Obituary of Ardena Mae Zinger

Ardena Mae Zinger (nee Unger) of Castor, Alberta, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2021 at the Red Deer Regional Health Centre at the age of 93 years. 

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Herbert Joseph Zinger; sister Alpha; brother Jim; nephew Dale Unger; and daughter-in-law Charlie Allen.   Ardena is survived by daughter Joan “Zoë”; sons Jerry (Bev Lyons), Bruce (Laurie Westman), Noel (Robin Sundal) and Neil (Jennifer Annesley); grandchildren Trevor and Taryn Zinger (Aaron McGarvey).

Ardena was born in Castor on December 23, 1927 to parents Catherine and Emil Unger. For her entire life she resided in Castor where she dedicated herself to family, friends, church and community. Ardena and Herb were married in 1951. She was a cherished member of many community organizations including the Catholic Women’s League and was the longest standing member of the Castor Ladies Reading Club.

Ardena’s early work life included working at the Castor medical clinic, Alberta Hail and Crop Insurance, and the Bank of Montreal. She also took on the role of business partner and photographer in her own right in Herb Zinger Photography.

As a certified ski patrol and founding member of the Valley Ski Club, she taught the sport to many prairie kids, and continued to ski into her late seventies.  She loved the outdoors, enjoying many canoeing, hiking and backpacking adventures, and countless picnics in the prairie landscape that she adored.

With a welcoming smile and open heart Ardena loved entertaining friends and family in her elegant home that she and Herb built on the edge of the coulee. Her sense of style and eye for design were superb.  She was quick-witted, interested in others, and enthusiastic about life to her last day.  

Ardena was proud of her family, was a loving mother, wife, sister and friend, and will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, it was Ardena’s wish that because many of her family and friends have been affected by cancer that memorial donations be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Center Research, 1331-29^th St NW Calgary, AB T2N 4N2

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be a small, private service on November 16th at 2:00 p.m.  The service will also be webcast.