ROGERS, Alma
(nee Rempel, Nasserden)
April 20, 1926 – May 29, 2023
With a loving goodbye and sigh of relief, Alma Susie Rogers passed away in Calgary, Alberta surrounded by her loyal family on May 29, 2023 at the age of 97. She was predeceased by her parents Susanna and John Rempel; brothers John, Gerhard, and Albert; and sister Hilda. She is survived by her sisters Agnes and Laura. Predeceased by her son Gerald and her daughter Connie, she was also a beloved mother to Marilyn (Martin), Les, Harold, Doug, Marg (Paul), Irene (Paco), and Audrey (Kurt).
Her unconditional love was given freely to her grandchildren: Georg (Kaitlin), Penny (Kevin), Brett, Dillon, Aaron (Catherine), Jonathan (Lauren), Joel, Jerilyn (Tyrell), Carla, and Lisa. She rejoiced in the youthful smiles of her great-grandchildren: Emily, William, Jesse, and Holly. Alma also cherished her extended family and close friends.
Born into a Mennonite family in Langham, Sask., Alma spent her carefree childhood in Rosthern, Sask.
After graduating from Rosthern Jr. College in 1945, she set off to the big city of Saskatoon to go to Normal School. Always surrounded by lots of friends in her youth, she shone playing sports like running, high jump, hockey, basketball, and softball – her competitive spirit already beginning to reveal itself. Teaching in a one-room schoolhouse near Asquith, she met a handsome articulate farmer named Ed while traveling on a train. After a quick courtship, they married in 1948 and she gave up her education career to be a full-time wife and mother. They moved to a farm, and then to Warman. Their house began to fill up with children and once Ed was elected as a Member of Parliament, they lived in Ottawa from 1958 to 1965.
Alma and Queen Elizabeth II led parallel lives being born one day apart (April 20, 1926 and April 21, 1926 respectively) and dying within a year of each other. In 1964, Alma wrote an article in the Saskatchewan Valley News about her honour of being presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa where she curtsied and they shook hands as per royal protocol. It was a thrilling time for Alma.
In 1965, Alma and Ed returned to Saskatoon, and then in 1973 to an acreage just outside Saskatoon. Life got complicated and they separated in 1975, eventually divorcing. Alma and the kids moved to Calgary with the help of her supportive siblings, especially her brother Albert, who bought a duplex for Alma and her kids to live in. Alma worked as a nurse’s aid to support her children through their teens. The house was full of family discussions, piano music, family dinners, competitive card and board games, and loving kindness. Alma moved to Victoria, B.C. in 1981. The social butterfly emerged as did her feisty zest for life. She entered bridge, carpet bowling and lawn bowling tournaments. She played to win! Always a good sport, she had many friends, and a few very close friends. All the while, welcoming visits from and sometimes traveling with her sisters, children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. She wrote poetry, newspaper articles, books, and original greetings – always making other people feel a personal connection with her. In 2013, she returned to Calgary to be closer to her children.
Alma Rogers was an athletic, intelligent, loving, family-oriented, resilient, independent woman. Her life was so full that it is impossible to mention everything that was so special about her, and everyone who was so special to her. She will be missed dearly. We were lucky to have her open our hearts and inspire our spirits.
A private Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held in June 2023.