Obituary of Ethel Ileen Dahlen

Ethel Ileene Dahlen (nee Johnson) of Calgary passed away peacefully at home on Friday, February 3, 2006 at the age of 79 years. Ethel was born on September 29, 1926 and grew up in Norquay, Saskatchewan. In her early years, Ethel moved to Saskatoon. She loved working and at different times was employed by Coad’s Drugstore, the optometric office of Dr. Austin Forsythe and the offices of the University of Saskatchewan. She married in 1955. Ethel’s greatest love and joy were her family and her friends at Zion Lutheran Church in Saskatoon. Many a holiday gathering was held at the Dahlen home, and company was always welcome. She was a wonderful hostess. Ethel loved to bake, especially lefsa, rosettes and her legendary apple crisp. Her peanut butter cookies, ginger snaps and birthday cakes were her families favorites. She enjoyed sewing and made beautiful tailored clothing for herself and her family. She also enjoyed music, playing piano and singing in various choirs. Ethel’s children were her top priority. She taught her kids to be independent and supported them in all of their decisions no matter where these would take them. Ethel moved to Calgary in 1997 and was able to be closer to her grandsons. She was a very special grandma and took a lot of interest in her grandsons’ activities. Ethel is lovingly remembered and survived by her son and daughter-in-law Trevor Dahlen and Mary Little of Dallas, TX, and her daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Roley Fawcett and her grandsons, Curtis and Kent all of Calgary; her sister and brother-in-law Ivy and Olaf Rostad of Surrey, BC; and her sisters-in-law, Edythe Johnson of Edmonton, AB, and Florence Johnston of Weyburn, SK as well as many nieces, nephews and their families. Ethel was predeceased by her parents Ida and Albert Johnson, brothers Milton Johnson, Alvin Johnson and Clifford Johnson; and sisters Doris Snodgrass and Helen Gronsdahl. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th St. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Ethel Dahlen, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 Bannister Road S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.