Caroline Margaret Codling

Karoline Margaret Isabelle Swanson, “Caroline” was born in Indian Head, Saskatchewan to Mabel Beattie originally from Stonehaven, Scotland and Peder Landsverk/Peter Swanson originally from Syvde, Norway, on January 17, 1925.

After finishing high school in Qu’Appelle and Normal School in Saskatoon, Carol went on to teach primary school in Manor, McLean and Fort Qu’Appelle.

Caroline’s first love was a Canadian paratrooper and professional hockey player from Qu’Appelle, by the name of Vince Germann. In the Second World War, on what was to have been his very last jump in March 1945, while trying to liberate France from Germany, he was killed. They were to be married that June.

Seven years later, in December 1952, she married Wes Codling and moved to Fillmore, SK. Wes and Carol welcomed their first son, Peter, a 60th birthday gift for Carol’s father, followed by Tim and then twin girls; Jean and Joan – all born in Fillmore.

While in Fillmore, Carol was very involved with the Lion’s Club, was president of the U.C.W, sang in the choir and became the choir director. As an adolescent, Carol won awards for her singing and she was a beautiful pianist. In her late teens, she played piano for a band called the “Qu’Appelle Swing Five.”

In 1965, Carol and Wes purchased a cottage at #16 Quebec Street in Kenosee and enjoyed 55 summers there until the cottage sold in the winter of 2019 which was Carol’s last summer there.

In 1966, after Wes retired, they moved to Melita, Manitoba and remained there until they opted for a milder climate and relocated to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1982. Wes passed away in 1999 and Carol continued living in their townhouse on “Mill Lake” and then moved to Primrose, an independent living facility in Abbotsford.

Carol was very fortunate in her later life to enjoy the company of Dick Filteau from Melita, a very kind and gracious man, until his passing in 2013.

In 2021, at the age of 96, Carol returned to Saskatchewan and became a resident of Deer View Lodge in Wawota, SK. where she was loved and cared for by the excellent staff and her many resident friends.

Throughout her life, she was always very involved with the various churches where they lived, played piano and sang for many community functions, rang bells in Calvin Presbyterian Church in Abbotsford, bowled, curled, did ceramics, was president of the Ladies Aid, worked part-time as a product demo at Safeway, was a cook at the Kenosee Gardens, took part in community theatre, loved a good game of bridge, was an Elder of the church for many years and was chairman of the Pastoral Care,’ visiting the sick in hospitals. Carol also worked for “Stewart’s Lumber” and then the “Fashion Centre” in Melita. Carol was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge and held several offices including District Deputy President and was a Page at General Assembly in Winnipeg. Carol was also very instrumental in welcoming and helping to set up a family of ‘Boat People’ (as they were know in the 70’s,) in Melita.

In addition to travelling to Kenosee each summer, in 1994 she attended a family reunion in Syvde, Norway and spent many years travelling to Maui with sister Helen and her husband, Jack. One of the highlights of her life was meeting the R.H. Paul Martin senior in Ottawa and His Excellency the Governor-General Vanier and Madame Vanier when Peter, at the age of 9, received the Silver Cross for Bravery for running after the family car and stopping it before it went over a cliff at Waterton National Park with sister Jean and the doctor's son in the vehicle.

Carol was predeceased by her parents; her husband Wes, of 47 years; her two brothers Andy and his wife, Wilma and Bill and his wife Madeline; brother-in-law Jack Willison and two of her nephews, brothers Allan and Merlin Swanson.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her sister Helen Willison of Calgary, Alberta; her four children: Peter (Salt Spring Island, B.C.), Tim and wife, Joanne (Chilliwack Mountain, B.C.), Joan and husband, Mickey (Kenosee Lake, SK) and their children, Julie (Kipling, SK) and Shelby (Regina, SK), Jean and husband, Ken (Abbotsford, B.C.) their son, Justin (Abbotsford, B.C.) and many nieces and nephews who affectionately called her “Auntie Carr.” Carol will be sadly missed by Julie’s daughter “Elise” – her one and only great-grandchild. Carol was a very hard working, dedicated, congenial and loving mother. She will be missed by her Kenosee Lake neighbors and everyone who had the privilege to know her.

The funeral service for Carol was held in Moose Mountain Church of Christ, Kenosee Lake, Saskatchewan on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. An interment in the Fillmore Cemetery will be held at a later date.