Kenny (Lucille) Straarup of Calgary; in addition to her close and dear friends, who she called her chosen sisters, Helen West of Edmonton; Helen (Carl) Coers of Rimbey; and Susan Grieshaber-Otto of Hoadley; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives; plus many additional friends. Agnes was predeceased by her parents; her sisters Anna Perry and Ellen McManus; and her brother Thomas.
With respect for Agnes’ wishes, no formal funeral service will be held at this time. If desired, memorial donations in her memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Food Bank, c/o Family and Community Support Services, Box 404, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyfcss.com). Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Agnes Elise H. Lundstrom (née Straarup) entrusted to the care of
