1917 to 2006
March 3, 1917, in a big farm house near Weldon Saskatchewan Edna Hamre was born.
Her parents, Olaus and Anna and two sons Hans and Pete, had immigrated to Canada from Norway in 1905. Tillie, Alma, Olga and Casper were also born in Saskatchewan.
The family was drawn west to the land of opportunity. Edna’s grandmother and Auntie Svenkenson made the move with them in June 1917. Andy Dahlberg, another Norwegian immigrant, welcomed and housed the entire family of 11 until Olaus built his own house. The Hamre house sat high on a hill in Danskin and was revered by many. The home was the hub of much activity while it’s occupants eked out a living, farming and sawmilling.
Mary was born in the South Bank Hospital in 1920 and the Hamre family was complete. A handsome swede strolled into town and captured Edna’s heart. Henry (1902-1985) and Edna Anderson were married in 1936 and had their fist daughter Ann in the same year. A son, Ken, was born in 1938 and all lived happily in a small log house on York Road.
The family ventured to the north side of Francois Lake and lived in various locations in the Lakes District-Decker, Pinkut, Babine and Burns Lake. Another daughter, Barbara, was born in 1946. Life was tough but that made everyone wiser and stronger. Henry was a carpenter by trade but tried his hand at logging and after retirement, night watchman at the local schools. In the early years Edna cooked in logging camps and became a nanny/housekeeper to supplement the family income.
Edna worked in the old hospital (George Brown Memorial Building) and when the new hospital opened she and Netty Adams became the cooks. They baked, cooked, ordered and served as well as trained the young hopefuls.
The stress of diets prompted Edna to demote herself to the laundry department where she retired in 1982 after 22 years of service as a hospital employee. Comrades Doris A., Mary C. and Florence H. found time to have fun and play cards between loads of laundry.
Daughter Ann married Bob Anderson in 1960 and they had three children-Valerie, Aaron and Adrienne. Ann was taken from us in 1976. Son Ken married Lois Rogers in Toronto in 1964 and they had three children-Yvonne, Micheal and Kevin. Daughter Barb married Eric Bardarson in 1964 and they had four children-Dan, Rhonda, Kelly and Vicky. The family tree grew to include 21 great grandchildren and we are not done yet. She was so so proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Edna did not split the atom, save the children or become president of anything, but she was the epitomy of honesty, hard work and devotion to family and friends.