Lundgren, Reinhold Eric, beloved husband of Ida Lundgren of Vulcan, Alberta passed away Thursday May 8, 2003 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 86 years.
Reinhold was born October 24, 1916 on the family homestead south east of Vulcan to Peter and Ida Lundgren. While growing up, he attended Thigh Hill School and later took a job doing janitor work there. Eventually he saved up enough money to buy his first pair of long pants. In 1927, he became the “flunky” for his father’s threshing rig, eventually servicing the separator. At thirteen years of age, he learned to operate a combine, and as a teen, Reinhold had a variety of jobs. He worked for neighbors, trucked gas for the Lund Service Station in Vulcan and hauled grain to the elevators for local farmers. At age nineteen his farming career as a farmer began when he rented farm land from Hans Lundgren and Mrs. Salstrom.
On September 23, 1939 Reinhold married Ila Davis in at the family farm in Reid Hill District. Their first home was on a rented farm eight miles south of Vulcan. In 1941 they moved twelve miles northeast of Vulcan. Reinhold continued to rent land for the next three years and in the fall of 1943 they purchased the former Lloyd Munson farm which was located eight miles east of Vulcan. In 1944 he built a feed lot on the farm and began his mixed farming operation. He raised cattle, pigs and chickens but he was primarily a grain farmer.
In 1956 Reinhold purchased a school bus which he drove for the next twenty-three years transporting children from Reid Hill and Vulcan schools. Reinhold retired in 1974 but continued to assist with the farming operation. Reinhold and Ila lived at the family farm for 57 years, until he moved into the Extendicare in Vulcan.
Reinhold loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing special times with each and everyone of them and took pride in their accomplishments. He also shared a unique relationship with his friends and was renowned for his pranks and practical jokes. He kept his sense of humor with him right into the Extendicare, where he continued to joke with the nurses and staff there.
Beloved husband of wife Ila of Vulcan, loving father of a daughter Louise (Wayne) Cutforth of Calgary, three sons Lawrence (Bev) of Balzac, David (Diane) of Vulcan, Garry (Bev) of Red Deer, ten grandchildren Devon (Rob) Lavigne, Lisa (Mark) Andserson, Shane Lundgren, Koreen (Aaron) Preece, Cory Lundgren, Jeff (Edie) Lundgren, Lia (Rod) Kurylo, Marla Lundgren, Jason Lundgren and Christopher Lundgren, three step-grandchildren James Hektner, Jamie Hektner and Tarryl Hektner, a sister Mildred (Nick) Ricciutti, a sister-in-law Clista Heather, niece Luella Lind, special family friend Ada Cutforth, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren and friends.
Reinhold was predeceased by two infant sisters, grandson Grant Reinhold Lundgren and parents, Peter and Ida Lundgren.
Funeral service Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Christ, Vulcan with Rev. Doug Barrie officiating.
Honorary bearers Elwood Meyers, Brian Todd, Wayne Ericksen, Terry White, Johnny Roebuck and Allan Deal.
Casket bearers Shane Lundgren, Jeff Lundgren, Jason Lundgren, Christopher Lundgren, Rob Lavigne and Rod Kurylo.
Internment Vulcan Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Reinhold’s memory can be made to either Vulcan Extendicare Auxiliary, Box 810, Vulcan T0L 2B0 or Vulcan & District Ambulance Service, Box 299, Vulcan T0L 2B0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.