Obituary for Marion Drastrup Anderson
Marion Drastrup Anderson
July 9th, 1933 - Friday, December 9th, 2022
Marion D. Anderson, beloved mother of Darcy G. Anderson of Calgary, Alberta, passed away in Calgary on Friday, December 9, 2022 at the age of 89 years.
Marion is survived by her daughter Darcy Anderson; her sister Edith Sorensen; nieces (especially Lona Sorensen, Delores Jensen, and Lila Jensen) and nephews; step-children (especially Bonnie Anderson); step-nieces and nephews; step grandchildren; step great-grandchildren (especially Amanda Roberts); step great great-grandchildren, and long-time family friends. Marion was predeceased by her parents Soren and Emily Jensen; her brothers Robert, Svend, and Arne Jensen; her sister Bodil Gundersen; her first husband Joseph Gregory Saske; and her second (and third) husband Harold Joseph (Andy) Anderson.
Marion lived an active life until 2011, when her descending aorta started causing trouble. She also kept breaking her kneecap. The broken kneecap eventually confined her to a wheelchair, and then Long Term Care at the Bow View Manor.
In December 2021, doctors at the Foothills Hospital said Marion was going to die of her inoperable fourth bowel obstruction at any moment and certainly, in no longer than two days. Her situation was hopeless, they said.
A nurse who was in the room when the doctors said Marion’s situation was hopeless stayed until the doctors left, and told Marion that no situation was hopeless, and they prayed together.
Marion and her daughter Darcy took advantage of the two day sentence and held each other, cried, loved, reminisced, and said goodbye, for the two days. Marion lived another year.
Marion was very hard working, slowing down only when wheel-chair bound, although she still managed to “play in the dirt” as she called gardening. She was also incredibly brave, not allowing her terror of darkness and wild beasts lurking there unseen to prevent her from protecting tent-bound, terrified children, or stomping three miles home from a church dance in high heels on a gravel road in the middle of the night, having been left behind by her brother. Taking helicopter rides into a volcano, or up to the magnificent Mount Assiniboine there and back, were occasions of wonder and excitement, not fear.
Marion enjoyed hiking, downhill skiing, gardening, bird watching, photography, Christmas (cards, decorating, and baking cookies), jam making, preparing pickled red cabbage for the feast days, traditional Christmas carols, and the music of Nana Mouskouri. She was a voracious reader, especially of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
Marion was very proud of her Danish heritage and shared it with family and friends. Marion visited Denmark when she was 14 and 18 years old with her parents, and then in 2007 with her daughter. They both loved the incredible “Land of the Open Hearts,” and the scent of roses along every roadway.
Marion was able to go to Hawaii three times, having discovered it truly was Paradise.
It was always a dream to return to Denmark and Hawaii for just one more visit.
Marion has been cremated. It is hoped that a Celebration of Marion's Life may be held in the summer, date and particulars to be announced.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Marion please visit www.choicememorial.com.
July 9th, 1933 - Friday, December 9th, 2022
Marion D. Anderson, beloved mother of Darcy G. Anderson of Calgary, Alberta, passed away in Calgary on Friday, December 9, 2022 at the age of 89 years.
Marion is survived by her daughter Darcy Anderson; her sister Edith Sorensen; nieces (especially Lona Sorensen, Delores Jensen, and Lila Jensen) and nephews; step-children (especially Bonnie Anderson); step-nieces and nephews; step grandchildren; step great-grandchildren (especially Amanda Roberts); step great great-grandchildren, and long-time family friends. Marion was predeceased by her parents Soren and Emily Jensen; her brothers Robert, Svend, and Arne Jensen; her sister Bodil Gundersen; her first husband Joseph Gregory Saske; and her second (and third) husband Harold Joseph (Andy) Anderson.
Marion lived an active life until 2011, when her descending aorta started causing trouble. She also kept breaking her kneecap. The broken kneecap eventually confined her to a wheelchair, and then Long Term Care at the Bow View Manor.
In December 2021, doctors at the Foothills Hospital said Marion was going to die of her inoperable fourth bowel obstruction at any moment and certainly, in no longer than two days. Her situation was hopeless, they said.
A nurse who was in the room when the doctors said Marion’s situation was hopeless stayed until the doctors left, and told Marion that no situation was hopeless, and they prayed together.
Marion and her daughter Darcy took advantage of the two day sentence and held each other, cried, loved, reminisced, and said goodbye, for the two days. Marion lived another year.
Marion was very hard working, slowing down only when wheel-chair bound, although she still managed to “play in the dirt” as she called gardening. She was also incredibly brave, not allowing her terror of darkness and wild beasts lurking there unseen to prevent her from protecting tent-bound, terrified children, or stomping three miles home from a church dance in high heels on a gravel road in the middle of the night, having been left behind by her brother. Taking helicopter rides into a volcano, or up to the magnificent Mount Assiniboine there and back, were occasions of wonder and excitement, not fear.
Marion enjoyed hiking, downhill skiing, gardening, bird watching, photography, Christmas (cards, decorating, and baking cookies), jam making, preparing pickled red cabbage for the feast days, traditional Christmas carols, and the music of Nana Mouskouri. She was a voracious reader, especially of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
Marion was very proud of her Danish heritage and shared it with family and friends. Marion visited Denmark when she was 14 and 18 years old with her parents, and then in 2007 with her daughter. They both loved the incredible “Land of the Open Hearts,” and the scent of roses along every roadway.
Marion was able to go to Hawaii three times, having discovered it truly was Paradise.
It was always a dream to return to Denmark and Hawaii for just one more visit.
Marion has been cremated. It is hoped that a Celebration of Marion's Life may be held in the summer, date and particulars to be announced.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Marion please visit www.choicememorial.com.