ANDERSON, Mildred Rosalia (nee JOA)

August 1, 1929 – April 7, 2015

Mildred Rosalia Anderson (nee Joa) of Red Deer passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 85 years young in the Lacombe Hospital. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our deeply devoted and loving Mom and "Gran". We will forever be as proud of her as she was of us. Nothing fulfilled Mildred more than attending Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, volunteering in her community, taking long walks, shopping and visiting with family and friends.

Mildred was born in Nokomis, Saskatchewan to Adam Michael Joa and Sarah Helena (nee Vonderloh). She was the youngest girl of 12 children and was raised on a farm in Lockwood, Saskatchewan. She moved to Red Deer, AB in 1951 after completing high school, and worked as a telephone operator for Alberta Government Telephones where she met her husband. Mildred and Ralph (Andy) were married in Nokomis, SK on Oct. 2, 1954. She devoted her life to the service of others, excelling at raising two sons and one daughter, and serving her community through volunteer work at Canadian Blood Services, Valley Park Nursing Home, Red Deer Regional Hospital Center and the CWL. Her volunteering spirit earned her a trip to Ottawa in 2012 to receive the HEART OF GOLD Award from Canadian Blood Services. She also received the Mayor's Recognition Award in 2013, among many other volunteering recognitions over the years.

Mildred is predeceased by her husband Ralph Albert “Andy” Anderson in July, 1996, infant daughter Anne Marie in March, 1955, her parents and 7 siblings.

She will be sadly missed by her children and their families: Larry (Pamela) Anderson of Florence SC. (Scott of Raleigh NC.), Bruce (Krista) Anderson of Chilliwack BC (Jennifer of Vancouver, BC. and Charlene of Grande Prairie, AB.), Sandra Porttin of Red Deer (Brittany and Randy Schuurman of Fort Assiniboine, Tasha of Jasper, Kara of Red Deer and Nolan of Red Deer); three great-grandchildren (Anneliese, Ottilia and Henrik Schuurman), 2 sisters in Sask., 2 brothers in AB., as well as numerous nieces and nephews and all those that were fortunate enough to have known her. We will forever be thankful to her for filling our hearts and minds with her love, wisdom, humor, and stories that will continue to be told by all of us that loved her.

Memorial services and mass will be celebrated at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5508-48th Avenue, Red Deer AB on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 11:00AM. A CWL hosted luncheon will follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Blood Services would be appreciated. Prayers will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 7PM at Parkland Funeral Home on Taylor Drive, Red Deer, AB.