In Loving Memory of Aldean Edna Krake (née Ramsay), April 17, 1936 – May 7, 2024 (age 88)

 

Laughter.  Joy.  Dancing.  Cooking.  Gardening.  Costumes.   Raising four children.   These are just some of the descriptors that capture the twinkle in her eye that represents Aldean “Mom” Krake, who after a long battle with dementia passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, with her husband Russell and daughter Shelley at her side.

 

Born in North Battleford, Aldean grew up around horses and a mix of farm and city life, spending some of her summers out with relatives in Cut Knife, with joyful stories of fun and hijinks with her cousins Carl and Lyle Ramsay, among others, and special summertime visits to the river for swimming and fun.  She was active in school and community, playing sports, cheerleading, and even taking turns on the runway in local fashion shows.  She met her future husband Russell in early 1957 and after several months’ courtship they were married on November 16, 1957.   Shelley, their first born, arrived November 14, 1960, and over the next 6 years Kelly, Del and Reg arrived to fill a household with 4 children, along with several dogs and cats along the way.

 

Aldean and Russ and family moved many times over the years, from North Battleford to Lloydminster to Vermillion to Edmonton to Calgary to Osoyoos, BC and later Penticton BC, where they spent ~40 years before moving back to Cut Knife, SK in 2022 to be closer to siblings, relatives and old (and new!) friends.  Aldean was always a very busy and active wife and mother — leading Cub Scouts, sewing costumes for Klondike Days and Hallowe’en, imparting her love of dancing to the family, supporting her children in academic endeavours, piano and guitar lessons, clubs and sports in both school and community, and gardening vegetables and beautiful flowers, among many other pursuits.

 

Even with raising 4 children, she managed to hold down many jobs over the years, from providing secretarial duties for the RCMP, serving as assistant to the dean of Math Sciences at the University of Calgary, helping run the family’s lakefront resort business in both front office as well as a robust cleaning and room servicing crew, and providing administrative and secretarial horsepower to Russell’s Accounting business.  She loved playing cards — bridge and kaiser among her favourites — with many evenings of intense competition and fun, including lots of family games and activities she helped make happen.  It’s hard to imagine how she managed to do it all — and always with her trademark sparkle, laughter and joy for meeting people and engaging in life to the fullest, which she fostered in her children — even while also meting out the discipline and rigour of parenting and ensuring her kids were raised with respect, maturity and good manners.

 

Once the children were all adults and pursuing their own careers, relationships and families, Aldean was of course overjoyed to have 6 grandchildren come into her life over the years, and she loved being with them and playing with and nurturing them as a proud grandmother whenever possible.  With child-rearing behind her, she and Russ took up square dancing in earnest, along with motorhome trips near and far, and several years with a vacation home in Yuma, AZ where they enjoyed the fellowship of many ‘snowbird’ friends, taking up golf and enjoying some well-earned ‘reward’ time after so many years of hard work and loving mothering.

 

Her challenges with dementia began in her later years, slowly but surely eroding memory and ability to concentrate and carry out day to day tasks.  However, with support of husband Russell, family and community she persevered — and over 66 years were still able to dance in the care home together on occasion, whether to live or stereo-supplied music, right up to the final months of her life.

 

The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the incredible CKCH care team where mom spent her final 2 years of life. She. Was always treated with compassion and dignity, love and kindness and we shall forever be grateful.

Aldean is survived by her loving husband of 66+ years, Russell Delmar Krake; daughter Shelley (Dave) and grandchildren Zach and Zoë of Calgary, AB; son Kelly (Liette) and grandchildren Erica and Lena of Penticton, BC; son Del (Elaine) and granddaughter Felicia of Langley, BC; son Reg (Jeff) of Vancouver, BC; sister Arlene Russell; and brother Brian Ramsay.   She was predeceased by sister Gwen; brother Bud; and grandson Christopher.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium – Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

• Date : 2024-05-10
• Location : Cut Knife, Sk