Melvin Sigfrid Magnuson Obituary
Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend, Melvin Sigfrid Magnuson Sr. lost his courageous battle with cancer; Melvin passed away peacefully with family by his side the evening of August 2, 2024 at the age of 86.
Melvin will always be lovingly remembered by his children, Eileen (Ivan), Audrey, Susan (Jackson), Melanie (Dave) and Melvin Jr. (Leigha), his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Jaelin, Kelsey (Kyle, Cassandra Ann, Reyleigh and Ryker), Tyler (Kathleen), Bronze, Conrad (Ashley, Shaylee and Dax), Quintin, Justin (Karli, Hallie and Colter), Brittany (Ben), his sister Carol Thorkman, his brother-in-law Beattie Garden, his nieces and nephews and other extended family, as well as his two special dogs Lexie and Lacee.
Melvin was predeceased by his parents Sigfrid and Ethel Magnuson, Eva & Mervin Fontaine (sister & brother-in-law), Jans and Edna Magnuson (brother & sister-in-law), Signe Garden (sister), Norman Magnuson (brother), Bob Thorkman (brother-in-law), Janet Magnuson (niece) and Tel Rhine (grandnephew).
Melvin was born at home at Winfield, Alberta on April 9, 1938, to Sigfrid and Ethel (nee Linton) Magnuson who immigrated from Michigan, USA where he grew up on a farm just outside of Winfield, Alberta with his siblings – Eva, Jans, Signe, Norman and Carol. Melvin started his career working for the Alberta Forestry with his uncle Gaines Linton and then moved on to drive for Winfield Transport where he was able to enjoy some beautiful countryside. After leaving the area Melvin began his career with Parkland County, remaining there for many years before working with Ledcor where he retired at the ripe age of 74.
In his younger years he was always the life of the party, which he did live his life to its fullest every day. Melvin loved the simpler things in life which he had a passion for farming, the outdoors, his John Deere tractors, fishing, gardening, bowling and on occasion heading to bingo to visit with friends and most of all his family. Some of his most memorable times were heading off to Peerless Lake with friends and family (Bert, Perry, Lorie, Barry John, George & Audrey), staying connected with family, Lutefisk dinner or the traditional singing us happy birthday (grattis på födelsedagen) in Scandinavian. Saying goodbye Dad (hejdå pappa) is hard, so until we meet again (tills vi träffas igen), we hope that the cherished animals, family members and friends that left before you were there to greet you. May your garden be big, your sunflowers tall and the lake, calm with plenty of fish.
In keeping with Melvin’s wishes he will be laid to rest in the Winfield cemetery alongside family in heaven: a journey into eternal peace and love. Melvin requested that no funeral or service be held but if desired a memorial donation may be made directly to the Cancer Society.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the Misericordia Hospital for their care and compassion through the last stages of his life.
God saw that you were getting tired,
A cure was not to be.
So He put his arms around you
and whispered, “Come with Me.”
With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer,
And saw you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes “the best.”
