LENSTRA, Anna Helen (nee Driedger)

April 29, 1950 – September 4, 2021

Anna Helen Lenstra passed away on Sept 4th, 2021 peacefully at her home, with her family by her side, in Calgary Alberta. She leaves behind, her husband Nick, her son Christopher, her daughter-in-law Loy Bartusek, her cherished granddaughter Charlize Lillian Lenstra (Charlie), as well as many friends, nieces and nephews, and cousins, whom she loved so very much.

Anna was born in Herbert, Saskatchewan on April 29, 1950, to George and Helen Driedger. At the age of four they moved to Wembley, Alberta where the family continued to farm through Anna’s teenage years. At 17, she went to Abbottsford, BC with relatives, and later to Edmonton Alberta to support her urge to travel. It was while working at the University of Alberta in administration in 1970 that she met her husband to be, but not before she made that trip of a lifetime to Europe. Anna moved to Calgary in 1973 while Nick was still working in Alaska and NWT, where they were married on Oct, 11th, 1975. After the birth of their son Chris in 1977, Anna initiated a move to Rocky Mountain House, Alberta where she supported her husband to start their own company, Lalen Consulting Ltd. During their time there Anna got the opportunity to design and build her own home and a summer home in Invermere, BC and caught the love for decorating and for dachshund dogs. In 1984 they made the return to Calgary, first in Ranchlands, and then at the present address in Hawkwood in 1992. She has had a dachshund dog ever since, first Tinkerbell, then Meggy and JJ, and lastly Polly, and has loved every one to pieces. Anna was a very strong lady who lived by her beliefs every day and continually looked to help those less fortunate. It was through many of these efforts that she will be remembered by the many friends and acquaintances that she touched so sincerely along the way; both in Canada and abroad. In her later years she looked after her mother in Abbottsford till she passed away in 2008 and her dear brother who recently passed away in 2020 in Calgary. She longed to travel more in her last years, loved cruises, new places to visit and new friends to make. She will be with us on every trip we make in the future. God bless her and keep her, till we all meet again.

There will be a “celebration of life” for Anna, an open house from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Silver Springs Golf and Country Club in Calgary on Saturday, October 16th after Thanksgiving weekend. Lunch and refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon. Entry, as is the policy of the Golf course, will require proof of vaccination(s) at the door. People are free to come and go, at any time, and a microphone will be set up after 2:00 PM for anyone to speak to the assembled guests, of their thoughts and stories of Anna’s impact on their lives.

Anna would wish friends and relatives to make donations to their favorite charity in lieu of flowers, or: donations that will be matched by the family, can be made to her ‘foundation’ below. Donations over $50 will receive a tax receipt and can be directed to:

Benefaction: ‘The Hydrangea Helen Foundation’ c/o R & R Investment Partners, 27th Flr. – 500 Centre St SE., Calgary, AB, T2G 1A6, Attn: Melanie Bester.

Arrangements entrusted to Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director

Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039

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  1. On 07/10/2021 at 4:41 pm Lori Thorleifson Said:

    I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. Anne will be deeply missed. Sending love.

  2. On 09/10/2021 at 2:14 pm Sylvia Krogh Said:

    To Nick and Chris – I will miss Anne’s friendly presence at family events. I am so sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Sylvia & Alan

  3. On 10/10/2021 at 9:05 am Glen Hannaford Said:

    Nick & Chris –
    Nick – sorry to read about your loss of Ann
    Meanwhile I that all is well with you,
    Glen (of Colt Vintage)

  4. On 11/10/2021 at 10:46 am Ron and Carol-Anne Said:

    We shared many enjoyable times in Edmonton, Calgary and Timber Ridge that we will always remember this fine lady by.
    Keep the memories alive. Ron and CA

  5. On 11/10/2021 at 4:27 pm Keith and Cathie Newmarch Said:

    Dear Nick and family,
    We are sorry to hear of Anne’s passing. We have very fond memories of fun times shared with you both as young folks!
    Our thoughts and condolences to all.

  6. On 12/10/2021 at 11:26 am Bob and Eleanor Masters Said:

    Dear Nick and Family;

    We are so sorry to hear that Anne has passed away. Though we haven’t reconnected in the last few years, we remember you both as a vibrant and loving couple – full of life and fun.

    Our thoughts and condolences to you and your family.

  7. On 15/10/2021 at 4:39 pm Judith & Michael Said:

    We are so sorry to read in the National Post of the passing of Anna Helen. Our hearts go out to a fellow Dachshund lover. We have loved dachsies , just like your Anna. She is a special lady, for sure!
    We are donating $50 to the Alberta Dachshund Rescue in Anna’s name because she was one awesome lady.

    Judi & Mike

  8. On 15/10/2021 at 7:55 pm Dennis Wilson Said:

    Dear Nick and Chris,

    Sincere condolences on the loss of your wife and mother. Thinking of you in your time of grief and sorrow.

  9. On 16/10/2021 at 12:14 am Judy Teare Said:

    Dear Nick and Chris
    My sincerely sympathy to you both. Ann was a very special person in my life over the past few years. Her wonderful laugh and sense of humour will be very much missed. She had such a big heart! I will miss her dearly.

  10. On 16/10/2021 at 9:49 am John Kingsbury Said:

    Dear Nick and Chris

    Our condolences and thoughts go to you and your family. It has been a long time since we have been together, but the memories of Ann and yourselves are still fresh from the times we spent together in Rocky Mountain House and Calgary.

    John, Maureen, Jennifer and Bryan

  11. On 19/10/2021 at 3:37 pm David J Beattie Said:

    Hi Nick.
    I was so sorry to hear of Anne’s passing. I often wondered how you were doing since our days of meeting at North Canadian. I was planning to come to the remembrance at Silver Springs but on the day before I was notified that I had been exposed to people who had been exposed to Covid.
    Our most sincere sympathies to you.
    Dave and Ann Beattie