Obituary of Edwin "Ed" Grue

Mr. Edwin "Ed" Nelius Grue of Camrose, formerly of Armena, passed away on Tuesday June 14, 2016 at the age of 95 years. Ed was born on January 4, 1921 at Czar, Alberta. He was the fourth child of Oscar and Annie Grue and brother to Bethora, Doris, Evert and Marvin. Ed was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Czar. Ed and his brother Evert farmed together from 1939 to 1942 in the Czar area. Back in those days, they only had horses to help them with the work. In 1943 Ed moved near Armena, Alberta where he rented a farm until 1948. Growing up Ed became friends with Lloyd Williams. Lloyd had a younger sister named Pearl who worked at the local Red and White store in Hughenden. Edwin and Pearl attended the same church, became friends and soon were an item. With such close family ties the two did not have much privacy during their courting. However, Pearl had a key to the store where they retreated during a severe winter storm on February 14, 1943. Edwin proposed to Pearl at the store on Valentines Day and that is how their love story began. Ed and Pearl were married on October 24, 1943 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Czar following the Sunday morning service. Pearl's Dad, Andrew, requested the wedding take place on a Sunday so that he did not have to stop harvesting. Pearl's family always treated Sunday as a day of rest spent together as a family. Ed and Pearl resided in Armena where they farmed and, soon after, started their family. They were blessed with four children. Karen (1944), Dale (1946), Dell (1951) and Brian (1953). They enjoyed day trips to Miquelon Lake, tenting holidays to visit relatives and Sunday visits with neighbors and friends. Time spent together with family and friends was always a priority. In 1948 Ed and Pearl, along with his brother Evert, purchased the Armena General Store. After the sale of the store Ed began trucking and driving the school bus until 1951. This was followed by a 30-year career working in the oil patch. From 1951 to 1965 Ed was the Sunday School Superintendent at Scandia Lutheran Church. He also worked with the Boy Scouts as an Assistant Cub Master for a few years. Music was Dad's passion. Along with Evert Grue, Vernon Lyseng and Bert Lomnes they started a men's quartet. Ed and Evert sang together as young boys and continued to do so at various functions until Evert passed in 2009. In 1965 after Karen and Dale were out on their own, Ed and Pearl, along with Dell, Brian and their young nephew Shane Williams, moved to Stettler. They enjoyed 15 years in Stettler while Ed worked for Gulf Oil. Ed was active on the church board, taught confirmation classes, sang in a men's quartet and was a member of the church and community choirs. Ed also joined the Gideons, which remained very important to him throughout his life. Ed and Pearl cherished the friendships they formed with their church and community friends while in Stettler. Throughout their lives Ed and Pearl were avid campers, loved the outdoors and took every opportunity to travel. One of their most memorable adventures was to Norway and Sweden in 1979 to research each of their families' histories. After retiring from Gulf Oil in 1980, Ed and Pearl moved to Camrose. Ed began another career working at Bethany until he fully retired in 1985. Shortly after, he and Pearl moved to Hillside Village where they enjoyed 19 years together. Ed and Pearl spent their golden years of retirement travelling to Hawaii, Alaska and throughout the United States. They were most happy, however, when spending weekends camping at The Ponderosa (The Petersen farm near Armena) with Ed's brother Evert and his wife Ruth. Together, they entertained friends and family every chance they got. Another passion of Dad's was horses and he loved to share this lifelong hobby with his family and friends. He taught several of his grandchildren how to ride on his horses Lightning and Queenie that he kept at his friend's farm near Stettler. Later in life he treated both family and friends to sleigh rides in the winter and buggy rides in the warmer months. Much to his daughter's chagrin, Dad purchased and then broke two black Percherons with his friend, Bob Blair, at the age of 88. This was something he always dreamed of doing and, in true Ed Grue form, he did it! Another highlight was the opportunity to partake in the Make a Wish Trail Ride in Kananakis in celebration of Dad's 90th birthday in 2011. Dad led the way in a four-hour trail ride along with 14 family and friends on the most beautiful sun filled summer day. In 2012 Pearl's health declined and she moved to Sunrise Village. A few months later Ed moved into Deer Meadows Lodge and started a new chapter in his life. Dad was a wonderful father, a loyal and devoted husband, a caring and active grandfather and a trusted friend. His love was unconditional. He was thankful to have celebrated 71 years of marriage with Pearl. Dad was healthy and active throughout his life and in his last few days was surrounded by family and friends at the hospital. Dad always had a big smile on his face and a twinkle in his blue eyes. He was loved and admired by everyone who met him. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Karen Hansen, sons Dale Grue (Donna), Dell Grue (Jo) and Brian Grue (Pat). Seven grandchildren, Lori Hansen (Brad), Cathy Mowat (Wade), Jennifer Trydal (Chris), Michael Grue (Raquel), Waylon Grue, Kyra Grue and Liam Grue. Six great grandchildren Wyatt Mowat, Mason Trydal, Amy Mowat, Nevaya Grue, Adelina Trydal and Ayden Grue. Ed is also survived by his brother Marvin Grue and sisters in law Ruth Grue and Madelaine Williams and numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Ed was predeceased by his parents Oscar and Annie Grue, his sisters Bethora and Doris, his brother Evert, sister in law Ruth Johnson and brothers in law Lloyd Williams, Clayton Williams and Lloyd Johnson. The love of his life, Pearl, passed away on August 6, 2015. They are all now reunited in heaven. Thank you for all the great memories. A funeral service was held on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm from Messiah Lutheran Church with Rev. Calvin Skriver officiating. Interment has taken place in the Scandia Lutheran Cemetery, Armena. Should family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute, Messiah Lutheran Church in Camrose, Alberta, The Gideons International in Canada, Hastings Lake Lutheran Bible Camp or a charity of your choice.