Inger (Inga) Marie Jensine Andersen
Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandma Inger (Inga) Marie Jensine Andersen passed away Nov 12, 2024 at the age of 95.
Inga Hansen was born January 24, 1929 at her family home in Sønder Omme, Denmark, the youngest of 10 children.
At the age of 16, Inga set out into the world working as a nanny, housekeeper and kitchen help. While working at an Inn she would meet a young man named Anker Andersen.
Inga and Anker were married on April 8, 1950, welcoming their first daughter, Sussi soon after. In a true testament to Inga’s toughness, she left her job at a bakery at noon, gave birth to Sussi at 3 p.m. and was back to work two days later. The customers thought she had gone on vacation for a few days because they didn’t even know she was pregnant.
In the spring of 1951 Anker got an itch to take on a great adventure and he headed to Canada in search of farm work. When he got settled at a farm in Acadia Valley, AB, he sent for Inga.
In another demonstration of her amazing strength and courage, the then 21-year-old, packed up her baby and boarded a boat to New York City. With no money and not speaking any English, she somehow managed to get to Grand Central Station and then on a train to Toronto, Winnipeg and eventually Oyen where Anker was anxiously waiting.
The promise of a better life in Canada must have felt far from reality when Inga was shown the wooden cookhouse they would be living in. Over the first few years, they moved several times to different shacks and bunkhouses without any of the modern amenities she had left behind in Denmark. But Inga continued to work hard, learning the language and adjusting to life as a farm wife.
As they got settled in Canada, the family began to grow, welcoming three more daughters: Nancy, Sandra and Cindy. They worked their way up from renting to eventually owning their very own farm.
Sussi, Nancy and Cindy all settled nearby the family farm having daily coffee visits with their mom. Inga was also an active Grandma and her grandkids loved spending time with her, picking peas, checking cows and butchering chickens. She also shared her cultural traditions through many happy smorgasbords and Danish Christmas Eve meals.
Inga was thrilled when her youngest brother Christian also immigrated to Canada in 1961 and became a big part of the family. She also formed some incredibly close friendships in Acadia Valley that served as her extended family and support system.
Throughout her farming years and into retirement, Inga continued to grow her circle of friends, spending time playing cards and square dancing. Her and Anker also enjoyed many happy years wintering in Arizona and traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and several trips back to Denmark.
Inga’s hard work and resiliency brought her great success and served as an inspiring example to all that knew her. Her passing has left an unfillable hole in the Andersen family.
Inga will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Sussi and Craig White, Nancy and Gary Meers, Sandra and Mike Kolke and Cindy Stenger. She will also be fondly remembered by her 10 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Inga was predeceased by her husband Anker, her nine siblings and her son-in-law Leonard Stenger.
At Inga’s request, no funeral will be held. A family service will be planned at a later date.
The family would like to thank the doctors and the wonderful staff at the Oyen Lodge and Extended Care. They are so caring and kind to the residents and their families. We are very grateful for your dedication.
Memorial Donations may be directed to Oyen and District Health Care Foundation Oyen Residents Family Council Box 1 Oyen, Ab T0J2J0
To leave a message of condolence please visit ofsmacleans.com
Funeral Arrangements in the care of MacLean's Funeral Home in Oyen, AB.