Laila “Norma” Arnestad

It is with sadness that we announce that Norma passed away peacefully in Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, on February 20, 2017 at the age of 93 years.  She was born to Knute and Amanda Gjesdal on November 3, 1923 and lived on the farm in the Lake Park District.   She attended school at Lake Park, Birch Hills, S.L.B.I. (now L.C.B.I.)  in Outlook, SK,  and business college.  She worked for C.K.B.I. Radio, Moffats and Bell’s in Prince Albert, SK, and married Verner Arnestad  on November 3, 1947.  They farmed in the Hagen area and raised four children:  Louise (Stewart) Adams of Birch Hills, Robert (Terry) Arnestad of Hagen, Joan (John) Ondrusek of Saskatoon and Peter (Kathy) Arnestad of Hagen.  She loved and enjoyed their 11 grandchildren and 9 great- grandchildren.  She was a dedicated and hard-working wife and mother who enjoyed her housework, sewing, gardening, playing piano, and travel.  Her moto was “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” and she took great pride in having her family well fed and clothed.  She was the church organist for fifteen years at Saron Lutheran Church.  Norma and Verner moved to Kelowna, B.C. in 1977 when Verner semi-retired but still returned to seed and harvest each spring and fall.  They moved to Saskatoon to be near the farm and family, to Birch Hills and back to Saskatoon.  She was warm-hearted, kind and truly enjoyed the company of their family and many dear friends and relatives over the years wherever they lived.  A Celebration of Norma’s life will be held at Birch Hills Lutheran Church at 2 pm,  Saturday, February 25, 2017.  Memorial donations may be given to Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp, Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute, or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium.  Brian and Bev Stobbs, Tracy-Lynn Switzer, Funeral Directors.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MacKenzieChapel.ca  306.763.8488.

• Date : 2017-02-20