Obituary of Hildegarde Lunde
Hildegarde resided in Amisk, Alberta and passed away at the Hardisty Health Centre at the age of 92 years. She was born on the homestead south of Amisk, May 26, 1924, to Nellie and Carl Wallsten. She was the youngest of a blended family of 9 children. Her mother died when she was just 4 years old. She spoke of being lonely and left out of activities enjoyed by her older siblings. She remained with her Dad helping with chores, cooking, and cleaning. This was not an easy childhood, but that certainly did not lessen her mothering ability and probably helped with the trials and tribulations she encountered in later years. She often wondered how they came up with such a “handle” for her but insisted on being called “Hildegarde” and no shortened version! To us, she was mom or grandma.
On November 3, 1945, she married the neighbor’s son, Edwin. They had a double wedding with Edwin’s sister Doris and her new husband Neale Charlton. They started farming just south of where she grew up and raised a family of 5 – Terry, Linda, Eddie, Wendy, and Deanna. She was never afraid of hard work and it showed! She always planted a huge garden, had a large raspberry patch and fruit trees and sold extra fruit to local residents. As well, there were always pigs, chickens to feed and cows to milk – even shipped cream for a number of years.
Hildegarde kept busy canning and cooking – as we all had good appetites! The fresh bread with heavy syrup and cream after school was always a favorite. Cake and cookies had to be hidden so there was enough for lunches the next day. Even with all of this, she always found time to take the kids to different activities or to catch and saddle a horse; learn to ride a bike; practice piano! She enjoyed the life of a homemaker and a mom. Always very proud of all the kid’s accomplishments.
In 1974, they moved to Amisk to “retire”. And it was not a shock to see another large garden patch, along with raspberries, saskatoons, and apple trees along with flower beds galore appear in their yard. Now that she was “retired” there was always time to take holidays, numerous camping and fishing trips. With no children left at home, she really appreciated filling up her days with grandchildren coming to visit.
Hildegarde and Edwin were fortunate enough to remain in their home until December of 2012 when Edwin passed away. After that, she resided in the Hardisty Health Centre where she always said she was treated like royalty. She must have been a handful sometimes though and on one occasion she went missing – but they eventually found her digging up weeds growing outside near her window, at the edge of the building. She always enjoyed a good laugh and never lost her sense of humor even during her failing health. The family is so grateful for the care and kindness she received from all the staff and residents.
Hildegarde leaves to mourn in her passing, daughters Wendy (David) Walhstrom, Deanna Lunde (Kel Tetz), daughter-in-law Margaret (Terry) Lunde, along with seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law Evodia Lund and Leona Berghout, numerous nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
She was pre-deceased by her husband Edwin, children Terry, Linda and Eddie as well as all of her siblings.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 5, 2017, at the Amisk Community Hall. Memorial donations in memory of Hildegarde may be made to the Hardisty Hospital Auxiliary, the Bethany Cemetery or a charity of the donor's choice.
