Obituary of Amelia Valentine Van Straten

Amelia Valentine Van Straten was the 5th child of Nanning & Irene Van Straten from a family of fifteen. She was born on February 14, 1941.

She attended the Laketon school and then the Big Valley school for her elementary education. She then received her junior high schooling at the Castor convent. She was able to pay for her room & board by cleaning and working in the kitchen.

From Castor, along with her sister Theresa, Amelia moved to Ottawa to join the “Daughters of Wisdom” to become Nuns. She served the Lord for 12 years as “Sister Irene”.

In 1972 she changed careers and moved back to Alberta. Amelia’s personality was kind, considerate and caring, so she decided that her next chapter in life was a calling for nursing. She enrolled at the Grant MacEwan School of Nursing to become a LPN.

In 1974 she became employed at the Edmonton General Hospital. There her career blossomed for 30 years right up to her retirement in 2004.

Amelia lived a very quiet and independent retirement life at her Condo in Edmonton. Her passions were going to church, reading, baking, and knitting. She was always pleasant and a generous person, especially while entertaining visits from her family.

In her final years, Amelia’s health started to deteriorate, but because of her strong character she didn't realize it until she could not help herself.  With the diagnosis of cancer, Amelia’s life was cut short and received by her Lord in the early morning of March 16, 2024, with her sisters by her side.

Amelia is survived by her brothers: Jean (Annie) Van Straten, Louis Van Straten and Kenneth (Remi) VanStraten; sisters: Theresa Van Straten, Elizabeth (Joe) Knowles, Irene (Dale) Hankins and Bernadette (Doug) Haustein; sisters-in-law Juanita Van Straten and Dale VanStraten; nieces and nephews:  Sean Van Straten, Charlene Debrule, Kathleen Sundsten, Dwayne Van Straten, Marianne McDonald, Larry Van Straten, Laurie Snowden, Rogie Van Straten, Cameron Van Straten, Conrad Van Straten, Rodney Van Straten, Juanita Szymanek, Trina Kinderwater, Sarina Jones, Neona Pasquarelli, Joseph Van Straten, Brandon Van Straten, Shandele Battle, Pernell Van Straten, Michelle Renchler, Loretta James, Carmen Knowles, Deanna Krocker, Wesley Hankins, Lisa Tubtett, Anthony Hankins, Chad Haustein, Calvert Haustein, Cremona Primrose, Conlee Haustein.  Amelia also had seventy six great nieces and nephew;  other relatives and many dear friends.

Amelia was predeceased by her parents: Nanning and Irene Van Straten, brothers: Gilbert (Eileen) Van Straten, Bernard (Marie Dean) Van Straten, Norman Van Straten and Eldon Van Straten; sisters: Germaine Van Straten, Norma Van Straten and Yvonne (Frank) Johnson.

Funeral Mass

Christ-King Catholic Church

Stettler, Alberta

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 1:00 P.M.

Donations in memory of Amelia are gratefully accepted to the Stettler Health Services Foundation ~ Palliative Care Unit or to the Lakeview Fenn Cemetery.