Obituary of Edith Irene Anderson

Edith "Irene" Anderson
1927-2024

Edith "Irene" Anderson passed away peacefully with family by her side on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in Saskatoon, SK at the age of 97 years. 

Irene is lovingly survived by her four children, her nine grandchildren and her six great grandchildren:

• Les (Niena Kell) Anderson, daughter in law Glenda Jans, and their children:  son Douglas, daughter Lynette (Tyson) Parchoma and their children Emmett & Henley, and son Travis (Jessica McGhee)
• Noreen Anderson and her children, son Robert (Natasha) Peterson and their children Rowan & Houston, and son Thomas (Karla Morales) Peterson and son in law Kerry Peterson. 
• Audrey (Randy) Jones and their children Kristopher (Julie Jackson), and Kirsten (Aaron) Allen and their children Oliver & Adelaide
• Alton (Lori) Anderson and their children Kyle (Altn Bekirova) & Janeen (Kyle Robinson) Anderson

Her sister, Evelyn Batty; her sister-in-law, Agnes Brown; her special niece-in-law, Ruth Prosser; as well as numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and many friends

Irene was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Milton Anderson in 2008; her parents, Swan & Florence Johnson; her parents-in-law, Ingeborg & Magnus Anderson; her sisters and brother, May (Walter) Grimm, Melvin Johnson, Bella (Stanley) Barber; her sister & brothers-in-law, Alvin (Brenda) Anderson, Camilla (Desmond) Prosser, Helen (Marvin) Tang, Ellen (John) Reithaug, Andrew Anderson, Ole (Bernice) Anderson, Alice (Russell) Coates, Mary (George) Agrey, Marvin Brown, and Jack Batty.

Irene was raised in the Paddling Lake district, south of Shell Lake, SK where she attended Heart of Wheat School. While growing up, together with her brother and sisters, Irene enjoyed swimming, skating, hockey and she especially excelled at ski jumping. 

At the age of 17, after taking a short training course, she started teaching, while taking her Grade 12 by correspondence.  She attended Normal School for further training and continued teaching in numerous schools throughout her career – later taking university classes to attain her Bachelor of Education degree. Irene was a very dedicated teacher with a high standard of excellence.  She completed 38 years of full-time teaching, starting out in one-room schools and finishing her career as a Special Education Teacher.

Together, Milton and Irene purchased the farm and enjoyed raising their four children in the Parkside community.  Irene had a very strong work effort and boundless energy.  She managed to combine her busy schedule with a number of hobbies including knitting, pottery, cake decorating and quilting.  She also enjoyed sewing, canning and gardening.

Upon retirement, Milton and Irene purchased a new motorhome and spent time travelling, and also enjoyed camping with their children and grandchildren. In later years they moved to Saskatoon to live in the LutherCare Community. 

Mom was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She always had a wonderful smile and a hot cup of strong coffee for all of the family and friends who came to visit as well as a serving of Kavli and gjetost or lefse at Christmastime.

Mom's love of singing and music continued into her retirement years. She particularly enjoyed all of the hymn singing when she was a resident at the Luther Tower Intermediate Care Home.

A celebration of life was held Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Parkside.

Her memory will be cherished by her children, grandchildren and all of those who knew and loved Irene.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Irene to either the Parkside Immanuel Lutheran Church, or LutherCare Communities, or Saskatoon Convalescent Home, or LuMinHos (Lutheran Ministry in Hospitals of Saskatoon).

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK 306-747-2828.