SANDERSON

With sadness we share that Louise Ruth Sanderson (née Skeels) of Rimbey, Alberta was taken into the Lord’s arms on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the age of 91 years.

Louise was born in Bentley, Alberta, the eldest daughter of Lester and Alda Skeels.  At the age of three years, she moved with her family from the Forshee area to the farm northeast of Rimbey.  Louise attended school at the Monte Vista School, later graduating from the Rimbey High School as the proud valedictorian of the Class of ’52.  Shortly following her graduation, on November 10, 1952, she married the tall, handsome neighbour, Tom Sanderson, who only lived 1 ½ miles from where she grew up.  Together with Tommy, the couple raised two sons, Rick and Jim.  They farmed together with Tommy’s parents until Donald passed away, and his mom, Dorothy, moved into the Parkland Manor.  In August of 1977, Louise and Tommy, along with Jim, moved to British Columbia, settling in Kelowna, while Rick took over the family farm. 

Louise was a lover of learning.  She attended Okanagan College and received her business administration diploma.  For a few years she worked for H & R Block.  Louise was an avid gardener, and appreciated the fact that she could grow ‘soooo’ many more vegetables, flowers, and fruit in the Okanagan! 

In the late 80s, Louise and Tommy became caretakers at the Fraser Lodge Campground on Sugar Lake, an absolute highlight of the British Columbia chapter of her life.  In 1990, they relocated from Kelowna to Lumby to be closer to the lake, and they loved the smaller community.  After Tommy’s passing, Louise returned to Alberta and settled in Red Deer where she was very involved with the Cornerstone Gospel Church. 

Louise was fortunate to move into the Valley View Manor in Rimbey when it was newly built, and she absolutely loved the view from her room that overlooked the valley – and livestock – to the west.  She also loved her daily walks out of town on the trail “down to the bush.”  Louise was an enthusiast of walks in nature, the farming culture, and a good “chewing of the fat” with friends and loved ones.

Lovingly remembered, Louise is survived by her sons Rick (Evelyn) Sanderson of Rimbey; and Jim Sanderson (Tracey Baryski) of Calgary; as well as her five precious grandchildren Crystal (Stephen) Frost, Kimberley (Joshua) Estabrooks, Tony (Haleigh) Sanderson, Zachery (Sua) Sanderson, and Sasha Sanderson; her step-grandchildren Kendra and Jensen Wadams; and three great-grandchildren London, Arlo, and Darius.  She is also survived by her much-loved brother Gerald (May) Skeels; and her sister-in-law Joyce Skeels.  Louise was predeceased by her husband Tom; sister Thelma Galisky; and brother Delmer Skeels.

A Memorial Service in Celebration of Louise’s Life will be held at the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with the Reverend Dale Fallon officiating.  She will be laid to rest at a later date in the Mount Auburn Cemetery, Rimbey.  If desired, memorial donations in Louise’s memory may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, 306, 10430 – 61 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 2J3 (www.alzheimer.ca); or to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, c/o the Rimbey Hospital Legacy Committee, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta  T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyhospitallegacycommittee.com).  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page. 

Service and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Louise Ruth Sanderson (née Skeels) entrusted to the care of