Obituary of V. Glenn Sundstrom

March 12, 1928 – Bengough, Saskatchewan

October 15, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Glenn Sundstrom passed away peacefully at the age of 95 years. His son Eric, eldest daughter Gail, and granddaughter Sara were with him in his final hours. Glenn was predeceased by his wife Margaret of 63 years in 2014.

Glenn’s family loved him dearly and supported his steadfast wish to live independently in his own home in his final years. He is survived by his four children, Eric (Nonie), Gail (Veli), Kathi, and Barb (Scott); six grandchildren, Ari (Carmen), Nils (Becky), Lisa (Samantha), Sara, Meika (Graham), and Tori (Evan); and six great-grandchildren, Isaac (Ashley), Kirstin, Maya, Isla, Barrett, and Georgia.

Glenn was born in 1928 in Bengough, Saskatchewan and spent most of his early years in Kennedy. He dreamed of becoming a doctor, but medical schools were giving priority to returning war veterans, so Glenn moved to Kipling to work in the bank. This is where he met Margaret and they married in 1950. An opportunity with Imperial Oil sent them to Regina and this began Glenn’s long and rewarding career in the oil industry. He spoke fondly of living in St John’s, Winnipeg, and Montreal, before settling in Calgary in 1968, where he worked for Pacific Petroleum as General Sales Manager and then Petro-Canada as Group Vice President of the Downstream Division. In 1982, after rising to the position of President of Petro-Canada Products Limited, he retired and started a successful consulting business, Sundstrom Enterprises Ltd, with clients including PanCanadian Petroleum and Turbo where he served as President.

Glenn was proud of the volunteer work he did as Chairman of the Alberta Cancer Board, 1988 XV Olympic Winter Games as Venue Chair for McMahon Stadium, Olympic Oval and Father David Bauer Olympic Arena, Executive Director of the Pastoral Institute (Calgary Counselling Centre), administrative roles at Riverview United Church and Calgary Presbytery, and volunteer advisor at CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization) for projects in China, Thailand, Latvia, and Bolivia. He was a longtime member of the Calgary Petroleum Club and Knights of the Round Table and gave many speeches at their lunchtime meetings.

Glenn was especially interested in history and politics and enjoyed traveling or working in other countries. After Margaret died, he was able to continue traveling with his cousin from Sweden, Gunilla. The family is very grateful for her companionship and support of Glenn these past ten years.

Glenn was a wise and gentle role model to many people. He was always available to listen to concerns and offer guidance or reassurance. He was non-judgmental and sought first to understand before offering up an insightful opinion.

Keeping up with current events, tinkering in his workshop, helping family with projects, working in his garden or home, woodworking projects, these are the things that brought Glenn joy. His final shop project was to restore a 200-year-old Seth Morris clock. He was always very appreciative of regular visits or phone calls from family and, in recent years, was especially grateful to Debbie, Ellen, Carol, and Jackie, for providing delicious casseroles, mixed nuts, fresh baking and interesting conversation!

Please join Glenn’s family at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the DJD Dance Centre (111 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0Z9), to Celebrate Glenn’s Life. We ask you to RSVP via this link for attendance in person or attendance by live stream: https://bit.ly/3Sdbguu.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes in Glenn’s memory may be made directly to the Calgary Counselling Centre, Suite 1000, 105 – 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2G 1A1 Telephone:  (403) 691-5928, https://calgarycounsellingcentre.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/donation.

In living memory of Glenn Sundstrom, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.