Nora Andersen

Mrs. Nora Andersen of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. John Andersen, passed away peacefully at Adaptacare in Lethbridge on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the age of 100 years. Nora will be dearly missed by her daughter, Phyllis Hutchinson (Lynden); son, Raymond Andersen (Lynn); as well as her grandchildren, Karen Gilchrist (Keith); Geoffrey Hutchinson (Sarah); Sarah Andersen (Jason); and her great-grandchildren, Orion and Quinn Gilchrist; Mackenzie, Madeleine, and Johanna Hutchinson.
Nora was predeceased by her parents, Olaf and Marie Jensen; John, her husband of 55 years; her youngest daughter, Jean Andersen; and her sister, Paula Ostergard.
Nora was born in Jutland, Denmark, on September 22, 1922, the youngest daughter of Olaf and Marie Jensen. The family immigrated to Canada in March of 1928. They eventually settled on a farm near Rockyford, where Nora enjoyed attending school.
In 1942, she married John Andersen and moved to the Dalum Corner southeast of Drumheller, Alberta – across from the Danish Lutheran Church. There, they worked together for more than 25 years as owner-operators of John's Corner Service, a farm supply and fuel dealership. Not only was Nora involved in the day-to-day operations of the business, but her excellent cooking also meant that many travelling salesmen made sure they would be at John's Corner Service for the noon meal.
She and John were instrumental in founding and establishing local schools and classrooms in Drumheller for children with intellectual disabilities. Then, because there was no such accommodation in their local school district, Nora drove Jean to and from school in Drumheller - 21 kilometers away – for all the years of Jean's schooling.
Nora was a member of the Dalum Friendship Club, a lively group of young women who cooked and served wedding banquets, organized community dances, and put on "talent shows." When John and Nora became Jeep dealers in the early 60's, they joined a Calgary Jeep club and spent many weekends with those wonderful friends, exploring the foothills and mountains west of Calgary. When they moved to Airdrie in the late 60's, they made new friends by joining a square dance club. Nora also worked for Sears in Calgary as well as Metz Real Estate.
In 2006, Nora and Jean moved to Lethbridge. After Nora found a home for Jean at Ruah House, the two of them would enjoy regular outings around town, shopping, eating out, or just relaxing in Nora's condo. After Jean died, Nora moved to Black Rock Terrace. The caring people at Black Rock Terrace and, later, at Adaptacare, her last home in Lethbridge, helped make her final years comfortable and less lonely.
She will be remembered for her quick wit, love of poetry, home-cooked meals, and dedication to family and community.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at MARTN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, with Dr. Bruce Martin, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following:
L'Arche Association of Lethbridge, 240 - 12C Street North, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1H 2M7.
DaCapo Disability Services, 1107 – 2A Avenue North, Lethbridge, Alberta T1H 0E6.