Obituary of Doris Irene Charlton

IN LOVING MEMORY Doris Irene Charlton September 3, 1923 to October 11, 2016 Doris's father Hans Lunde left Stryn, Norway when he was 17 years old, via Liverpool, England and landing in New York. He settled in Forsyth, Montana on May 2, 1900 with no knowledge of the English language and the mighty sum of 35 cents in his pocket. His decision to stay in Forsyth led to work on the Northern Pacific Railroad, which lasted for 12 years. In a small town called Huntley, Montana he met Margit Paulson, who had also immigrated from Norway with her mother and brother in the same year as Hans. They did not know each other previously, but it did not take long for them to become acquainted. He proposed and she decided two Norwegians would make a good match, so they were married in Billings, Montana in 1908. In 1912 they decided to move to Canada, but by this time they had 3 daughters, one of which was only 2 months old. Their first home in Canada was a box-car in Castor, Alberta, until such time that Hans found land to his liking in the Eastervale district, south of Amisk, AB. They filed for a homestead on SW 23-39-8-W4, four miles north of Kessler Hall. They moved a few miles east of there in 1927, when Doris was 4 years old. She was the seventh of eight children so by this time they had a houseful. Doris remembered well the long walks to school and hitching up a horse to a cutter in very cold weather. She also fondly remembered her mother's lefsa, lapskause(Norwegian Stew), sugar cookies, school house dances, concerts and school picnics. Doris attended Teat Hills school and finished her education at Eastervale, completing Grade 9. She always regretted being unable to further her education, but the family did not have the resources to allow it. So at the ripe old age of 14 she had to start working for a living. She helped several families in the community with housekeeping and caring for children. She worked on cook cars for threshing crews as well. Doris then left home for the bright lights of Edmonton to live with her sister Eva and work at an egg grading plant, sorting eggs for 50 cents a day. After she had her fill of that she moved back to Czar in 1943 to work in David and Frances Penman's store. She boarded with the family in the living quarters above the store. Meanwhile, Neale Charlton had also been out earning a living and some hard lessons learned. He had been gone nearly 4 years, so much to his delight he discovered the young blonde neighbor girl he knew before had grown up. They started dating in 1943, and were married on November 3, 1945. Neale continued with his trucking business and bought his father's ranch in 1945. By 1955 three sons had arrived, which only added to Doris's workload. Her sons and grandchildren were always astounded at her abilities as the "best short order cook in the west". Her duties also included running her son's to ball games, hockey games, basketball games, cubs, 4H, school activities, delivering hot meals to the field and if she could find the time do some gardening or sewing. She was the secretary for the original Czar Home and School, started in 1959. She was very active in the Hughenden Women's Institute, a country women's group. Later in years Doris and Neale joined the Rebekahs which is a fraternity that includes both men and women associated with the IOOF Lodge. After Neale retired they traveled extensively and took up fishing as well. Doris only tried ice fishing twice, as Neale said it just wasn't her thing. Doris played the piano and organ most of her life and did it all by ear. She was able to see all three of her great granddaughters on her birthday, just over a month ago. She will be missed by many Doris passed away on October 11, 2016 at Wainwright Health Centre at 93 years of age. She is survived by her sons: Richard (Cathy) and their three children, Jesse, Scott and Bridey (Phillip); Daryl (Dagmar) and their two children, Keeley and Morgan (Jose) Maurice (Brenda) and their three children, Corbyn, Coleman and Callahan One sister, Leona Berghout. Doris was predeceased by her sisters, Eva, Mary, Margit and brothers, Burt, Edwin and Harry.