May 27, 1932 - October 16, 2021
Laurence Roy Anderson of Rimbey, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the age of 89 years, with his wife by his side.
Laurence was born on May 27, 1932 near Bashaw, Alberta to Gullie Marie Vicktoria Stenerson (nee Sahlin) and Ole Stenerson, and was the eighth child of ten children. Shortly after his mother died in 1936, Laurence was placed in an orphanage and was soon adopted by Daisy Estella Anderson (nee Cornell), a teacher, and Andrew Anderson, a farmer near Calmar, Alberta. It was there that he became a little brother to Ethel Mae Anderson. Andrew Anderson died when Laurence was just nine years old, and the family remained on the farm until Daisy married a former school mate, Noel Clair "Cube" Swanson, and she relocated to the homestead Cube settled in 1911, northeast of Rimbey. Laurence excelled at school with little effort, and was scheduled to attend Grade 10 in Leduc. When Cube died from pulmonary thrombosis, Laurence had to quit school and take over the farming operation at the age of fourteen years. When he was just nineteen years old, Laurence met Rose Mary Hagemann, the teacher at the Crystal Springs School, and after a seven-year courtship (with letter writing - no phones - and with dates few and far between) they were married on August 6, 1958. Over the next two years, the pride of Laurence's life - their two daughters, Debbie and Brenda, were born. He welcomed two sons-in-law to the family, Gordon Gustafson in 1988, and Gerald Borgel in 2000. The family was complete with the precious additions of his granddaughter, Alexandra in 1992, and his grandson, Theron in 1996. Laurence was a kind and loving family man who gave the best hugs! He especially made sure his wife, daughters, and grandchildren had vehicles that would get them safely home.
Laurence always said that farming was good to him. His farming career started with the use of horses for haying, planting, and plowing. In 1969, Laurence and his brother-in-law, Clarence, purchased a "new on the market" square bale stacker, and for many years they did custom stacking far and wide. He also managed up to 300-head of beef cattle at one time. Laurence was still farming this year, using his modern equipment with air-conditioned tractors and large round balers with computer-controlled electronics! Over the years he made modifications to equipment to help in his farming operation, and invented many tools to make his work easier. With the help of the community, Laurence also built the family home. He liked to work with wood, and created many handy dressers, cabinets, shelves, drawers, box kites, and farm buildings. If he saw a problem, he also came up with a solution. Laurence also enjoyed watching many sports; in particular, those in which his grandchildren were participants.
Laurence was seldom seen without his cowboy hat, wranglers, and cowboy boots. He was even asked to pose with several Japanese tourists while on the beach in Hawaii - a picture captured with a "real" cowboy! Laurence enjoyed curling for many years, and just may be the only curler who retrofitted his cowboy boots with permanent slider and grip! He also thoroughly enjoyed his trip to Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden with his sister, Ethel and her husband, Jo Storhaug. They loved seeing the countryside and farm operations in those foreign nations, as well as the experience of driving on the Autobahn.
Laurence served on the Rimbey Agricultural Society Board; for over 20 years as a member of the Rimbey Rodeo Board; and over 50 years on the Blindman Valley Rural Electrification Association (now known as EQUS), receiving the Award of Excellence from the Rural Electrification Association on his retirement from the board.
Laurence leaves behind to mourn, his devoted wife of 63 years, Rose; his daughter, Debbie (Gordon) and their children, Alexandra and Theron; and his daughter, Brenda (Gerald); as well as his sister, Ethel Storhaug. He also leaves behind his birth brother, Ken (Betty) Opertshauser; his birth sister, Eileen (Ed) Trefz; his brothers-in-law, Clarence (Donna) Hagemann, and Walter (Gladys) Hagemann; his sister-in-law, Lorraine (Gordon) McFadden; in addition to many nieces and nephews; great and great-great nieces and nephews; along with many treasured neighbours and friends.
"Forever in our hearts."
With respect for Laurence's wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. If friends desire, memorial tributes in his memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, or to Rimbey Home Care (www.rimbeyhealthdonations.com); the Rimbey FCSS (www.rimbeyfcss.com); the Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca); the Canadian Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.ca); or to the charity of one's choice. Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Laurence Roy Anderson entrusted to the care of