Obituary of Willy Verner Lauridsen

Willy Verner Lauridsen

March 25, 1927 ~ September 30, 2025

Willy Verner Lauridsen was born March 25, 1927 in Ginnerup, Denmark to parents Jenny and George.

He was the third child in a family of eleven. Willy passed away peacefully in Stettler, Alberta on September 30, 2025.

The family moved several times over the years but wherever they were Willy walked to school sometimes 2-3 km.

Times were tough for the large family. Willy started working on farms at 14 to help support the family. He remembered not being happy to turn his wages over to his father. In 1948 Willy moved to Norway to work on another farm. His wage was $60.00 a month and included room and board. This particular employer advised him to go to Agriculture College, and he would pay him $100.00 per month. The College was for 6 months. After this he saw an ad in the paper advertising for farmers in good health to work in Canada. He had an interview then went to Ontario with 2 friends, where he worked for 1 -2 years. His next move was to Quebec City, traveling there by boat. He stayed for 1 year, then on to Montreal. Willy took a short course to be able to write in English. At this farm his English speaking improved guided by the daughter of the boss. He often talked about this daughter bringing him a cold bottle of coke on a very hot workday, which he was so thankful for. Through a contact in Norway, he took a train to Calgary, then Wayne, Alberta where his new boss picked him up in his tractor as the roads were bad. At this point he had $23.00 to his name. He worked in the Rockyford area for about eight years. His next adventure was working on a dairy farm in Chilliwack, BC, it wasn’t long before he was back at Dalum, Alberta.

On Dec 2, 1959, he married Jean Graham, a nurse from Scotland who worked in Drumheller. In August of 1960 Willy began his career with Alberta Wheat Pool. This work took him from Drumheller, to Beynon, Munson, Rockyford, and finally Stettler. Willy retired from the Wheat Pool Feb 1, 1988.

Willy and Jean loved to travel including regular trips to Scotland and Denmark. They also went to Newfoundland, Hawaii and Vegas to name a few places. In their days of travel overseas the trip was 23 hours from Edmonton to London. Several of the road trips they took included friends.

Willy and Jean enjoyed their home in Stettler, including many happy meals and socializing with friends.

After Jean passed in 1994, his life took on a new pattern.

Willy liked to garden and later in life this included house plants. Willy moved to Willow Creek Lodge in December 2015. He was fortunate to have a room that looked out on the helicopter pad. He was always interested in airplanes so watching the helicopters was a hi-lite for him. He was an avid reader and looked forward to receiving the books brought in by the library staff and communication with them. As well as English, Willy was able to converse in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish. At 98 he still watched current events on TV and was very concerned with things going on in the world but especially the US. Willy enjoyed going for a drive to look for wildlife or check out crops, and if the trip ended with a little gambling that was even better. Willy had a weekly coffee, storytelling, and bird watching morning with longtime friend Barbara, to which he looked forward. In May he had a wonderful visit with Ethel from Scotland, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

All those special to him will remember a life well lived and miss the jokes he had ready to tell everyone.

Willy was an avid bird watcher; and he especially enjoyed the little hummingbirds. Our hope is that he enjoys flying free with them now. 

Memory Lunch

Friday November 14, 2025 at 12:00

Stettler United Church, Stettler, Alberta

Memorial donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S at P.O. Box 570. Calgary, Alberta, T2E 8M7 or to a charity of your choice.  Condolences may be sent to the family, please visit www.stettlerfuneralhome.com. Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements 403-742-3422.