Irvin Kenneth Amundson

Irvin Kenneth Amundson

1931-2020

Irvin Kenneth Amundson was born to Omund and Inga on December 15, 1931, in Park Valley, Saskatchewan.  He attended school at the one-room Lake Four schoolhouse until he finished Grade 8.    He then became a full-time worker on the family farm, helping to work the land and keep the cattle and younger children fed.   Spare time was spent playing music, listening to the radio, playing ball or swimming in the summertime and skiing, sledding or skating in the winter.  

He spent a short period of time working in Edmonton but soon moved back to Park Valley where he purchased land and set up his home.  Irvin was a gentle soul with a quick wit and loved to visit with friends and neighbors.  Irvin met Elaine Dodds from Edmonton in 1967 and they married later that year.  Carrie was born in 1969, Stanley in 1971, and Darryl rounded out the family in 1973.   Their home was where the kids learned how to work, how to play, how to respect others, and how to love.  If any of the kids came to the table with a frown, they were instructed to go back to their room to find a smile.  

Many good times were had, whether working or relaxing, exploring, camping or fishing, skating, or playing catch.  Irvin was always young at heart.  He was strong in body and in character.  He genuinely cared about others and he loved Park Valley. He never wanted to miss a church service, a prayer meeting, a community ball game, an event, or a birthday party.  Each one was an opportunity to eat together, to laugh, and just enjoy being together.

He served on many committees through the years and was an elder in the Church at Park Valley since the early ’70s.  Irvin loved music.  He played guitar, mandolin, and mouth organ.  Evenings in the Amundson house often rang with the sound of strings.  Irvin and Elaine sang together, the family sang every morning in family devotions and Irvin and son Darryl traveled and sang with the Baler Strings.  Recordings of Irvin’s sweet tenor voice still ring in songs like Farside Banks of Jordan, Gathering Flowers, and Where the Roses Never Fade.  

Each member of the family has special memories of Irvin.  An online memorial was held on Saturday, June 13th where each one shared their memories about their Dad and Grandpa.

Elaine passed away in 2013 but Irvin was able to stay in his home until April of 2020 when he moved into the Debden Heritage Manor.  There he received wonderful care from the staff.  On May 31st he was lovingly cared for at the Shellbrook Hospital until he passed away peacefully on June 3rd at the age of 88.

Irvin is lovingly remembered by daughter Carrie (Brad) Wensley, grandchildren Sarah, Victoria and Jonathan; son Stanley (Mel), grandchildren Camryn, Jett, and Rhyan; son Darryl (Christina), and grandchildren Sonora, Ira, Gabriel, Nathanael, and Anna Lynn; brother Harvey (Ruth); sister Esther (Alwin) Miller; sister-in-law Tena; brother Harold (Elinor) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and stepson Brent (Leah Anne) Rogers and their family.  He was predeceased by his wife Elaine (Dodds), his father Omund and mother Inga; brothers Melvin, Lloyd and Raymond, sister Gladys; and granddaughter Shaye.

 In lieu of donations, it is the family’s request that ” You do something special with your loved ones”.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, Shellbrook SK. 306-747-2828.