Obituary of Arnold Naslund

Arnold was born August 19, 1928 to Swedish immigrants Johann and Hildur Naslund, the second youngest of eight children. Arnold was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Wilhelmina Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm just east of Hay Lakes, and as a young man he met and married the love of his life and the center of his world - Margaret Forsen. They were married in 1955 and took over the family farm and remained there until their retirement in 1990 at which time they moved to Camrose. They began their family in 1956 with the birth of their first daughter Barbara and two years later a son Gordon. Then more additions to the family arrived with daughter Bonnie in 1963 and the baby of the family June who was born in 1966. The family was now complete and life on the farm was busy with raising pigs, chickens, cattle and grain. Although farming was Arnold's livelihood, his true passion was in carpentry. Every family member's household has numerous pieces of furniture made by Arnold. He enjoyed his woodworking shop at the farm and when they moved to Camrose he continued with his hobby where half the garage became a carpenter's cove complete with walls and floor covered in tools bought over a lifetime. He built numerous kitchen cabinets for surrounding neighbours (including those in Wilhelmina church), as well as coffee tables, curio cabinets, TV stands, china cabinets, dressers and many types of toys for his family and grandchildren. One of his greatest builds was the grandfather clock that took great time and precision - a family heirloom. Anything that could be made from wood - even things that you would not think could be made from wood, Arnold made it. All his children and grandchildren have something made by Dad and Grandpa. Arnold had a quiet but quick wit which continued with him until his last days. While in the hospital the technician was connecting his ECG and Arnold jokingly said to her "They brought me in for my leg [broken hip] but you are looking at my heart." He enjoyed reading history and did this often, and looked forward to many books for birthdays and Father's day. Dad complained little and had no regrets. Arnold passed away peacefully in his sleep late Monday night, June 22 at St. Mary's Hospital. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years Margaret, one son Gordon and his wife Joan and their three boys Derrick, Jonathan and Austin; daughter June and her husband Joe Stefanko and their daughter Jacqueline; his other grandchildren Brenda (Curtis), Charlene (Albert), Brian, Marie and Brittany; his great-grandchildren Ariel, Nora, Elsa and Axel; his brother in law Glen and his wife Betty Forsen, sister Sylvia and her husband Hilbert Lechelt, sister Alphid Sims and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter Bonnie in March 1994 at the age of 30, and Barbara in November 2013 at the age of 57, four brothers and one sister. A private family service has taken place. Inurnment has taken place in the Wilhelmina Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Wilhelmina Lutheran Church.