Obituary of Edwin Marklund

MARKLUND: Verner Edwin Marklund, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away on August 1, 2008 in Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 81. Vern was the third eldest son of Albin and Georgina Marklund born on August 17, 1926 in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan. The Marklund family moved to Weirdale, Saskatchewan in 1933 where Vern received the majority of his elementary schooling. At a very early age, Vern started working including helping out at his father's trucking company. He also worked at wood cutting camps north of Prince Albert in the middle of winter, living in tents and listening to the wolves howl at night. In the 1940's the family moved to Prince Albert where Vern finished his high school education and started his career with North Star Oil and then Texaco Canada. Vern had many stories of his adventures driving a gas truck around northern Saskatchewan including delivering gas to northern communities only accessible by winter roads over frozen lakes. Vern also had an opportunity to meet a number of Saskatchewan politicians. While in high school and working at a service station, he looked after John Diefenbaker's car. He also drove Tommy Douglas to many political meetings at communities surrounding Prince Albert. Vern married Elinor Pulsford on March 27, 1954 and they moved to Lloydminster in 1957. Vern owned and operated the Texaco bulk plant and service station in Lloydminster for many years. In his semi-retirement, he drove a school bus and worked for the Battle River School Division for over 20 years. He drove children from southeast of Lloydminster including Lone Rock to Lloydminster schools for many years. Vern enjoyed the simple pleasures of life including working in his yard and on his house; coffee with friends; and reading a good book. He had a lifelong interest in airplanes and obtained his private pilots license in the late 1950s. He square danced with the Lloydminster Square Dance club for over thirty years. While he enjoyed staying close to home, he made many trips to St. Albert and Regina to visit his children and two beloved grandchildren who will miss Grandpa very much. He also enjoyed vacations to Hawaii and Phoenix and many short trips camping in his trailer and later a motor home. Vern will be lovingly missed by his wife Elinor; son Doug (Charlene) and granddaughter Sarah of St. Albert, Alberta; son Ron (Sandra) and grandson Andrew of Regina, Saskatchewan; brother Eugene (Marjorie) of Calgary, Alberta; sister June (Basil) Adam of Ottawa, Ontario; sister in-law May of Red Deer, Alberta; and, numerous nieces and nephews. Vern was predeceased by his brother Ivar in 2002; brother Gilbert in 2005; and, sister in-law Geraldine in 2007. Special thanks to the University of Alberta Hospital Units 3E2 and 5D2 who cared for him over the last five months. The Celebration of Life for Vern was held at the McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster, Alberta on August 08, 2008 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.