Obituary of Anna Clara Engdahl

 

1927 – 2021

 

In the peace and comfort of her home, with loving family around her, Anna Clara Engdahl left us to rejoin her beloved Harold once again.

 

Anna was born in Poland, just outside of Krakow on April 6, 1927, to Vincent & Victoria Bielka. They moved to Lintlaw,  Saskatchewan when she was 1 year of age.  Her humble beginnings taught her to work hard and thrive.  She would later meet the love of her life and forever mate, Harold.  She was a pioneer woman of faith, a good wife and mother extraordinaire. Her great spirit and creative ability gave her the capacity to meet all challenges.  In 1956, with 5 children in tow, they moved to Wilmer, Invermere and then Windermere where she lived until her last days.  Three more children were added to the family, making a total of 8, yet she still had time to welcome anyone into her home.  No one was ever turned away and hardly anyone left her home empty handed, be it fresh buns, baking or another home-made item.

 

She seemed to be born with many God-given talents. Well known for baking bread and the best cinnamon buns, she also sewed countless wedding and graduation dresses (most without using a pattern).  She lovingly became known as “Granny Annie”.  In between raising her family, she somehow found time to volunteer.  She was an active and honorary member of both the Windermere and Invermere Hospital Auxiliaries (for 63 years), and actively involved with the Windermere Community Association and the Catholic Women’s Auxiliary.  At the age of 75, she learned to bowl, joined a Senior’s League and even won a trophy for Ladies High Single at the age of 90. 

 

Anna also worked outside the home, in various roles, which included drapery alterations at Fairmont Hot Springs and 13 years at Lambert Kipp Pharmacy.  She had a keen sense of fashion and loved to dress up – everything had to match and her hair was perfectly coiffed.  She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, baking, gardening, doing puzzles of all kinds and loved ladybugs.  Her hands were never idle.   

 

Right up to her last day on earth, she always thought of everyone else first.  Her kindness and generosity made her a “special” lady to everyone who knew her.  Her children always refer to her as “amazing”.  She will be dearly missed by all.

 

Anna is survived by her children Angie Smith (Al), Carol (John) Willox, Rose (Perry) Seymour, Dorothy Horvath, Rob Engdahl (Linda), Rick Engdahl, Gloria MacLean (Rick) and Floyd Engdahl (Shelly), her brother Frank Bielka, sister Victoria Gordon, 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

 

She was predeceased by her parents, Vincent & Victoria, her husband Harold, 4 sisters, 2 brothers and one son-in-law.

 

A Funeral Mass for Anna will take place Wednesday, July 7^th, 2021, at 10:00 am at Canadian Martyrs Church in Invermere. If you are not able to attend the service, due to limited restrictions in place, you can be part of the service by watching it online.  Please go to www.mcphersonfh.com and click on Live Services just before 10:00 am on Wednesday. A reception for will take place between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Al and Angie’s home (outside), 969 Timbermont Rd (in Timber Ridge III).  Food and refreshments will be served.  Anyone is welcome to attend.  Covid guidelines will be in place.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Invermere Hospital Auxiliary.