Ethel Johanne Reierson

REIERSON, Ethel Johanne (1934-2021)

Ethel was born in the small town of Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, on August 26, 1934, and she went to be with her Lord and Saviour, passing away peacefully in her sleep, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Brentwood Care Faciltiy in NW Calgary.

She will be lovingly missed by her son, Glenn (Maura) of Houston, TX; her grandchildren, Mark (Lois) of Calgary, AB, Brett (Jaclyn) of Kinshasa, DRC, Kevin (Jenn) of Esquimalt, BC, and Matthew of Iowa. She will also be missed by great granchildren, Ethan, Joel, Owen, Katie, Olivia and Levi. In addition, she will be missed by numerous brother and sister in-laws, a daughter-in law, and numerous nieces and nephews, including all their spouses and children. Ethel was predeceased by her father, Karl Lundsgaard (1986); her mother, Agnes Lundsgaard (2003); her sister, Carol (1981); her husband, Orval (1982); and her son, Keith (2004); however, she now joins them in heaven with a grand reunion!

Ethel grew up in rural areas of Southern Alberta, and eventually moving to Calgary, where she graduated from Western Canada High School in 1952. She got her first job as a telephone operator. She later met her husband of 25 years, Orval, and settled into life in Calgary raising two sons, Keith and Glenn. Ethel enjoyed a long working career at the Foothills Hospital (Calgary) working as a Unit Clerk in many of the busiest care units. She later retired from the hospital with over 25 years of service.

Ethel had many life long friendships. When one became friends with Ethel it was permanent. She especially cherished her “extended” families, of which she “adopted” several, and friendships developed from both Christ Lutheran and later First Lutheran Church families in SW Calgary. She was active in those Church bodies where she quietly worked without seeking recognition; supported and simply loved other people with the love of the Lord. She was always known as a person to rely upon, provide a shoulder to cry on, and support you without judgement. Working at hospices and in support groups she “rejoiced with those who rejoiced; mourned with those who mourned.” Romans 12:15 (emphasis added)….Her love for family, friends and even some strangers was really that simple, and she will be greatly missed by all.

Ethel loved to travel, and enjoyed several trips to Europe, the U.S. and overseas. She often recalled how blessed she was to take those trips and cruises, but one of her favorites places to go was the family cabin in Spur Valley, BC (Radium, BC), where she spent many weekends and holidays with family and friends over the years.

The Reierson family would like to thank all the family members for their love and support during this time. Special thanks to the Goosen family, Evelyn, Diana, the Pallesen family, the Ledene family and several other members of the First Lutheran church family who continued to visit and support Ethel in her latter years when her mobility restricted her from going very far from her home.

Ethel’s life was one well lived! A Celebration of her Life will held at a yet to be determined date, at First Lutheran Church in southwest Calgary, and will be available through a video conferencing platform. More details to follow.