SANDEN, Andrew “Clifford”

SANDEN, Andrew “Clifford”

April 9, 1917-December 16, 2020

It is with sadness, that we say goodbye to our 103 year old Dad, Clifford Sanden.  He left us just in time to have morning coffee with our Mom, Helen (Thorssen) Sanden. He had missed her for 24 years. 

Clifford was born near Standard, Alberta, the eldest grandson of the Reiffenstein family of 13. He grew up on the family farm west of Hussar, Alberta alongside his parents Jens and Anna Margaret Sanden (Reiffenstein) and his younger brothers and sisters. 

Clifford and Helen were married in 1947 and carried on the family farm while raising 7 children, then passing it to son, Peter, and now his family!  Dad enjoyed his years as one of the Leaders of the Hussar Chancellor Grain Club, as a Director of the Hussar Credit Union, and his 25 years as Treasurer of the Hussar Seed Cleaning Plant.  He was a good friend and handyman for his dear neighbors.

The farm has, and always will be, “our happy place”!   Mom and Dad worked hard, side by side! Our home was always filled with “so many’ cousins, friends, and neighbors. We enjoyed wonderful meals and baking, and coffee was always on! Dad’s shop was bustling with activity!  He could design, build, and repair anything…to perfection……toys, machines, buildings and our beautiful home.  Mom passed away in 1996 and it left a huge hole in his heart.  But he continued on with his beautiful yard and garden, and his famous fence post vases, his “Cliff Hangers”, and his custom Shoe Horns. His strong work ethic never left him!

His dry sense of humor will continue to make our hearts smile!  We will treasure his “always wise” advice.  “Pay Attention” is “a keeper”!

At 96, Dad moved to Wheatland Lodge, then to Sagewood in 2019. From the bottom of our hearts, to them, and to all of you who visited, thank you for being so good to our Dad!  

Clifford was predeceased by his son, Charles Sanden; all his siblings, Marion (Lloyd) Clark, Irving Sanden, Vivian Ritchie, Emil Sanden; and Helen’s siblings, Francis (Bill) Hallgren, LeRoy (Gwen) Thorssen, Irene (Harvey) Sanden, and Doris (Dave) Usher. He is survived by his sister-in-laws Ruth Sanden (Irving) and Esther Sanden (Emil), as well as his children, Allan Sanden (Bernice), Brenda Sanden; Donna (Keith) Sanden/Nelson; Betty Sanden; Peter (Debbie) Sanden; Gail (Don) Jensen; Wendy (Richard) Clark; Susan (Randy) Moncks, 20 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren. He loved his “babies” and he was blessed with ”many”!

Donations in his memory, if so desired to: Wheatland Hospice Society, P.O.Box 2154, Strathmore, AB T1P 1K2 or www.wheatlandhospice.ca  To send condolences and to view a more extensive tribute, please visit Clifford’s obituary at www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca