Ethel Thressa Osberg (née Andrew) of Okotoks, AB, passed away peacefully at Seasons Retirement Communities, in High River, AB, on July 22, 2021, at 92 years of age.
Predeceased by her loving husband of 51 years, Laurence (who passed on December 11, 2002), her daughter-in-law, Jan Osberg (née McKenzie, who passed on April 28, 2002), her son, Grant (who passed onOctober 22, 2017) and her granddaughter, Paula Osberg (who passed on March 3, 1982).
Ethel is lovingly remembered by her sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Shelley, Don and Rita, and Greg and Debbie; grandchildren, Valerie (Rob), Douglas, Jason (Lynnise), Andrew (Kirsten), Naomi (Josh), Kelly (Lance), Kristy (Brad), and Kimberley (Colby); greatgrandchildren, Jessica (Luke), Stephanie (Jesse), Erick (Becky), McKenzie, Hyrum, Hayley, Kirsten, Landon, Hunter, Jaxon, Karsen, and Hayden; great-great-grandchildren, Lucas, Brielle, and Everleigh; as well as numerous relatives and many dear friends.
Born in Bentley, Alberta, Ethel was the daughter of Frank and Clara Andrew, and was raised in Gilby, Alberta, with siblings Russell, Walter, Cecil, and Bernadine (who passed as an infant).
Ethel was so warm and kind to everyone she met, but also hilarious and full of sass. We will always remember her zest for life and one-liners that made us all laugh. She spent her life caring about others and dedicated more than 35 years volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross to knit and crochet preemie hats and blankets, as well as mittens and toques for older children. Ethel was a devoted mother and grandmother and was known as ‘Grandma’ to many more than just her own grandchildren. She spent many years babysitting neighbourhood children and many of those children kept in touch with Grandma throughout the years. Grandma spent countless hours tending to her large garden and flowerbeds. She made use of everything she grew in the garden and always passed along the extra bounty to family, friends, and neighbours. How we all loved receiving her fresh veggies, or a bouquet of flowers, that she grew with so much love. What she couldn’t pass on, she canned for winter, and what a prize it was to receive a jar of pickles, pickled beets, canned peaches, or the absolute best chokecherry syrup you ever tasted!
Grandma spent much of her free time in the winters sewing and passed along countless quillows to family and friends. We remember how she loved to sew and she made clothes for her boys when they were young (how cute her 4 boys were in matching outfits!) and then also made matching shirts for Laurence, Grant, and others, during their cattle-penning days (even grown adults couldn’t escape her love for matching outfits!). Ethel loved her days of making western jewellery and selling it at local craft markets where her grand daughters would often come along as shop assistants and Grandma always shared her profits. There was also the beanie-baby craze which Grandma (and Grandpa) dove into whole-heartedly, hoping to make millions, but none-the-less, Grandma loved passing along the (hundreds!) of beanie-babies to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and many other children in her life. Grandma loved cooking and hosting the big family dinners at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She made the best pies, angel food cake, pineapple delight, soft ginger snap cookies, buns, and so much more – all in her teeny, tiny kitchen. Grandma gave us so many great memories at the family reunions, where she planned games and activities for all the children, and always had a basket full of prizes and treats to be won. Grandma loved camping with her family, whether at the family reunions, Little Bow, Kananaskis country, or during the 18+ winters that she spent in Arizona with Grandpa.
Ethel will be always loved, never forgotten, and forever missed.
At Ethel’s request, an Open House Celebration of Life will take place on August 28, 2021, from 1 pm – 4 pm, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, 200 Woodgate Road,Okotoks, AB T1S 1L2, 403-938-3111.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made in Ethel’s name to the Canadian Red Cross or a charity of your choice. Ethel Thressa Andrew Date of Birth:December 29, 1928 Place of Birth: Bentley, Alberta To email condolences, please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com Arrangements in Care of Snodgrass Funeral Home Okotoks 403-938-3111.
