Ilene Victoria Grouda
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ilene Victoria Jensson Grouda Sutherland on September 7, 2021. She was 87 years old. Her husband Donald Sutherland and her son Daniel Grouda were by her side when she passed away.
Ilene was born at home at McInnes Creek near Rainy River, Ontario on November 11, 1933.
Growing up during the Great Depression had it’s hardships, but everyone was in the same situation, so Ilene thought that’s how life was. Growing up on a farm the family always had food. She attended a one room school through grades 1 – 9. When she was a teenager she worked at Red Deer Lodge and Sunset Cove in Nestor Falls.
She married Clifford Grouda on October 29, 1953. He passed away July 3, 1987. She lived in Rainy River until December 1967, when she moved to Keewatin.
She married Donald Walter Sutherland August 9, 2003. She became a resident of Pinecrest Home for the Aged on September 7, 2017.
When she moved to Keewatin she was employed as a janitor for Paramount theatre and later for Century Cinema for 44 years. Ilene also cleaned Anne Gibson’s house, Mrs. St. Croix’s house, Glens Cabins, Legal Clinic, John Brose’s office, Keewatin United Church, Keewatin Town Hall, Charlie and Christine Blackburn’s house, Norcom Cable which became Shaw in the Keewatin Memorial Building and the Keewatin Fire Hall. She also delivered the Globe and Mail to various stores in Kenora.
Ilene enjoyed travelling. She travelled to Norway 3 times to both grandparents homes who immigrated to America in the 1890’s. She and Donny drove to both the East and West Coast, in Canada. In the USA they drove to South Dakota, Yellow Stone Park, Utah, Bryce and Zion Canyon, Glacier Park, 3 times to Las Vegas, and California taking some family with them.
Swimming was a favorite activity often going for a swim in the lake 3 or 4 times a day. All animals were treated well, especially cats.
Ilene loved gardening and canning and preserving her crop, as well as picking and canning wild berries. Many people have enjoyed her delicious baking.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Don, son Walter of Kenora, daughter Darlene (Danny) MacGillis of Toronto, son Daniel (Lori) of Keewatin, her grandchildren CJ, Teddy, Matthew, Leah-Grace and great grandchild Jax, son-in-law Don Olson, and also survived by sister Caroline (Bill) and many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her parents Casper and Clara Jensson, siblings Henry Jensson, Viola Wall, Doris Daignault and her daughter Paulette Grouda.
Special thanks to all the staff at Pinecrest Home for the Aged for the excellent care they gave mom for the past 4 years.
The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm. At McInnes Creek Chapel
with interment to follow in McInnes Creek Cemetery.
If desired, memorial donations may be made in Ilene’s memory by cheque to the McInnes Creek Chapel, c/o Northridge Funeral Home Ltd, Box 89, Emo, ON P0W 1E0.
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Tuesday September 7th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ilene Victoria Grouda Tuesday September 7th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Emo, Province: Ontario