Norman Nelson of Rimbey celebrated his 100th birthday, January 26. A family dinner was held on January 24 with 49 family members including five generations in attendance.
Daughter Geraldine and son-in-law, Jack, five grandchildren, Doug and Tam Mann, Yvonne Mann, Roger and Shawn Mann (from Yellowknife), Blaine and Sasha Pike (from Cochrane), Susie and Roy Harder; 12 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren were also there for the celebration.
A pleasant surprise for Norman was when his brother Merle and sister in law Ella (from Burdett, Alberta) showed up to join the festivities. Several of Norman’s kinfolks from southern Alberta made the trip and their presence helped to make the day complete.
Norman was born at Burdett in 1915. In 1940 he married Esther Rasmussen and they raised two children, Geraldine Pike and Dale (who was killed in 1970).
Norman and Esther moved to Hoadley in 1953 and farmed until 1997. Esther passed away in 2002.
Norman is a gifted pool player, and still enjoys talking about horses and farming.