Anna Helen Alford

  On Monday, April 3, 2023, at the age of 92 years, our loving Mom, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother passed away to be with her Lord and Savior.

Mom’s parents, Mikkel and Marie Rasmussen, and her older brother, John, immigrated from Denmark in 1928. Mom was born September 2, 1930, in Bengough, SK. In 1933, during the depression, they moved to the Swan River Valley due to a terrible drought in Saskatchewan.

On November 27, 1950, Mom married Roy Alford. Together they raised a large family of 4 sons and 4 daughters.

Mom often shared memories of her love for being outdoors, her horse Nellie that she rode to school each day, and her faithful companion, her dog Stubby.

The years flew by very quickly, raising 8 children and maintaining a household without any modern conveniences was no easy task. Can you imagine the gardening, canning, cooking, baking, cleaning, laundry and, of course, cloth diapers? Her quiet, calm manner and unwavering patience prevailed time and time again. Mom was also a great cook, which created a family of “fussy eaters,” who only wanted their Mom’s cooking. At extended family gatherings and potluck dinners, her children only ate what she brought.

Throughout her life, Mom was actively involved in the Trinity Lutheran Church, and she made this a priority for her family. Mom became a foster parent and used her wisdom, experience, and patience to welcome many disabled children into her loving home.

In 2000, Mom and Dad moved into the Westside Lodge where mom lived for 22 years. She enjoyed her life there, doing crafts, building puzzles, and socializing with other residents. Mom’s hobbies of crocheting, knitting, baking, reading, and doing crossword puzzles kept her mind alert and sharp for all her 92 years.

Mom was blessed with a continuous flow of 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Mom kept track of every birthday and anniversary on her yearly calendar, never missing an important date. This calendar was always kept current and checked daily. She enjoyed all celebrations, including Christmas Eve, weddings, birthday parties, and special occasions. There was never a dull moment … always commotion, kids playing, laughter, puzzles, crowding around the kitchen table and a long goodbye at the door!

Mom was a great passenger to take on a “country cruise.” There was no fear of ever getting lost as she knew all the back roads and many of the homesteads along the way. We can thank Dad for this since they enjoyed “touring” the Valley together in their later years.

Mom believed that if you were going to do something, do it right, or not at all. “When I start something, I like to finish it correctly.”

She leaves to cherish her memory:

David (Bev), Dustin (Mary), Jacob

Larry (Lee), Brian; Bradley (Mandy), William, Leo, Brynlee

Diane (Art Peyton), Dennis (Alison), Mary, Anna, Emily; Andrea (Patrick Gulay), Prestin, Spencer

Elaine (Greg Hunt), Leah (Dan Buettner), Maren, Ben; Chris (Leigh), Bailey, Addison, Katie

Doug (Bev), Darren (Alice), Ben; Ryan (Ashley), Kaycee, Harlynn; Trenton (Leah), Nicholas

Jim (Pam), Ryan Robbins (Amanda), Elizabeth, Ryder; Lisa (Murray Becker) Blaire, Casey

Gayleen (Jerry Patzer), Katlyn (Patrick Lumax), Abigail, Westly, Ivy; Cathryn (Karter Marchuk) Myles

Joanne (Rick Betcher), Delaney, Eden, Eli

Mom was predeceased by her husband Roy (2006), grandson Robbie (2009), brothers, John Rasmussen (2013) and infant brother Stanley Rasmussen (1938).

Urn Bearers: (Sons) Dave, Larry, Doug, Jim

The family would especially like to thank the Home Care workers at the Westside Lodge, and the staff at the Swan Valley Lodge for the very good care given to Mom.

If friends so desire, memorial donations in Anna’s memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Box 729 Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0.

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