Leah Asplund

LEAH MAURINE (GODFREY) ASPLUND, of Picture Butte, passed away in Lethbridge on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. She was born on September 4, 1920 to Jerry and Annie Godfrey, pioneers of the Taber district. She was the ninth child in a family of eight daughters and a son. In January of 1941 Leah married Wendle Asplund of Barnwell, and in the years that followed they became the parents of fifteen children: James, Allan (Diane), Peter (deceased), Wendy Campbell (Darrel), Linda Mayne (Randy), Brock (deceased), Pat (Shirley), Susan Robbins (Glenn), Lauretta Olson (Tom), Joe (Deborah), Jaye (Annette), Mark (Kenna), Anita Duncan (Lake), Lisa Takaguchi (Don), Shirley Rene, and her son Peter's widow, Shirley. Also surviving are fifty-six grandchildren, including spouses, forty-three great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Wendle; her sons Brock and Peter; her parents and parents-in-law; her sisters and brother and a large extended family. From the time Leah's dad died during the Depression when she was a teenager until her passing, Leah's life has been one of dedicated and loving service to her family, friends, church and community. Along with the everyday challenges of raising a big family, Leah worked alongside Wendle, helping him with his farming. She drove the tractor and thinned sugar beets. When Wendle was absent for lengthy periods in the hospital for treatment of a tubucular hip, Leah took over the management of the farm. Added to these responsibilities were jobs as a school bus driver and a school custodian. Always on hand to give her moral support and varying degrees of actual work were her kids. A very special side of Leah was her enthusiasm. She loved to read, especially poetry, which she collected in scrapbooks, and from time to time recited. She was a great fan of all kinds of music, but especially that of the Beatles. At ninety, she was heard from the kitchen, singing 'Hey Jude' words and note perfect. And there were what she called her projects which included designing and making quilts and placements, handcrafting stationery from pressed flowers, making bookmarks, planning and carrying out family events and just being at home, the place she treasured the most. She was a child of the prairies, heart and soul. Leah was devoted to her family, her friends, her community and her church. The Pioneer Day which she planned for the L.D.S. Primary in Picture Butte was attended and enjoyed by children of all faiths. She gave hours of service to the Prairie Tractor Museum which was the perfect setting for her to get in touch with her past. All in all, Leah was a remarkable, much-loved lady, who led a remarkable life, and although she will be greatly missed, her memory will be cherished by all those whose paths crossed hers. Friends may meet the family on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at CHRISTENSEN SALMON GENERATIONS, 703-13 Street North, Lethbridge, or prior to the Funeral Service on Saturday at the church from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Picture Butte. Interment to follow in the Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge.

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