PALM

Leo Norman Palm died peacefully at home on Monday, November 1, 2021.

Leo was born on September 1, 1926 in his grandparents’ home in the Medicine Hills, and raised on his family’s farm near Eckville. While he attended school at the Estonian School until Grade 8, his life’s work and most significant education was farming.

Ruth, his wife of nearly 72 years, was his partner in this, and all things. They were married on January 4, 1950. Two years later, they bought land at Forshee where they built a life full of the things they loved most: children, horses, and music.

True to his Finnish heritage, Leo often greeted visitors to the farm with an enthusiastic “Kuinka se menee.” He saunaed most Saturdays for the duration of his life, and passed a deep love of this tradition onto his children and grandchildren. Other pleasures included singing with the Forshee Farmers, old-time dancing, fiddle music, camping (particularly out west), slo-pitch, card games, curling, horseshoes, and horsemanship. While Leo took great joy in all these things, none of them made his blue eyes light up quite like the arrival of a new baby, or music played by the family.

Having lived over 95 years, Leo weathered many losses, including the deaths of his parents William and Irene; brothers Harold, Jack, and Ron; sisters Phyllis Erickson, Thelma Staniforth, and Betty Shultz; daughter Lois Johns; sons Rod and Gord; son-in-law Neil White; and grandson Eli.

Over the course of his lifetime, Leo amassed a wide circle of family and friends. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Ruth; daughters Jocelyn Tennison (Ted), Barbara White, and Kathleen (Gord Rutherford); sons Frank (Gale), Norman (Jane), and Don (Shawn); son-in-law Barry Johns; daughters-in-law Mary and Anette; twenty-three grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; brother Bill (Ellen); brother-in-law Keith Wright (Kathy); and many nieces, nephews, extended relatives, dear friends, neighbours, and community members.

The Palm family extends their deepest gratitude to staff at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Rimbey FCSS and the homecare workers who took such good care of Leo these last years. We are forever in your debt.

A private service was held for the immediate family at the Rimbey United Church on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Leo was laid to rest in the Bradshaw Cemetery at a later date. Donations made in his name may be directed to the Forshee Hall, RR 1, Site 5, Bentley, Alberta T0C 0J0; to Rimbey FCSS, Box 404, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyfcss.com); or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca

Cremation Arrangements for the Late Leo Norman Palm entrusted to the care of