LUND
With sadness we share the passing of Ty Lund on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Long Term Care at the age of 82 years.
Ty was born March 31, 1938 to Liz and Tom Lund of the Alhambra area. There are many things that Ty will always be remembered for. First and foremost was his strong personality and dedication to whatever he believed in. Ty was a very tough man both physically and mentally; very few people challenged Ty Lund and came out winning the argument. He had a true love for nature and being outdoors. Ty also had a strong sense of civic duty – he truly believed that he was put on earth to serve his fellow man. These aspects of Ty were evident at a very young age, and were evident throughout his career.
As a toddler he simply could not stand being in the house, which was a problem for his mother, Liz who was busy running a farm household. All Ty wanted was to be outside all the time. The solution was to attach a bell to the back of 2-year-old Ty’s shirt and send him outside. All Liz had to do was open the door and listen for the ringing sound to know that he was okay.
At the age of 6, he would walk approximately three-quarters of a mile to school, often accompanied by his 6-year-old cousin. There was also a frozen creek crossing along the way, and Ty and his cousin decided to travel along the ice in order to get home one afternoon. Unfortunately, the 6 year olds were not familiar with the dangers of beaver dams, and Ty fell through the ice into the freezing water. Fortunately, his cousin and other small schoolchildren were able to pull him out of the freezing water.
A few years later, the Alhambra area was experiencing a cold snap. It was -40°C and Liz decided it was far too cold for Ty to walk to school. By the time his dad, Tom was finished with his chores, Ty was outside playing. Tom said, “If you can play outside, you can go to school. Get going!” Ty was made of tough stuff. As a teen, he loved the farm. Whether it was raising cattle, haying, or growing crops – Ty enjoyed it all. Although he did very well in school, it was always a hardship for him as he would rather be working on the farm.
Once Ty was a young adult, he left the farm to work for his Uncle Fernie running a bulldozer. This was a time that had an impact on Ty, as he developed an even greater appreciation for the environment and especially the West Country. After spending a few years operating a bulldozer, he realized that he was needed on the farm and returned. During that time Ty took up curling, completed bulldozer work to help develop the Pine Hills Golf Course, was a Kinsmen member, and obtained his pilot license. It was also during this time that he developed a strong desire to serve his community.
Ty began his political career as a councillor for the local Improvement District, which became the Municipal District of Clearwater, and Ty eventually became the Reeve. It was during this time that he recognized his true calling and embraced politics.
In 1989, Ty was elected as an MLA for the Alberta Government and would serve for 23 years. It was truly his proudest accomplishment. Ty served as a cabinet minister under Ralph Klein, holding four different portfolios: Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Infrastructure and Transportation, and Government Services. These positions allowed him to travel the world as a delegate for Alberta, where he met with many government leaders. As a delegate, he helped to develop policies and agreements that benefited Alberta and other areas of the world. Ty attended the Kyoto Conference in Japan and multiple conferences with governors of the United States and Mexico. Some of the other notable places he visited were China, Russia, Argentina, and Germany.
Ty returned to farming in 2012, but remained very interested in politics. When his mind and body would not allow him to be outside working, he would watch CPAC, the Provincial Legislature, and the Federal Legislature endlessly. One afternoon his brother, Mark went over to talk to Ty and noted that he was watching the British Legislature. Mark questioned why he was watching the British Legislature, to which Ty responded, “What am I supposed to watch when none of the legislatures in Canada are sitting at this time?” His dedication to politics and serving his community never faltered.
Ty leaves to mourn: his siblings, Sharlene, and Mark (Wendy); his nieces, Christine, Shelda, Marcine, Clara, Hannah, and Taylor; his nephews, Theron, and Galan; his sister-in-law, Sonja; and dog, Molly. He was predeceased by his parents, Liz and Tom; brother, Curt; sister, Devera; brother-in-law, Orlen; and nephew, Colin.
The Lund Family would like to thank the staff at the Rimbey Long Term Care Centre, and everyone who supported Ty during the last stage of his life.
A virtual Memorial Service will take place at a later date. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the charity of one’s choice, or perform an act of service in your community in Ty’s memory.
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Ty Lund entrusted to the care of
