Eleanor Ann Grainger (nee Alfstad) 1920-2025
“A limb has fallen from the family tree that says grieve not for me.
Remember the Best Times, the laughter, the song, the Good Life I lived while I was strong.”
--Author Unknown
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great-Great Grandmother, and friend to many on March 9, 2025, at the Everitt Gardens Continuing Care Home in St. Albert, Alberta. She was 104 years young!
Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, Iver and Anna Alfstad; husband William (Bill) Grainger; oldest son Larry Grainger; Grandson Kevin Grainger; sisters Ruth Binns, Florence Alfstad, Erna Waterton, Martha Dament, Francis Bonneville, Pearl Howe, June Schultz, Colleen Brezinski, and brother Dan Alfstad. She is survived by her children, Dennis Grainger and Gail (Rowena) Grainger; grandchildren Shelly (Rod) Cruse, Sean (Bina) Grainger, Marcy (Jose) Grainger, Jeff Grainger, Naomi (Jason) Taylor, Shawna (Shane) Greisinger, James (Christine) Grainger and John Grainger; 18 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren; her sister Donna Cojacar; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and long time friends.
She was born Anne Ellenor Alfstad in Ogema, Saskatchewan, on October 5, 1920, but was known as Eleanor Ann Grainger most of her life. Her family farmed in the Ogema area, and she attended school in Ogema. She, along with her large family, endured the extreme hardships of the Great Depression of the 1930s, known as the dirty thirties, which hit Saskatchewan hard. At an early age she fell in love with music, and many hours were spent singing and taking turns playing the piano, guitar, and violin with her sisters.
Eventually Eleanor met a farm boy from the area, William (Bill) Grainger, and they were married in Pangman, SK, February 17, 1941. They began farm life together on the Grainger homestead near Dahinda, SK, where they had 3 children together. Eleanor was a caring wife and mother, a meticulous homemaker, and a fabulous cook! The family first moved to Assiniboia, SK, for the winters in 1960 and became permanent residents of Assiniboia in 1964. Farming was done from a distance until 1972 when the family farm was sold. Except for a couple years spent in Regina, SK, after her husband Bill passed away in 1974, Eleanor continued to reside on her own in Assiniboia until 2024 when she moved to Alberta to be close to her two sons. During her long residency in Assiniboia she worked as a salesclerk for many years at a local ladys wear retail store, until she retired, and continued plying her musical skills part-time for entertainment at various functions around the country. Music
was a big part of family gatherings over the years, and she loved to play a few tunes on the piano for anyone that came along right up to the last few weeks of her life.
Eleanor lived a long and healthy life. She will be forever remembered and sadly missed by all family and friends. Eleanor was devoted to the service of her loving God Jehovah who now has her in his memory. Her strong faith assured her of the firm hope of a resurrection to a Paradise earth where pain, suffering and death will be no more (Revelation 21:3,4).
The family would like to thank the management and staff at Prairie Villa Seniors Lodge in Assiniboia, SK, the Clover Bar Seniors Lodge in Sherwood Park, AB, and Everitt Gardens Continuing Care Home in St. Albert, AB, for all the help and care given the last three years. A Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses, 718 Leeville Drive, Assiniboia, SK, on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, at 1:00pm, and by Zoom video conferencing, Meeting ID 4970445081 and Password 30031, Fred Reynoldson officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Assiniboia.
Personal messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at: .
