KROMM - Natalie (Tolly)
Tolly passed away at the Stettler Hospital and Health Care Centre on August 21, 2010 at the age of 90 years after a short battle with lung cancer. Tolly was born on April 15, 1920 in the town of Hemaruka, Alberta.
Tolly was raised and attended school in the Hemaruka and Veteran areas. She met and married Elmer Connor on December 7, 1937. To this union, three daughters were born: Millie, Norma and Marie and they were raised on the family farm. During the late 1940's the family moved to a farm south of Stettler and continued farming.Tolly was kept very busy with her huge garden and the chickens she raised. In the early 1960's, Tolly and Elmer moved to Stettler and then shortly there after divorced. Tolly then met her second husband, Gerald Kromm and after many years together they married on October 12, 1974. In 1975, Tolly and Gerald made the big move to Consort where they lived for 27 years. They truly enjoyed their time in Consort but finally moved back to Stettler in 2001 to be closer to the ever growing family here. After Gerald's passing in 2005, Tolly finally made the move to Willow Creek where she resided until she got sick and she spent the last few months in the Stettler Hospital. Tolly was an avid gardener both with her flowers and vegetables. She always had a garden big enough for several families and got so much enjoyment out of canning and freezing as many things as she could. She loved cooking and baking right up to the time she moved into Willow Creek. There was never a day that the family left her place without her sending some of her canning, freezing, cooking or baking home with them.
Another of Tolly's hobbies was playing cards. Many an hour over the years were spent playing cards with her family and friends and she even learned how to play Texas Hold'em in her eighties and absolutely loved it. She loved watching curling and baseball on TV. Before her arthritis got bad, she crocheted many beautiful afghans for her family.Tolly lived for all her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She LOVED babies and children. She was the happiest when they were around her.
The last of 14 children, Tolly was predeceased by her five brothers and eight sisters and her parents as well as her daughter, Marie in 2002, her husband, Gerald in 2005 and her son-in-law, Ted and grandson, Darcy in 2007. Tolly is survived by her two daughters: Norma (Jim) MacDonald, Stettler and Millie (Ken) Wayne, Parksville, BC; her nine grandchildren: Michelle (Dick) Bowles, Stettler, Michael MacDonald, Stettler, Gary Bjornson, Whitecourt, Vern (Renee) Bjornson, Calgary, Barry Bjornson, Vancouver, BC, Carl (Tracy) Bjornson, Sherwood Park, Rick (Pat) Leicht, Whitecourt, Bill (Candice) Leicht, Stettler, Leanne (Niel) Thiel, Stettler, her granddaughter-in-law: Debbie Leicht, Calgary and her special 18 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home on August 26, 2010 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Debbie Stockdale officiating. Mr. Dick Bowles presented the eulogy. The Great Great grandchildren Brodey Bowles, Chariti Dahl, Natalie Bowles, Kenton Marshall, Landon Marshall and Hayleigh Marshall presented memories of Great Great grandma Tolly. Elaine Hennel played for the congregational hymns. Michelle Bowles presented a prerecorded letter to Nana of all of her memories along with the song "Wind Beneath My Wings." The Recessional Music "Take My Hand Precious Lord" by Elvis was played as Tolly was taken to Lake View Cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her beloved Gerald. Dick and Michelle Bowles were Pallbearers.
Family and friends gathered in the Heartland Reception Centre for a time of sharing stories and a luncheon by Pass the Pepper. If friends desire memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation in Tolly's name. Condolences may be sent to the family at sfchapel@telusplanet.net
STETTLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM
entrusted with the care and arrangements