March 21, 1928 – November 13, 2024
Ila Gwendolyn (Moen) Thomas was born at Tofield, Alberta on March 21, 1928, and died peacefully on November 13, 2024, at age 96, surrounded by family. She looked forward to her move to heaven to join Dave, her husband of 59 years; their first-born infant son Kevin; her parents Iver and Olfrid; her brothers Harold and Eldon; her sisters Hazel and Doreen; and other loved ones who had gone before her.
Ila was the third of six children born to Iver and Olfrid Moen, who themselves were born into large families of Norwegian immigrants who came to Canada at the turn of the 20th century to settle and farm in the area around Bardo, Alberta. A rich heritage of faith, family, community, and song infused Ila’s life from birth.
Ila participated in church life from early childhood, beginning at the Bardo Lutheran Church which stood on land donated by her grandfather. She had fond memories of going with her father to ring the church bell six times at 6:00 p.m. on December 24th to herald the beginning of Christmas. She met Dave in Holden where she was teaching school and he was working at the Royal Bank, and they were married at the Bardo Lutheran Church in June 1951. Ila and Dave were committed members of Lutheran congregations everywhere they lived (Edmonton, Calgary, & Innisfail, AB; Coquitlam, BC; London, ON), and Ila was active with the Evangelical Lutheran Church Women. Her faith was a lifelong source of strength and comfort. She began each day with devotional readings and ended each day with her bedtime prayers.
Ila will live on in memories cherished, stories told, songs sung, and recipes shared by her five children: Cheryl Thomas (Walter Friesen), Heather Thomas (Craig Millar), Robyn Thomas, Craig Thomas (Colleen Thomas), and Kerri Anne Thomas; ten grandchildren (Kelsey Andries, Jill Rajewicz, Lise Rajewicz, Leah Andries, Trevor Thomas, Molly Thomas-Lee, Duncan Thomas, Rachel Friesen, Liam Thomas, and Sonia Friesen), three great grandchildren (Willa, Eddie, and Camilo), her sister Peggy Nichols (Pat Nichols), and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
A celebration of Ila’s life will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 40 Holmes Street, Red Deer, Alberta on December 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Ila requested that people NOT wear black! This can also be attended via live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/@goodshepherdlutheranreddee8615/streams
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Canadian Lutheran World Relief, your local food bank, or a children’s charity of your choice, or plant a native tree in tribute to Ila’s long and full life on this beautiful earth.
This is an abbreviation of the full obituary which can be found at A Millard George Funeral Home: https://amgfh.com/obituaries/ila-gwendolyn-moen-thomas/
