ERWIN VALGARDSON

1930 - 2004

Mr. Erwin Grant Valgardson of Taber, passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2004 at the age of 73 years.
Erwin, or "Val" to his many friends, was born in Taber, Alberta on November 21, 1930, the second of three sons of Ephriam and Lucille Valgardson. He was a popular athlete at the Taber High School and moved to Utah where he attended College. He met Lavina Seraphine of Anahiem, California and they married August 22, 1953. Erwin joined the U.S. Army in 1954 stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington and worked in the Airline Industry after leaving the Army.  He and his family owned and operated many businesses throughout California and Utah.  Erwin returned to Taber in 1983 to care for his ailing mother Lucille and continued to work the family farm following her death in 1992. His many interests in life included training his dogs, architecture and dancing.  He was an avid athlete, outdoorsman and known for his great sense of humor and storytelling.
He is survived by his four sons Mark of Mt. Vernon, Washington along with his daughter-in-law Lori and grandchildren Alexis and Andrew; Eric and Bradley, both of Portland, Oregon, and Christopher serving in the U.S. Air Force in Iwakuni, Japan and their mother Lavina Valgardson of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by his brother Gordon (Jean) of Lethbridge and his sister Sandra (William) Crarer of Vancouver, BC as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  
Erwin was predeceased by his parents Ephriam and Lucille, step-father John and brother Bernard.
Relatives and friends met with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber on Friday, October 8, 2004.
A Memorial Service honoring Erwin's life was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, Taber on Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. with TSgt. Chris Valgardson USAF, officiating.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in Erwin's name to the Lethbridge & District Humane Society, P.O. Box 783, Lethbridge, Alberta  T1J 3Z6.