Obituary of Effie Ferne Tollefsrud

Effie Ferne Coleman was born on Thursday, October 1, 1942 in Sexsmith, Alberta. She was the first of three girls that were born to Jeanne and Tim Coleman. The family spent their first years on the farm north of Sexsmith. Then in 1949, they moved to Spirit River. In 1955, they moved to Fairview where she met her lifelong friend Sheila. In 1958 Ferne's family moved to Hythe. Ferne became friends with Evelyn Tollefsrud; as a result she met Evelyn's brother Artie. Ferne and Artie dated for about a year and were married November 12, 1960. They lived in Artie's parent's old two room house. In 1961 the first of five children, Jenny was born, Timmy in 1962, Lois in 1963, and Brian in 1966. Ferne was kept busy packing water, hauling wood, washing clothes, freezing diapers, cleaning, cooking, taking care of her family and helping Artie outside. Ferne and Artie moved half a mile away to their own homestead and a few years later purchased Henry and Louise's place when they retired to Hythe. In 1973, their fifth child Debbie was born. Around the same time Artie became sick as a result the farm was sold and the family moved northeast of Hythe. In January 1993, Ferne lost her loving husband of 33 years after a courageous battle with ALS. Ferne went to work at the Hythe Liquor Store in 1994 which was very surprising to her kids because she had a strong distain for alcohol. She took great pride in running the store. Ferne had a green thumb. She loved growing vegetables and flowers, especially her sunflowers. She was an accomplished cook as well as a master canner who enjoyed feeding others. Ferne was a great seamstress who could sew anything from hemming to upholstery. She could knit, crochet, embroider, or anything she put her mind to. In 2010, Ferne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had hope and courage right up to the end. She lost a hard battle and never once complained or gave up. Ferne passed away peacefully on Monday, April 11th, 2011, at the age of 68 years in the Beaverlodge Hospital with her family by her side. She will be forever loved and missed by her family and friends. A memorial service was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Hythe, Alberta on Saturday, April 16, at 11:00 am, Pastor Ella Loberg officiated. Interment followed in the Hythe Cemetery, Hythe Alberta. Ferne is survived by her children; Jenny (Gary) Miller, Timmy (Marilyn) Tollefsrud, Lois (Jason) Wells, Brian (Rachel) Tollefsrud, Debbie (Jackie) Oakford, 15 Grandchildren and eight Great Grandchildren. Ferne was predeceased by; her loving husband of 33 years Arthur, Mother and Stepfather; Jeanne and Art Weller, Father Tim Coleman and her Sister Joyce Third. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ferne to the Beaverlodge Palliative Care Society, Box 480, Beaverlodge, Alberta T0H 0C0 Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium