It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Marlene Adelle Truhn at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital on Saturday, March 24, 2024 at the age of 85 years.

Mom was born on April 13, 1938 in Morden, MB to Melvin and Ruth Hunt. She was the oldest of her siblings: Gayle, Wayne, Lynn and Glenda. They enjoyed a rural upbringing until Mom moved to Winnipeg to attend Teacher’s College.

While at College Mom met her future husband George Truhn, who was also training to become a teacher. They married on July 5, 1958. Three children (Ken, Eric and Shannon) quickly joined the family. In 1963, Mom and Dad accepted a four-year contract through the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources to teach in a remote Inuit village named George River, later renamed Kangiqsualujjuaq. It was an epic adventure, though a difficult one with three children aged five and younger. Mom and Dad added to their family by adopting an Inuit baby girl, a much-loved sister, Kathryn.

Once their contract was done, Dad accepted a teaching position in Grande Prairie and moved in 1968. Mom started teaching grade two at Hillside School the following year and stayed there until she took an early retirement, which allowed her more time to cheer on her beloved Blue Jays.

Mom pursued many hobbies including gardening (both vegetables and her beautiful flowers), cross stitching, crocheting, knitting, writing and reading. Reading was one of her favorite things and her book choices were eclectic. She also became interested in the family tree and traced both sides back many generations. She was the repository of all family knowledge, so if anyone needed a question answered, they all knew who to phone.

To define Mom with one word, it would be “nurturer.” She loved her family and her friends with her whole heart. If you were lucky enough to be drawn into her orbit, you would be held there forever by the gentle and all-encompassing force of her love.

Mom will be terribly missed by her husband George; sons Ken (Penny) and Eric (Brenda); daughters Shannon (Ken) and Kathryn; siblings: Wayne (Laraine), Lynn and Glenda; nieces and nephews: Daryn, Laura, Michael, Chris and Meleita; grandchildren: Danielle, Ian (Leah), Lisa (Darren), Dalen (Erika), Kolby (Will) and Kaitlyn (John David); and precious great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Benjamin, Joel, Simon, Hadassah, Emmett, Parker, Brynnlee, Lainey and Arlie.

Mom was predeceased by her parents Melvin and Ruth Hunt; sister Gayle and nephew Bryan.

A Funeral Service for Mom will be held at Oliver’s Funeral Home (10005 107 Ave) in Grande Prairie, AB on Friday, March 29 at 11:00am.

Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (cancer.ca/en/ select donate).

The family would like to thank Dr. Angela Barreth, the palliative care team, the home care nurses (whose care allowed Mom to stay in her home as long as possible), the EMTs who came to her home and all the staff at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, who cared for her while she was there. You are all extremely compassionate and Mom was in good hands under your care.

A limb has fallen from the family tree

I keep hearing a voice 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