Obituary of Ethel Mildred Thompson

Thompson Mrs. Ethel “Mildred” 1919-2013 Mrs. Ethel “Mildred” Thompson passed away peacefully on August 15, 2013 at the age of 94 years. Mildred was born on July 2, 1919 to John & Ester Lundstrom. She was the 3rd of their 6 children. They lived in Beatty, SK until 1923 when they moved to homestead in the Polwarth area. Mildred attended school at the Silent Call School, and in 1931 their family moved to Park Valley. Mildred began to work away from home at the age of 15 or 16 by working for many different families looking after their children, cooking and cleaning. She then went onto working as a maid and waitress at hotels, restaurants, and even cooking and cleaning at several resorts in the area like The Big Dipper Dining Theater, where she worked for about 10 years. Mildred married Alex Thompson on December 12 1941. They lived in Park Valley from 1942 to 1950 when they moved to Stump Lake where she lived until the move to Canwood. She stayed in Canwood until October 2007 when she moved to Lakewood Lodge in Big River. They had one daughter, Darlene but they never had a small family. Many children stayed with Mildred & Alex through the years. Whether they were foster children or someone who needed a place to stay for a few days, weeks or years, they were welcomed into the family. Mildred loved her cooking and baking as well as knitting, crocheting, quilting and sewing. She also had many travelling adventures over the years to England, Sweden, B.C., California, and Northwest Territories. Family was very important to Mildred, she was always so happy to spend time with them all, especially her great grandchildren. Mildred is lovingly remembered and cherished by: her daughter, Darlene (Ruben) Vaadeland and their children, Gord (Sheila) Vaadeland and their son Jake; Greg (Laurel) Vaadeland and their daughters Kayce and Rayna; Ellie (Kelly) Paul and their sons A.J. (Beth), Garrick and Cody; Errol (Angela) Vaadeland and their children Gauge and Alixandra. Her foster daughter Beatrice Primeau- Hurlburt; her brothers Arthur (Gladys) Lundstrom; Carl (Bernice) Lundstrom; her sisters-in-law Annie Lundstrom; Nora Thompson; and Marie Thompson. Mildred is predeceased by her husband Alexander Thompson; her 2 sons at birth; her foster son Percy Brooks; her parents John & Ester Lundstrom; her parents–in-law Adolph & Hanna Thompson; her sisters Violet Cramer & Ruth Croteau; her brother Berthil Lundstrom; her sisters-in-law Mary Ritchie; Alice Viklund & Minnie Mackie; her brothers-in-law Claude Cramer; Robert Croteau; Arthur Thompson; Olaf Thompson; George Thompson; Ross Ritchie; Olaf “Holgar” Viklund; Lloyd Mackie and Roy Thompson. The Memorial Service for Mildred was held on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. from the Canwood Community Hall with David Gabruch as officiant. Music was provided by Elinor Amundson & Gordon Vaadeland, and Mildred’s family shared memories of her. The Urn Bearers were Mildred’s Great Grandchildren, Jake Vaadeland, Garrick Paul, Cody Paul, and A.J. Paul. Interment took place in the Stump Lake Cemetery. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made in memory of Mildred to the Lakewood Lodge Auxiliary or to the Stump Lake Cemetery. Family and friends wishing to send inline condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Beau”Lac” Funeral Home, Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, Shellbrook (306-747-2828).