Obituary for
Mathilde “Tillie” Kram
On November 30, 2021, Tillie, our dear Mom and Grandmom, left this life to be reunited with her beloved husband Frank. She was 100 years old and had lived a good, long life. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side and her favourite song playing.
Tillie was born on a farm near Quinton, Saskatchewan, the eldest of five children. She attended teachers’ college and taught in one-room schools until she married Frank just after WWII. Frank soon reenlisted in the RCAF, and Tillie embarked on life as a military wife, which she loved. She enjoyed living on airforce bases, and happily participated in singing in the church choir, doing projects with the Catholic ladies’ guild, and attending dances and other social activities. She was an excellent curler, playing in both the mixed and ladies’ leagues, with bonspiels on the weekends. She was a substitute teacher in the airbase schools and also taught students with disabilities in the late 50s and early 60s.
Retirement brought them to Edmonton, to live a very different life. They loved travelling around Canada and the northern US in their truck and camper, making many new friends along the way. Tillie continued singing in the church choir and loved shopping, visiting her friends, and spending time with her family. She was an excellent cook, baker, and gardener and loved to share the results of all these endeavours with her family and her neighbours. Every year before December 25, all her neighbours would receive a plate of her wonderful Christmas baking.
In 1989, she surprised us all by announcing that she was going on a tour of south-east Asia, her first trip outside of North America. She had a wonderful time and looked back on the trip with great pleasure in her later years.
Tillie was a joy and delight to her grandchildren, Holly and Robin, and spent much time with them in their early years, inspiring in them a love of reading, music, and lively political debate. They spent many happy times baking, gardening, and going on outings with “Ba” as they called her.
Tillie will be dearly missed by her daughter Sandy, her (favourite) son-in-law Arne, her granddaughter Holly, grandson Robin, niece Tracy and nephew Jay, as well as many friends and extended family members. Gone before her are her husband Frank, sister Josie, and brothers George, Laurie, and Mitchell, as well as her mom and dad.
Special thanks to the staff of Jasper Place Continuing Care in Edmonton, who cared for Mom with such love, kindness, and grace and, during covid times, were family to her when we could not be with her: HCAs Belinda and Salome, allied health staff Lisette, Tara, and the wonderful Debi, RN Videlyn and Dr Sereda, as well as the many others who looked after Mom during her time as a resident there.
Special thanks also to her neighbours on 95 Avenue, whose friendship and support helped her to live in her own home until she was 98, and to those friends and family who have sent their condolences. We are comforted by your thoughts and good wishes.
Funeral Mass Wednesday, December 8 at 10:30 am at Annunciation Catholic Church, 9420 – 163 street, Edmonton. Father Francis Mariappa SAC officiating with interment to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery on Mark Messier Trail.
Those who wish to make a memorial donation in her honour are invited to make a donation to their local public library, or the charity of their choice.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mathilde
Tillie
Kram 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta