Obituary of Lenard Ray Cunningham
Lenard Ray Cunningham
(December 19, 1933 - April 9, 2024)
Lenard was born on December 19, 1933, to Wilbur and Marie Cunningham. He was raised on the family farm southwest of Kelsey, attending school at Albury and later in Rosalind. After high school he attended Vermilion School of Agriculture for two years.
On October 24, 1960, Lenard married Rosemarie Davis of Daysland. They lived in Lenard’s parents’ yard until buying their own farm 5 miles to the east of the home place in 1965.
Farming was his passion, there was nothing better than to spend a day working alongside his wife and kids. Lenard and Rosemarie worked side by side in every aspect of farming. Harvest was always his favorite time of the year. He loved farming with his sons right up until his passing.
In later years, when he couldn’t be out at the farm, he became quite tech savvy and followed along on his iPad watching the boys seed or combine. But most of all enjoyed the daily texts or phone calls from the boys reporting the plans for the day or the progress they had achieved. He looked forward to these updates every day.
Lenard also loved his road trips to see his girls whether it was a short trip to Sherwood Park or a longer journey up to Grande Prairie. Sometimes these road trips took him to see the mountains where he loved to stay in a cabin with his family and enjoy the laughter and love of those around him. Other times it was spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren watching their many activities.
The community was always very important to Lenard and Rosemarie, and they were involved as much as possible by lending a helping hand wherever needed. Recreation also played a big part in Lenard’s life, from playing for the Kelsey baseball team to curling and occasionally big game hunting whenever time allowed.
Lenard and Rosemarie moved off the farm in 2015 into Camrose where they enjoyed this new chapter of their lives, but their hearts never left the farm. Lenard’s faith in God shaped how he lived his daily life. The last couple of years, as his journey became more difficult, he relied more and more on his family and faith. He was a pillar of strength in a gentle and humble way.
Lenard passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the age of 90 years. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 63 years, Rosemarie; children Doug (Carrie), Darlene (Joe Brausen), Mark (Heather), Louise James, and Jason (Mandy Strowger); eleven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Lenard is survived by his brother Neil (Keitha); and sister-in-law Mary.
He was predeceased by his parents, Wilbur and Marie Cunningham; infant sister Jean; brother Jim; and sisters Fran McDonald and Carol Christenson.
Prayers were held 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2024 from the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, 3605 50 St Camrose. A Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, 3605 50 St Camrose celebrated by Father Kris Schmidt.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Lenard's memory may be made to the St. Francis Xavier Church Building Fund or to the Battle River Community Foundation.
