Obituary of Edward "Ted" Leonard Roberts

Edward (Ted) Roberts passed away on Monday, Dec 19, 2011 at Red Deer Regional Hospital. He was born Oct 18, 1928, the first of four children born to the marriage of Leonard and Bertha Roberts. Ted married his childhood sweetheart, Doris Harwood, on June 29, 1949, in Strathmore, AB, where they had both grown up. They spent their first married years in Calgary, where Ted was employed as a licensed machinist for Valley Tool and their first son Doug was born in 1951, and daughter Vicki in 1953, and son Don in 1956. Missing the small town life, they later took the opportunity to move back to Strathmore to help on the Harwood farm. In 1961, they acquired their own farm and moved to Byemoor where they farmed and resided until the spring of 2004, at which time they moved to Stettler to take up residence. For the last five months, due to Ted’s declining health, they have lived at Aspen Ridge, an assisted living retirement residence in Red Deer. Ted enjoyed farming and especially liked tinkering in his shop. He was adept at fixing and repairing just about anything. Many lessons were taught over his shop bench to his kids and grandkids, and they have all benefited, each in their own way, from those invaluable life lessons. He loved fishing, playing cards, and barbequing in the summer, and entertaining his family and friends with his sharp wit and great sense of humour. Having his pilot’s license and a small Cessna plane, Ted also loved flying, occasionally treating family and friends with aerial tours of the surrounding area, until his family encouraged him to “hang up his wings” in the early 80s. Ted is predeceased by his brothers Lesley and Bert and grand-daughter Dana. He is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife Doris; his sister Shirley (Hugh) Van Bavel of Calgary; son Doug (Lori) Roberts of Stettler, son Don (Marlene) of Olds and daughter Vicki of Golden; grandchildren: Brian (Stacey) Roberts, Kris Roberts, Scott (Chelsea) Roberts, Curtis Roberts, Mike (Amy) Roberts; seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services were held at the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium with Rev. Jack Schulze officiating. Organist Evelyn Strandquist played for soloist Amy Roberts as she sang “Stay With Us.” Several musical selections were played and family members gave loving tributes of Ted. Family and friends gathered in the Heartland Reception Centre for a time of fellowship and a luncheon by Teresa’s Catering. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Alberta Cancer. Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and arrangements. 403-742-3422