Obituary of Alfred "Alfie" Vaagen

Alfred Vaagen, affectionately known as "Alfie" passed away peacefully on April 23, 2013. Alf Vaagen was born to Nicolai (Ole) and Jenny Vaagen, February Feb. 28, 1919 in Shellbrook Hospital. Mrs. Vaagen was taken by my grandfather Helmer Johnson to the hospital on a cold winter day. Alfie was the 5th child in a family of seven. His mother passed when he was 4. Although times were tough he went to Lonesome Pine School 3 miles east and later to Heart of Wheat School ¾ mile west, he had to quit after grade 8, get this, because there were too many students (44) in a 3-mile radius under 14yrs of age. Alf enlisted in the Army but during advanced training was injured and never saw active duty. In the Early 50’s he worked as a longshoreman in Vancouver coming home for the busy seasons to help on the farm. He lost a finger and crippled another in a combine accident in 1955; this attributed to his unique style of sweeping a curling rock but did not hinder him from being competitive. In 1957 he married Irene Berg a widow with four older children and one young son. At the time he took over the family farm at its present location and would be considered very successful in everything he has done and always counted on as a volunteer to get things done no matter what the task. Alf spent many hours and days in the late 60’s to get telephone service for the area, everybody had to be talked to and convinced they needed it, a party-line shared with neighbors. A black dial-phone with about a foot and a half cord, and now phones are cordless and in our pockets. Alf was an original founding member of the Spiritwood Coop and Spiritwood & Shell Lake Credit Union. Alf also served on the Shell Lake Board of Sask Wheat Pool, and was a member of the Shell Lake Lions Original Charter. Alf enjoyed all kinds of dancing and any friendly game of cards or just visiting with friends, neighbors and family. Irene passed away in 1970 leaving an emptiness that is hard to fill. In the years since he had travelled to many parts of the country, continent and world and had seen many amazing things! But farming has always been very dear, freshly tilled soil with rows of a just emerging crop, the scent of a meadow that had just been moved, the bustle of a harvest crew bringing in the crop, the wonderment of a newborn calf struggling to get up while its mother dries it off, maybe even that blanket of freshly fallen snow that has stayed far too long this year. But as we say it takes all day to do what used to do all day, Alf could no longer do, so after a cow knocked him down and broke his neck 8 years ago, he had to leave the farm and move to town. Although he was not happy about moving he did not complain. Alf enjoyed puzzles, playing cards as well as the company of family & friends. Failing health made the move to a care facility at the age of 89 a necessity, but his body was slowly wearing down and has given up at 94. Now, Alf has freedom to be in the great outdoors free of pain with family and friends of a life well lived. Alf leaves to cherish his memory; his children: Ellis (Carol) Vaagen and their children, Derek, Shaun and Brian (Stacey); Helen NcCorchuk and her children Linda (Randy) Keller, Thomas, Ronald and Garth (Holly McLean); Jean Berg, a step daughter-in-law, Cora Berg and children, Alta Haggarty, Brent, Lesley and Lorraine and numerous great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, as well a sister, Ruth Dobrowolski, a brother-in-law, Merle Holtorf, a sister-in-law, Signe Vaagen and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Alf is predeceased by: his loving wife, Irene (nee: Lentz/Berg) in 1970, his parents, Nicolai “Ole” & Jennie (nee: Monson) Vaagen, a stepson, Harvey Berg, a stepdaughter, Joan Schuler (Berg), a stepson-in-law, Thomas NcCorchuk, a great great granddaughter, his brothers, Einner (Helen) and Lyle, his sisters, Minnie (Rueben) Hedstrom, Gertrude (Bob) Atkinson and Olga Holtorf , his brothers-in-law, Leon Dobrowolski, Albin Larson, George Corrin. A Funeral Service was held for Alf on Monday, April 29th, 2013 in the Lions Hall in Shell Lake, Saskatchewan. Memorial Donations in memory of Alf may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Idylwild Lodge Activities. Final Resting Place will be beside his beloved wife in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Ed & Brenda Beaulac of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home was entrusted by the family with arrangements. Ed & Brenda Beaulac were entrusted by the family with arrangements.