Obituary of Thomas Amundrud

Obituary Thomas Amundrud Thomas Amundrud went to be with the Lord on January 3, 2011, in his home at Chilliwack, B.C., at the age of 93 years. Dad’s wish was granted by God, as he passed away quickly, peacefully and surrounded by family. What an enriched life that even on his last day, Dad enjoyed a full dinner, his usual catnap and a nice visit with family just minutes before the Lord called him home. Thomas Amundrud was born on April 17, 1917 in Lloydminster, which was the same year that the first Lloydminster hospital was built and the Tangleflags School, where Dad attended until Grade 7. Dad was the 4th of 6 boys born to Anton and Anna Amundrud. He was predeceased by his brothers, Andy, Ole, Edwin, & Gilbert. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Agnes; children, Irvin (Joanna) of Sooke, B.C., Glen (Linda) of Lloydminster, Marilyn (Les) of Chilliwack, B.C., and Don (Linda) of Lloydminster, fifteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, brother Ernest, and numerous friends and relatives. Dad was raised on the Amundrud farm with his brothers in the Tangleflags district. They worked hard, and we know they played hard as well! All of us kids loved to sit around our Uncles and listen to all the old stories from the early days..no lack of entertainment and laughs. Dad continued to live and work on the farm until the start of World War 2 where he spent 4 years in the services. After the war, Dad returned to the Lloydminster area and worked for Miners Construction in Lloydminster as a carpenter. Dad met Agnes Anderson at a local dance. They fell in love and were married on July 7, 1949. After a couple of years in Lloyd, the passion to farm again was strong, so Mom & Dad moved back to the Amundrud farm in the spring of 1953. They also thought it was the best place to raise their kids. Mom and Dad continued to actively farm until 1978, when Don & Linda took over the farm. They retired in Chilliwack, B.C., and have been residing in their own home ever since, enjoying a much more favorable climate. Dad always had a passion for hunting and fishing. We spent many Sunday afternoons fishing off the shore at the river, Perch Lake, or the annual trips to Ministikwan Lake. Dad caught his last fish only a couple of years ago, when he was 90, while fishing on the river with Dean. He still had that same excitement as he always had. Dad taught most of us kids how to shoot a gun, especially the 22 when we were young. We always trapped gophers but on Sunday’s we’d quite often get the day off from trapping, so we could shoot them with Dad instead. Dad always told us that when our height reached the bottom of his shirt pocket we had to start doing a full day’s work. We all know that Dad wasn’t that tall, so we started at a pretty young age. He preached that “a job worth doing is worth doing right”, so do it to the best of your ability. Dad was very encouraging, and told you if you did a good job…but also let you know when you didn’t. We appreciated Dad’s honesty. When he said no it meant no and when he said yes you could count on it. He’d say a man is only as good as his word. He taught us to work. He’d say hard work never hurt anyone, it’s just the thought of it. He was great at encouraging us and his grand kids. He was never in a hurry and took time to enjoy life. He was meticulous and even with only a Grade 7 education, he had no problem being on top of his finances even at 93 years old. He knew a good buy and loved going to auction sales. Dad was fairly opinionated, and he had no problem calling a “Spade a Spade”. You always knew where you stood, whether it was on politics, free loaders, or neighbors dogs and cats. Dad loved to travel and see new places. During WW2 he was stationed in Halifax and Labrador. On army leaves he saw Boston, New York and Coney Island. In 1988 he and Mom traveled with Irvin to Scotland and Norway. More recently they took a bus trip to Toronto and Montreal. Irvin remembers Dad reading a portion from the Bible before he and Mom went to sleep at night. At the time he thought this had to be a good thing. Dad had a heart for the Lord for some time. But recently as a result of a dream he had, Dad accepted Jesus as his Lord and saviour. In closing, Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa, you were the best. You taught us “right from wrong”, “no means no”, “how to do a days work”, “it’s not about how much money you make..but about living within your means”. You taught us that “the connection and love within a family is what brings meaning and true value in life”. You thanked God in your own simple words for your wife and family, and always told us how proud you were that your children and grandchildren had turned out to be decent human beings. We hope the fish are biting, the sun is shining, and the wind is at your back. Hymns sung were “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” accompanied by Daryl Amundrud on piano. Card of Thanks Thank you to the Living Faith Pentecostal Tabernacle, Lloydminster, Alberta for hosting the service on Monday, January 10th, 2011 at 2:00pm with thanks to Pastor Tim Acey for officiating, Pastor Sam Acey for running sound, Pastor Joanne deGraaf for running the video projection and the WM for providing the delicious lunch. Special thanks to Irvin Amundrud, Glen Amundrud & Don Amundrud for giving the eulogy. To Lindsey Eaton, Amanda Amundrud & Andrew Amundrud for reading the grandkids tributes. An extra special thanks to Daryl Amundrud for creating the DVD of grandpa Tom’s life and for playing the piano. Also, thanks to those who performed the special music and song “ Farther Along” namely Joanna Amundrud, Gary Amundrud & Daryl Amundrud. The honorary pallbearers were all of Tom’s friends and relatives. Thank you. The active pallbearers were grandsons: Andrew Amundrud, Dean Amundrud, Gary Amundrud, Daryl Amundrud, Ian Amundrud, Arlis Howard, Riley Howard and Logan Howard. Thanks for your special part in Granpa’s farewell. Thanks to all those who left cards, flowers food and donations and to all who came out to pay tribute to Thomas. Your love was very comforting. Thank you to Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home in Chilliwack, B.C. and McCaw Funeral Services in Lloydminster, AB. for your kind professional administering of the funeral arrangements. The interment was held in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. God Bless You All Very Much Agnes Amundrud Irvin & Joanna & family Glen & Linda & family Marilyn & Les & family Don & Linda & family Donations in memory of Thomas may be made to the charity of the donors choice.