1929 – 2022
Mrs. Helga ‘Iris’ Bourne (nee Benediktson) of Innisfail, Alberta, passed away peacefully, in the early morning hours, on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the age of 92 years.
Iris was born in Innisfail, Alberta and was raised first in the Heckla District, and later moved to the Tindastoll District near Markerville. At the age of thirteen, her father, Sigurdur Benediktson passed away. Since her mother Rosa could not drive, Iris was granted a particular driver’s license and drove her mother and family wherever needed. Iris was the granddaughter of the Icelandic Poet, Stephan G. Stephansson from Markerville, and she spent many happy hours at her grandparents’ farm. She attended High School in Innisfail and married Alfred William Bourne on September 24, 1947.
Early on, they lived in Red Deer and Alfred worked with his brother, Dave doing “Cat” work and gravel hauling. They moved to the Ridgewood farm in the fall of 1949 and farmed and raised their five children on the Jesse Bourne homestead. Iris and Alfred loved music and played in a band with Dick Damron. The kids would come to the dances and go to sleep behind the piano. Growing up in a household that loved music, her son, Bill later became a much-loved Alberta musician.
In 1977, Iris and Alfred picked up stakes and moved to a farm east of Bashaw, where they raised Angus cattle and grew grain. Iris always had horses, her great love. Quarter horses gave way to Ponies of the Americas, in her later years. At one time, she had over one hundred horses and knew them all by name. She loved to see the baby foals born in the spring, as well as the baby calves. While living at the farm at Bashaw, Iris got heavily involved in politics. Political conversations were always welcomed at Iris’s table. She also became involved with 4H, Bashaw Minor Hockey, and later, baseball through activities with her youngest son, Jim.
They moved back to Ridgewood to their original farm when Alfred’s health gave way, about 1990. After the love of her life passed away in 1997, Iris moved to a farm near Halkirk, where she continued with cattle and horses for a few years. Iris took long trail rides with chuckwagons, cattle, and horses several times. She later moved to Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, ran a bed and breakfast with a friend, and went on trail rides. Once she reached eighty, she decided it was time to move back to the Innisfail area and slow down, although that was difficult for her. She raised horses for several more years before selling out and moving to Independent Living at Country Manor, Innisfail. Her favorite pastime was to go for drives, and she loved going to her daughter, Marie’s farm to see the horses, (she still had one) and the calves.
When she could no longer drive, her family took turns driving her around the countryside. She loved to reminisce about various places and always liked seeing how crops were looking, how haying was progressing, along with paying close attention to any horses. Iris loved her grandchildren, and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with them, hearing what they were up to, and sharing her wisdom. Iris was a true matriarch and has impacted many people’s lives with her passion and zest for life. Iris never complained; she just got on with life, enjoying every second.
She leaves to deeply mourn her passing her daughter, Marie (Andre) Chaumont of Markerville, her daughter, Margo Forester of Innisfail, her son, Tom (Pat) Bourne of Innisfail, and her son, Jim Bourne of Calgary, her thirteen grandchildren, Shawn, Tara, Jennifer, Patrick, Emily, Amanda, Jesse, Erin, Carly, Anthony, Richard, Connor, and Jonah, her twenty great grandchildren and her two great great grandsons. She will also be sadly missed by her brother, Stephan Benediktson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Iris was predeceased by her husband, Alfred in 1997, a son, Bill in April this year, and her brothers, Conrad Benediktson and Ted Benediktson.
A Public Memorial Service to honor the life of Iris will be held at the Fensala Hall, Markerville, Alberta on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ken Lehman Officiating. If friends so desire, Memorial Donations may be made to Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society, 114 Creamery Way, Markerville, Alberta T0M 0M0. A Private Family Interment will take place at the Stephansson Family Cemetery, Markerville, Alberta. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
