Obituary of Mildred Okerstrom

OKERSTROM ~ Mildred Catherine Okerstrom passed away peacefully at the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre, Lloydminster, Alberta on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at the age of 98 years. Mildred will be sadly missed by her three sons: Arden and Irene of Sherwood Park, Norman and Maureen of Portland, Oregon, Larry and Lynda of Lloydminster, Alberta; nine grandchildren: Perry and Debbie Okerstrom, Linda and Blair Halliday all of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Christopher and Valery Okerstrom, Colleen and Ron Medlock, Kerry and Geoff Sovde, Keith and Holly Okerstrom, Kevin Okerstrom all residing in the USA, Larynda Okerstrom of Calgary, Alberta, Steven and Jodi of Lloydminster, Alberta; ten great grandchildren: Patti Okerstrom, Erik Okerstrom, Sean Halliday, Alana Halliday, Kelsey Medlock, Connor Medlock, Avery Medlock, Ethan and Sidney Sovde, Logan Okerstrom as well as numerous other relatives. Mildred was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on July 24, 1910. Her parents farmed in Lacadena, Saskatchewan. Mildred received her public and high school education in the village of Lacadena where Mildred later did hair dressing for a number of years. She was married to Paul Okerstrom in December 1935 making their first home in White Bear, Saskatchewan where Paul taught school. This was followed by a number of moves to other locations in Saskatchewan. Wherever they moved, she was very active in church affairs and community activities. In 1952 the family moved to Lloydminster, Alberta where she lived until she went to a nursing home in 2004. When her family was grown up and away from home, Mildred worked in several retail stores in Lloydminster, she traveled extensively with Paul; and she remained active in the community. Mildred had many hobbies: gardening, needlepoint, petit point, crocheting, playing the piano. The funeral service was conducted from the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Lyle Berg officiating. The eulogy was read by Larry Okerstrom. The hymns sung were "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", "Beyond The Sunset" and "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus" accompanied by Greg Nelson and Marea French. The active pallbearers were Arden Okerstrom, Norman Okerstrom, Larry Okerstrom, Perry Okerstrom, Erik Okerstrom, Steven Okerstrom and Sean Halliday. Interment was held in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Chan, the staff at Dr. Cooke Nursing Home, Reverend Lyle Berg, the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship Ladies for the lunch, music provided by Greg Nelson and Marea French, to the donations made in memory of Mildred and McCaw Funeral Service. Donations in memory of Mildred may be made to the Lloydminster HandiVan Society.