Norma Elizabeth Alksne (nee Hancock)

March 22, 1952 - May 9, 2013

Norma Alksne passed away peacefully at the Rosedale Hospice in Calgary, AB on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at the age of 61 years. Norma was born to Wesley and Lillian Hancock on March 22, 1952 at Yorkton, Saskatchewan. She was raised on the family farm in Stornoway, Saskatchewan where she started school. The family moved to Rhein, Saskatchewan in 1963. Norma graduated from high school at the Yorkton Regional High School in 1970. It was here that she also met her future husband. After graduating, she moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and took a job with the Manitoba government, as a librarian and clerk in the airphoto library. On May 22, 1971 Norma married Arnold Alksne and they made their home in the Winnipeg area. In 1975 they moved to Edmonton, Alberta and eventually built a new home in Morinville, Alberta. They had two children; son Jason, and daughter Jocelyn. While the children were young, Norma was a stay at home mother. In the mid 70’s as the children began school, Norma went back to work part time. She worked in ladies retail clothing, in retail book sales, and later at Canada Post. Norma was very involved in her local churches, and eventually, after her husband changed careers, she became a minister’s wife. Norma loved to cook, bake, garden, grow flowers, sew, crochet, quilt, and do needle point. She also loved to travel, camp, hike, snowshoe, and cross country ski. Norma is survived by four sisters; Shirley (Alvin) Weiss, Margery (Gary) Schmidt, Joyce (David) Cosh, and Joanne (Rick) Schwab; six brothers Glen (Betty) Hancock, Jerry (Deb) Hancock, Terry Hancock, Dale (Wendy) Hancock, Roy (Tammy) Hancock, Gordon (Dawn) Hancock; 18 nephews and nieces; her husband Arnold, son Jason (Christi) Alksne, daughter Jocelyn (Tyler) Jensen and five grandchildren Tana, Jack, Natasha, Emma, and Jacob. Norma was pre-deceased by her parents Wesley Hancock in 1991 and Lillian Hancock in 1996. Even though Norma’s life may have been cut short by her illness, she lived a full life with many experiences, leaving many good memories for those she left behind. Norma had an unfailing faith in Jesus Christ, and valiantly claims her Baptismal promise of eternal life with her Lord and her loved ones. Even through the challenges and trials of her illness she was a living example of strength and unfailing faith. She will be missed by all. May God grant her a jubilant home coming. A Celebration of Norma’s Life will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, 204 6A Street N.E. Calgary, AB on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Rita Roste and Reverend Klaus Ohlhoff officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to St. John Lutheran Church. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial