Marie Fenske

1920 - 2018

Marie Fenske (nee Peterson), her family’s favorite red head, passed away in Lethbridge on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at the age of 97 years, two weeks shy of her 98th birthday.

Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, February 23, 2018 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and at the church prior to the funeral service from 10:00 A.M. to 10:40 A.M.

The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14 - 3 Avenue East, Barnwell on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Barnwell Cemetery.

Marie is survived by her six children LaVern (Jack) Appleton of Lethbridge, LaVaun Story of Salem, Utah, Gary (Ruth Ann) Fenske of Camarillo, California, Dennis (Rea) Fenske of Barnwell, Harvey (Annie) Fenske of Taber and Laura (Barry) Webster of Mountain View. She was a loving grandma to twenty five grandchildren, sixty one great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. She will be fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Marie outlived thirteen siblings and their spouses, the last child of Henry and Emma Peterson to leave this life. She was also predeceased by her husband Norman Fenske, their infant son Bruce, son-in-law Gerald Story, grandsons Michael Fenske, Alan Story and granddaughter Susan Story.

On March 1, 1920 Marie was born on the Peterson homestead near Barnwell. The snowbanks were higher than the tops of the windows that day. She attended school in Barnwell and high school in Taber. She hadn't finished Grade eleven when she decided to go to Ann Arbor, Michigan to work. A while later she returned to Alberta.

Marie and Norman were married December 20, 1941 at her parents home. The newlyweds lived on a farm near Barnwell where Norman worked. They eventually bought land where they ran a mixed farming operation. Marie was chief cook for many hired hands. She loved cooking, and took pride in making good meals. Her kids loved returning home from school to the welcome smell of freshly baked bread and cinammon buns.

The Fenske's built a new home just west of their old farm in 1967 when the highway was widened. In the fall of 1978, Norman and Marie swapped houses with Dennis and Rea, moving into Barnwell.

Marie had a talent for singing and gardening. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Marie and Norman enjoyed traveling, and for over twenty years enjoyed being snowbirds.

On Friday, January 4, 2002 life changed dramatically for Marie when she was involved in a single vehicle rollover. She sustained a broken neck. Columbia Assisted Living became her new home for the next fourteen years. In September of 2016, she moved to Fairmont Extendicare.

Her granddaughter summed up Marie's life this way, “sing your way through life, work hard and endure gracefully to the end no matter what trials life hands you”.

We love you a bushel and a peck!

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Marie’s name may be made directly to the charity of one’s personal choosing.

Marie's family wish to express heartfelt thanks to all of her caregivers and friends at both Columbia Assisted Living and Fairmont Extendicare.