Edna Louise Engebretson

Edna Louise Engebretson passed away at Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre (Sunnyside) in Saskatoon on Friday, April 5^th, 2024 with nieces Donna and Roberta by her side.

Edna was born on April 22^nd, 1933.  She was the third of seven children born to parents Lars and Louise Engebretson of Rose Valley.  As a young girl, she was raised on the family farm.  Later, as a teenager and young adult, she lived in the town of Rose Valley with her parents and siblings.  While living in Rose Valley, she was very involved with the Zion Lutheran Church and was even the Sunday School Superintendent.  She had a lifelong unwavering faith and a total reliance on God.   At this time, she was also involved in the care of her youngest brother, Sidney, who was born with Down Syndrome.   From the time of his birth in 1944, when she was only 11 years of age, she exhibited a profound love and devotion for him which was immeasurable.

Edna lived in Rose Valley until the early 1960s when she moved to Saskatoon where her two older sisters and their families lived.  Edna initially found employment as an Elevator Operator and, while in this position, she made a lifelong friend in Delores.  It wasn’t long before her faith intervened and she accepted a position with the Canadian Bible Society.  She was employed there until the mid-1980s when her life took an abrupt turn.  She completed her working career at Western Grocers where she widened her circle of friends.

Edna maintained a strong connection with her relatives in Norway.   She made five trips to Norway where she was able to use her first language of Norwegian in fine fashion.   She preferred to converse in Norwegian with her Norwegian relatives even if they could speak English.  She kept in touch with many cousins in Norway throughout her life with visits, cards and telephone calls.  Edna paved the way for her Canadian family to sustain these connections.

Edna’s Mother passed away in 1988 (her Father had already passed in 1977) and, at this time, she assumed the role of Guardian for her brother Sidney.   Sidney became a Resident at Sunnyside in 1989 while Edna continued to work.  She even moved to an apartment next door to Sunnyside so she could be close to her brother and still give hands-on care herself.  When she retired from Western Grocers, she spent many hours a day with Sidney at Sunnyside.  Edna, and her sister Josie, would take Sidney out to different shopping malls for breakfast every morning (except Sunday when they went to A&W).  This enduring dedication continued until Sidney’s passing in 2007.   Edna made two lifelong friends with two ladies (Lydia and Lou) who also had family members in Sunnyside.  As Edna was so well known at Sunnyside with her Father, Mother and brother Sidney all having resided there, It was not surprising when she began volunteering there after Sidney’s passing.  She volunteered for many years and she eventually became a Resident there herself in 2020 (along with her sister Josie).

Edna had a heart of gold.  She was always there for others in their time of need, never asking for anything in return.   If you were hospitalized, you could be sure to expect a visit from her.  Many of the tenants in the last apartment building she lived in prior to Sunnyside expressed to Donna and Roberta how much they would miss her and what a wonderful person she was.

Edna was predeceased by her parents Lars and Louise Engebretson; brothers – Lester and Sidney Engebretson; sisters – Wilma Wickstrom, Josie Baldry and Ivy Pengelly; great nephew – Baby J. D. Sneddon.  She is survived by her sister Mary Colin and her sister-in-law Alois Engebretson as well as 13 nephews and nieces and their families.

Edna was very close to her sister Josie and niece Roberta Dobson (Glen).   Edna had a special bond with Lester and Alois and their family and felt as if their children were like her own.   These include:  niece Donna Engebretson (Frank Sneddon) and children – Glory (Dave), Reid and Ciara and grandchildren – Christian (Hope) and Ethan; niece Lisa Engebretson and children – Shantel (Jason), Caitlyn (Mitchell) and Nathan (Amber and her daughter Jordyn) and grandchildren – Treyton, Jordan, Savannah, Austin and Sawyer.  Edna spent many hours with the children by taking them to church, special events and helping her with volunteering.  She instilled in them the selflessness of giving back, the art of forgiveness as her faith had taught her and the importance of maintaining family history.  

The family wishes to thank the Staff at Sunnyside for not only their care and compassion while Edna resided there over the past four years but also for the many years of friendship and support dating back to 1976 when our first family member (Lars Engebretson) resided there.  Sunnyside is truly a part of the Engebretson family history.  We therefore request, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre (2200 St. Henry Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7M 0P5) or the charity of your choice.

A Graveside Service will be held at the Rose Valley Cemetery on Saturday, April 13^th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Tompkins Funeral Home in Wadena, Saskatchewan for their compassion and expertise in handling the arrangements during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in Edna’s name can be sent to: 

Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre

 2200 St. Henry Ave, Saskatoon, SKS7M 0P5

 or the charity of your choice.