December 27, 1923
– July 10, 2009
Elene Montgomery passed away peacefully in Lethbridge, Alberta on July 10, 2009, with her family by her side. She was born in Wayne, Alberta on December 27, 1923 to Chris and Sophie Madsen, the second of three children. Her education started at Blue Spring School, half a mile from her home, she took one year by correspondence and completed her grade school in Drumheller. In 1941, she completed her Normal School and began her long and rewarding teaching career. She and Murray started their friendship by exchanging letters during World War II, and in 1948, they were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They eventually set their roots in the Drumheller Valley, first living in East Coulee and then Rosedale. In 1957, Loren was born. Elene taught school in the Drumheller Valley for 41 years, finally retiring in 1989. She and Murray bought a camper and travelled up the Alaska Highway, to Yellowknife and to Chicago. They spent many summer camping/fishing trips with Eleanora and Bill and families. Murray passed away in 2004. Elene remained in her Rosedale home until June 2009, when she moved to the Black Rock Terrace Lodge in Lethbridge, Alberta. She looked forward to meeting new people and spending more time with her Southern Alberta family. Elene is survived by her son, Loren, daughter-in-law, Janice and beloved granddaughter, Jenna; brother Bob Madsen; sister and brother-in-law Eleanora and Bill Vogt; nephews Grant and Echo Vogt, Tiger and Errol, Lisa and Mark Potvin, Amber and Aiden; Greg and Elaine Vogt, Hillary (Ali) and Colleen; Terry and Pam Vogt, Sheena and Kyle; nieces Suzanne and Darren McIntosh, Samara and Nikki; and Sherryl and Ed Loman, Justin, Jocelyn and Luke; brother- and sister-in-law Bill and Mira Montgomery and nephew Jamie, Chizuru and Sean, and other family and friends who are blessed to have known such a kind, caring and gentle woman. She was predeceased by her husband Murray, mother and father Chris and Sophie, and sister-in law Edesse Madsen. We will miss our dear mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, auntie and friend. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a local charity or organization or do something nice for a friend, neighbour or family member. Elene liked to donate to places where she could see her donations do some good and believed in the power of kindness. A Memorial to Celebrate Elene’s life will be held Saturday, August 29, 2009 between 2 - 4 pm at the Rosedale Hall. 28p
