David Anderson

Dave Anderson (82) entered his eternal home with Jesus on March 20, 2022 while at home in the loving arms of his wife, Carol; daughter, Tracy; and dear friend, Veronica Smith. Despite his difficult health challenges since his stroke in 2008, his faith in God, passionate spirit, and determined grit gave him strength to carry on. He chose to focus on what he could do rather than on what he couldn’t do. When he was asked how he was, he surprised people by belting out a whole-hearted “FANTASTIC”! He was even nicknamed “Mr. Fantastic”!! He loved to make people laugh. His magnetic personality, hilarious one-liners, and warm hugs drew people to him like a magnet. Underneath his no nonsense business like exterior, he truly was a big teddy bear!

Dave was born to Swedish parents Ernest and Helen (Abrahamson) Anderson in Young, SK where he spent his formative years. At the age of 13 he moved to Prince Albert to attend high school while living, studying, and pulling a prank or two at the Covenant Bible Institute! In 1959 Dave enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces where he served in the Queen’s Own Rifles, Infantry Regiment for ten years. Over that time, he found time to be a taxi driver, policeman, general manager and bouncer at 2 nightclubs in Calgary! Upon leaving the Forces he moved to Edmonton and set up a construction business. He had so much talent and always had a project on the go. His most recent one was tracing his family's genealogy back to 75 AD! He enjoyed reading, golfing, hockey (player and coach), curling, skiing (down black runs!), breeding and raising pugs, fishing, camping, cooking the most delicious meals, and photography. One of his main areas of service was being a swim official. When he achieved the Master Swim Official, he was the youngest person in Canada (at that time) to do so. He officiated from local events to the Olympic Trials. In 1995 Swim Alberta chose him to be their “Official of the Year”.

After retiring and moving to Wetaskiwin in 1999, Dave ran the Karriage House B&B as well as an antique shop. Dave had a great impact on this community and those around him. He became active member in the Malmo Mission Covenant Church and the VASA (Swedish) Lodge, helped make Wetaskiwin a destination for antiques, became President of the local Chamber of Commerce, and served on Wetaskiwin City Council from 2004-2008 when he had to leave due to his health.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; children: Bonnie of Fairview, Cindy (daughter-in-law) of Calgary, Tracy of Edmonton, Bryan of Yellowknife, Paulette of Calgary (and their mother Christine Sinclair), Baerach (Kendra) of Edmonton, Krystal of Edmonton (and their mother Rosalie Moore-Anderson); grandchildren: Andrea (Devin), Josh (Kaitlin), Christopher (Lori), Kerrie, Kevin, Quenton, David, Nathan, Michael, Caden, Jacob, Torren, Sloane, Eaoldhin, and Willow; great-grandchildren: Ryker, Boyd, Bowdyn, and Sophia. Dave is also survived by his sister, Doreen of Alaska, brother Raymond (Solveig) of Abbottsford, and special brother Rodney (Bev) Soonias of Sylvan Lake and step-sisters Darlene (Norm) Klinger of Saskatoon and Ila Wigmore of BC; sisters-in-law: Anne of Vimy, Betty Earle and Marjorie Ingersoll of NB along with numerous nephews, nieces, and special friends. Dave was pre-deceased by his parents, step-father Elmer Hemmingson; sister Iona (Pete) Tocheniuk; brothers Warren (Ellen) and George; son Graham of Calgary; and brothers-in-law Charles (Barbara) of NS, Ronald Earle of NB and Dale Ingersoll of NB.

Dave was a wonderful man who continued to be more concerned about others and their needs than his own. He will be missed by his family and friends so much. We take great comfort in knowing he is now completely healed and whole with his Saviour, Jesus Christ. When people were leaving, his last words were always “and remember, Jesus loves you”.

Special thanks to Dr. Dippenaar and the front office staff at the Tower Clinic, Rod's Pharmacy, Home Care nurses (Marilyn), Palliative Care nurse (Jocelyn) and Bethany Home Support (especially Diane B., Catherine, Hargi, and Tasha); Pastor Randall Friesen and our Church Family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 1:30 pm at Malmo Mission Covenant Church, 224079 TWP RD442. Live streaming will be available at www.hainstockleduc.com

Donations in memory of Dave may be made to the Malmo Mission Covenant Church Building Fund, Neighbours Outreach Wetaskiwin, Homes for Heroes or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Prayer

Dear Lord God Almighty, we thank you for your great love for our brother Dave and for how you loved him before he ever knew you. In fact before he was born, you saw him and prepared him and shaped him so uniquely. Just as you have done for each one of us from your heart of love.

Thank you for his life lived out and for the power of your Spirit that took hold of him in his later years. Thank you for the love that radiated through to so many of us and that even though his love was limited, and occasionally frail, he would always remind us how much you loved us too.

I pray that this testimony of love would echo through our hearts and ring through our lives even today. And that you would get our attention today and remind us of your love for every one of us.

May our memory of Dave and the story of his life always be that we experienced your love through him.

And may we always remember from Dave himself, that “Jesus loves you.”

Amen

Pastor Randall Friesen

Malmo Mission Covenant Church