ANDERSEN
Andrew Svend
July 8, 1919 - March 9, 2017
Svend, the youngest of five children born to Anders and Magna Andersen, was born on July 8, 1919 in Bingville Alberta. His father passed away in Medicine Hat that winter leaving his mother to move their 5 children to the Danish Colony of Dalum on her own, where she established a homestead on the land that she and Anders had recently purchased. Those early years were a difficult time for the Andersen family, but they managed to survive the harsh winters and formidable obstacles involved, slowly establishing a viable farming operation in the Dalum community through much hard work and perseverance. As Svend matured he developed a natural feel for agriculture and, as his siblings moved away from home to pursue their lives in their chosen fields of endeavor, the supervision and management of the farm became his responsibility. Having worked the land from a very young age, he was extremely well qualified and he continued to build it into the large and prosperous business that it eventually became. Svend was conscripted in the early 40’s during WWII and commenced training in the army to serve his country. During one of his lengthy training stints in Ontario, he met and later married his bride of 70 years, Marie Saugstad, who preceded him in death in 2013. Svend was posted overseas in early 1945 and was in London, England preparing to ship to Europe when the war ended. He returned to Canada in early 1946, shortly after the birth of his first son, Dale. Svend and Marie spent many wonderful years together on the farm in Dalum and were active in numerous community organizations and activities over the nearly 40 years they actively farmed together. Besides managing and working the farm, Svend served on a number of committees responsible for bringing modern services into the community, including power, natural gas and phone service. He spent many years as a volunteer telephone lineman once phone service was established, drove school bus, was an active leader in 4H clubs in the community and served as Chairman of the Board of the Drumheller Co-op, having the honor of holding Membership #1 for life. He was an officer of the Agricultural Society and donated many hours of his time to a host of other church and community activities and committees, including an eventually successful effort at getting the main north/south road through the community paved. Svend and Marie raised three children; Dale, Richard and Barbara all of whom have gone on to successful lives in their chosen occupations. Svend was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and often expressed regret that the demands of farming had hindered his opportunity to finish a high school education. However, for those who knew Svend, his lack of formal education was never an issue, as he was a self-taught scholar with a PhD in common sense and decency. The entire family had nothing but the highest respect for Svend for, as unassuming as he was, he was a man we could all look up to with respect and pride. When Svend and Marie determined that it was time to step away from the farm, they built a beautiful home out at Sorrento in the Shuswap and enjoyed many years of their early retirement looking out over the low cast interior mountains and the deep blue and green lake below their house. Although he had always been an athletic individual, it was not until that time in Svend’s life that he took up the game of golf, playing the game well into his 90’s and enjoying many rounds with friends and family. He could even boast that he carded a hole-in-one when he was in his mid-80’s, a feat that even most pro’s cannot claim. When the trips back and forth from BC to Alberta, mostly for doctor’s visits, became too numerous and difficult, Svend and Marie bought a house in Airdrie, Alberta where they lived for many years. This was followed by several more years in a senior’s condo facility after which they moved out to Three Hills to be closer to their daughter Barb. They resided in Three Hills until Marie’s passing, after which Svend moved into the Colonel Belcher Veteran’s facility in Calgary where he spent the remaining three years of his life. Svend passed away on March 9, 2017. He lived a long and fruitful life, and although he certainly experienced some difficult times in his nearly 98 years, he accepted them with the same honesty, courage, grace and humility that was the hallmark of his approach to life. His life was full of family and friends and those who knew him will surely miss him, as he was admired and respected by all. He is survived by his three children: Dale Andersen (Delia), Richard Andersen (Sharlene) and Barbara Andersen Rosgen (Reinhard) as well as 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, all of whom will fondly remember this kind and gentle man. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 AM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dalum, Alberta on July 8th, 2017. The family decided what better way to celebrate his life than by having his memorial service on what would have been his 98th birthday. Lunch will be served at the Dalum Community Hall following his interment. Everyone who knew him is welcome to attend to share their memories and pay last respects to this wonderful man.
