WHELEN

The world lost a beautiful soul with the passing of Denise May Whelen of Buck Lake, Alberta on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. 

Denise fought a courageous and long battle with cancer and passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre at the age of 57 years.

Denise was born in Rimbey and raised on the family farm just off the Medicine Lake Road.  Denise, her husband Rod, and their girls made their home in several places over the years, but they never ventured far from Denise’s family’s Central Alberta roots. 

The family ended up settling at Buck Lake, making their home on a beautiful lot, high up overlooking the tranquil water.  This was the family’s ‘happy place’ where they made many memories and spent lots of time together.

Denise was known for her love of family and camping.  She was always happy to visit with family and would strike up conversation just about anywhere she went.  Her beauty, inside and out, was breathtaking.  She was the heart and soul of her family, and she will be deeply missed.

Denise will be lovingly remembered by her husband Rod; her beautiful daughters Shantelle (Chris) Norrington and Ashley (Kodie) Sinclair; as well as her precious grandchildren Paytyn, Noah, and Odin.  She will also be lovingly remembered by her mother Karen Reimer; her siblings Dean (Sandra) Reimer, Shannon Graham, and Sharlene (Tim) Sylvestre; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews; her grand-niece and grand-nephew; along with many cherished friends and additional family members.  Denise was predeceased by her father August Reimer; and her mother-in-law Lari Whelen.

A Memorial Service in Celebration of Denise’s Life will be held at the Rimbey United Church, Rimbey on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Marco Williams-Ste-Marie officiating.  She will be laid to rest at a later date alongside family in the Meadowvale Cemetery near Rimbey.  

If desired, memorial donations in Denise’s memory may be made towards her sister’s cancer ride during the 2025 Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer event in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation.  In honour of Sharlene’s ride for Denise, please credit your donation to fundraiser Sharlene Sylvestre online at:  https://touralbertaforcancer.ca; or by mail directly to Tour Alberta for Cancer, c/o the Alberta Cancer Foundation, 710, 10123 – 99 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3H1. 

For more information on Sharlene’s cancer ride for Denise,

use your phone camera and scan the attached QR Code. 

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 Denise May Whelen entrusted to the care of