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Audio - Raised in a small log home on a homestead west of Baptiste Lake, Larry reflects on early memories and challenges of rural farm life. After becoming a teacher, marrying and working around Edmonton, he returned to teach in Athabasca and lives…

Audio - Linda lived in Germany throughout WWII. When she was ten years old, she was inspired by care packages received from a family friend in Canada. She decided Canada would be good place to go to, and that is exactly what she did. She met and…

Audio - When Annie was five, her family moved from Smoky Lake to Pleasant View. While she loved school, a regret is not being able to go to high school as there was no mode of transportation. Annie married a farmer, Victor Wolanuk, and together they…

Audio - Raised in Edmonton, Bonnie’s heritage is Scottish and English. In WWI, her father was a bombardier and prisoner of war. Later, while working for Air Canada, his family received free passes to go places, and spent many summers with family in…

Audio - In 2008, Dick wrote this family history, which is read by Dick’s brother Larry Armfelt. Highlights are stories of their father and mother growing up in Denmark, then moving to Alberta to farm and living in a shack. Roads were poor, so…

Audio - Parents came to Canada in 1929 and lived in the community of Larvard north of Athabasca. William talks about farming, childhood, school years, fish factory at Hay River, and starting his own pipeline business

Audio - Win was raised on a farm in Howsam, Saskatchewan. At times, wind, rain and snow made travelling very difficult, and Win’s father even bought a snow plane to get over snow drifts. Following high school, Win became a lab tech, married and then…

Audio - Raised in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Ron always had an interest in flying. While he didn’t pursue it professionally, he did own and pilot a plane. Also, he was very involved with the Saskatchewan Flying Farmers organization. For 43 years, he…

Audio - Raised on a farm in Perryvale, Larry’s first train ride was going to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta. He competed in wrestling, winning many championships and was on the Canadian National Wrestling team. After completing his…

Audio - Rosie is a community builder, and discusses her many years of involvement with the Athabasca Pottery Club, including finally settling in the basement of the Old Brick School. Also, she is a long-time member of the Athabasca Lions’ Club and…

Audio - From the Ukraine to Halifax to Winnipeg and finally to northern Alberta, Jerry’s maternal grandparents homesteaded in the Paxson area, close to where Jerry has lived most of his life. During WWII, his father was in the army, and after…

Audio - Gladys shares early farm stories, including picking rocks, stooking hay, threshing, gardening and raising farm animals. When growing up, school, 4-H, church and community activities were important. As an adult, Gladys pursued secretarial and…

Audio - Raised in Innisfail, Bruce has had a varied career from running a dairy to selling life insurance to becoming a minister. Bruce shares stories of living in Athabasca for 20 years, from being the Athabasca United Church minister to several…

Audio - After a bomb hit the family home in Holland and killed Christiene’s young brother, eight-year-old Christiene and her family immigrated to Canada in 1952. She later married Aldor Gustafson and moved to Athabasca where they raised six children…

Audio - Growing up in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Doris loved horses and enjoyed trail riding. Together with her husband Ron, they raised three sons, square danced, volunteered extensively and were members of the Saskatchewan Flying Farmers. A highlight…

Audio - Immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine in 1930 at 5½ months of age. Had seven siblings. Parents bought 160 acres for $10. Talked about coming to Athabasca, homesteading in the Deep Creek area, clearing land, school years, trapping. Married…

Audio - Arno shares stories of his father and mother, Hans and Rita Birkigt. Hans was born in Germany, fought in WWI, then immigrated to Canada in 1928. Rita was born in Edmonton and fought in WWII. Hans loved to hunt and ran a goods and trapping…