Eileen Imogene Throndson
October 6, 1919 – September 6, 2022
We are sad to announce that on September 6, 2022, Eileen Imogene Throndson (Becker) passed away peacefully at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre at the age of 102 years and 11 months, surrounded and supported by her loving family. We mourn her loss but rejoice in the memory of her extraordinary life.
Born October 6, 1919 in Webster, South Dakota to Joe and Nora Becker, she was the 5th of 15 siblings and she moved to the Rimbey area at the age of 5.
She completed a grade 8 education and worked for different families around Rimbey and Winfield. In 1940 she met Lennard while working at a logging camp as a cook. They moved to Camrose and were married in 1942. Their 5 children were all born in Camrose over the next 14 years. They had moves between Camrose and Maywood and Poplar Valley over the years and settled in Poplar Valley in 1957. Lennard passed away in 1960 and Eileen stayed on the farm. Besides growing a huge garden and a multitude of flowers, Eileen became a foster parent in 1967 and cared for 10 children over a period of 20 years, 2 of which remained with her for many years and considered her their Mom. In 2003 she moved to Drayton Valley where she lived independently until after her 100th birthday. She moved to Season’s Retirement Community in January of 2020 and resided there until her passing.
She lived her life with kindness, hard work, and love of practical jokes. Of all her accomplishments, Eileen was proudest of her loving family. She is survived by her son, Brian (Linda); daughters, Norma, Carol (Ken) and Della (Wayne); son-in-law, Gene; foster daughter, Cheryl, 23 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 12 great- great-grandchildren plus 2 more expected babies due in October and February; 4 siblings, Priscilla, Doug (Evelyn), Sharmaine and Yvonne.
Eileen was predeceased by her husband, Lennard; her daughter, Diane; her parents, Joe and Nora; her siblings, Marvin, Nubs, Delores, Lorraine, Buddy, Marceline, Georgie, Dale, Sherman, Cordel; foster daughter, Vicki; one grandson and two great-grandchildren who were born silently.
Many thanks to the staff at Season’s Retirement Community and Drayton Valley Home care for the wonderful care they gave her for the past few years and to the Acute Care staff at Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre for her end-of-life care. A special acknowledgment and heartfelt thank you to Rocky, Cathy, Tabatha, Warren and their children for going above and beyond in providing loving care and assistance since she moved to Drayton Valley.
A Celebration of Eileen’s Life will be held at Buck Lake Community Hall on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name made to Drayton Valley Health Foundation – Palliative Care Campaign, 4550 Madsen Avenue, Drayton Valley, Alberta T7A 1N8 or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to www.affinityfuneralservice.ca
Arrangements in care of Joelle Valliere at:
Affinity Funeral Service
5001 – 45 Avenue, Drayton Valley, Alberta T7A 1L1
780.542.3338
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eileen
Imogene
Throndson 1919 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Drayton Valley, Province: Alberta