March 26, 1927 – March 3, 2019
at the age of 91 years
Else left us on March 3, 2019 at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital, Salmon Arm, just 3 weeks shy of her 92nd birthday.
Born in Denmark, March 26, 1927 to Nicoline and Axel Ranch. Her parents traveled via ship to Canada from Denmark in about 1929, when Else was barely two and her sister Greta was four.
Else was predeceased by her husband Odin, daughter Susan, grandson Marlin, and brother Paul.
She is survived by sons Randy (Nella) and Tim (Deb), daughter Zara, grandson Aaron – grand daughters,Allison, Krystal and Melody. great grand children, Kyle, Dillon and Derek, several young great-great grandchildren, as well as two sisters Greta Wiffin in Florida and Miriam Swift, in Toronto, Ontario, with nieces and nephews around Canada and the USA too.
Else married Odin Lunden at the young age of 19 years, travelling from city of Hamilton, Ontario to the Northern town of Peace River, Alberta. They had met in Hamilton when Odin was just out of the army, having served in WWII.
They lived on his farm in the Peace River area, located down the Weberville Road. There she experienced the many joys and hardships life had to offer people struggling to make a living in the county. A city girl learning to be a farmer’s wife was very difficult for her at first. She had nothing but praise and gratitude for the experienced country farm women who helped her learn and cope with the life. Odin had a standing joke, that the first bread she baked was so hard, they used it as a foundation for the addition to the farm house they built.
She was an exceptionally talented artist, poet, writer, seamstress, musician and singer, as well as a very smart business woman. (Well read and educated in the East) Odin was very proud of her when she could fill in their own farm tax forms, understanding the legal side of things. She also became an exceptionally good cook. Her artistic talents extended to decorating many, many beautiful unique wedding cakes for friends and neighbours over the years.
Else and her husband Odin moved to the Okanagan BC, in 1991 for the warmer climate. Odin passed over in 2002 and Else continued to live in the area, her last two years at the very comfortable modern independent living for seniors, Lakeside Manor, Salmon Arm, BC.
An Ode to Grandma
did some chores…
firewood and lugged it in, enough to fill the kitchen bin…
the organ and began to play: “When You Come to the End of a Perfect Day…”
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. It is always hard to lose a loved one. I remember her as being very pretty. On a couple of occasions I rode our horse to your farm in Weberville to play with Susan and your mother was amazed that I would come by myself. She always had something for me to eat. I went to school with Susan and worked with you at AGT. Would you believe we still refer to your farm as Odin’s place.
I have great memories of Else and Odin. I stayed with them two summers, Otis when I was 16. They lived in Weberville on a farm across from my Aunt Mary and Uncle Trumen. I learned to drive their truck then. (only trailhead down the edge of the field, and back to the house. For more practice, or fun, I would then drive around the house a few times. Else would pack up a great lunch for the hard working men and I would drive it down to them.
I was at her home to help out with the young children. I remember young Penny and Susan very well. I have an autograph book with Else’s picture pasted in it. She signed her name in it. She also wrote, “ Joyce, When you get married and have twins, don’t come to me for safety pins.” The funny thing is I did get married and I did have twins. Else was a beautiful kind lady.
God bless and comfort the family.
Psalm 38:18”The LORD is close to the broken hearted . . . “
From Joyce Blum/ née Furgeson
Our deepest condolences to you ZZ and to all the Lunden family. I remember your Mom from my younger days in Peace River. Your mother was such a strikingly beautiful lady. God Speed Else.
So sorry for your loss. Mom (June Lunden Bowman) always enjoyed sharing Christmas letters with Aunt Else. She is sadly missed.
Dear Mom,
I wanted to say goodbye in person and give you a hug but I hope you can read this where ever you are. I love you Mom XOXO.
Love,
Randy
To Else’s family, our deepest sympathy, Else was a very special lady to our family. Always ready to share her love with kind words, her willingness to listen, her encouragement, and she loved her family and friends. Else ‘s passing will leave a real emptiness in our lives, but we have been so blessed to know her, and she will be deeply missed.