Obituary of Ethel Irene Johnsen

With sad hearts the family of Ethel Irene Johnsen announce that she passed away peacefully on Friday, April 28, 2017, at the age of 86 years.

Ethel was born in Innisfail March 29, 1931 to Roy and Edith Oxtoby.  She moved to Calgary to attend Holy Cross Nursing School, where she graduated in 1952. She married her husband Bob in November 1952 and together, they raised four children, Laurie, Kathie (Jerry), Wayne (Sue), and Joanne (Rob). She returned to work at the Grace Hospital, surgical unit, in 1966 until her retirement.  Ethel remained good friends with her RN friends, Joyce Odell, Doreen Petersen, Marilyn Kucheravy, and her long time friends Gordon and Boots Pedersen. Ethel’s family was very important to her.  She was especially fond of her grandkids, Michael, Daniel, Heather and Tracy. Ethel had many fond memories of the time she and her husband spent at the cabin they built in BC.  She loved her home, going for bike rides, baking, cross stitching, sewing and knitting. She generously shared her crafts with many people.

Ethel was predeceased by her husband Bob on July 16, 2016; son Wayne in 1987; brothers Art, Chester and Fred Oxtoby; and her sister-in-law Vivian Groshko.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Gathering to celebrate the special life Ethel and Bob had together.  It will be held at CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4th Street N.W., (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.