Irene Margrette (Sendelbach) Kitteringham

Irene Margrette Kitteringham (nee Sendelbach)

Irene Kitteringham, beloved wife of Lorne Kitteringham of Lacombe, Alberta passed away on December 17th, 2018 at the age of 78 years after a lengthy illness.  Irene was born at home on the family farm in Spruce Lake, Saskatchewan to Emma and Leonard Sendelbach on April 5, 1940. She was the fourth of seven children. Irene attended a one-room school in Emmaville, Saskatchewan until grade 8.  In her mid-teens, Irene moved to Lloydminster.  She worked as a waitress at Steeg Brothers, where she met her future husband, Lorne.  They were married on December 15, 1958 in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan.  They moved into a small trailer in Lloydminster, where they started their family.  In 1960, Irene contracted polio.  She was in the University Hospital in Edmonton for nine months.  Irene was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.  Despite this hardship, Lorne and Irene continued to grow their family.  In the early 1970s, Lorne and Irene purchased an acreage just north of Lloydminster, where they lived until 2009.  Irene joined the Lloydminster Farmer’s Market, where she sold her fabulous home baking, as well as items that she had knit or crocheted.  Irene also entered her knitting in local area exhibitions, where she won numerous ribbons.  Irene worked for the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) for five years in the 1980s, which allowed her to work and travel across Canada to represent the Association.  Lorne and Irene enjoyed travelling around Canada and in the US in their motorhome, camping, exploring and visiting family and friends.  In 2009, Lorne and Irene sold their acreage north of Lloydminster and moved to Lacombe to be closer to their children and grandchildren.  Unfortunately, Irene’s health deteriorated and she was hospitalized in early 2017, where she remained until her passing.  

Besides her loving husband Lorne, Irene is survived by her children, Ernest (Nancy) Kitteringham, Maria Johnson, Wanda (Pat) Grisak, Glen Kitteringham, Warren (Pam) Kitteringham and Debra (Travis) Tripp.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Melanie Grisak, Tanya (Gareth) O’Brien, Lisa (Christian) Helm, Tyson (Ashley) Kitteringham, Carson McKay, Joseph (Kiersten) Johnson, Sarah Kitteringham,  Holly Johnson, Leah Johnson, Marc Kitteringham, Eric Kitteringham, Callan Kitteringham, Madeline Tripp and Ethan Tripp. Irene was the great grandmother of Isla O’Brien, Logan Helm, Lachlan O’Brien, Rory Johnson and Ava Kitteringham. Irene is survived by five siblings: Donald Reinhart, Bertha (George) Riguidel, Debbie (David) Brewer, Denniece (Richard) Crout, Le’Raine (Robin) Dunn, two brothers-in-law: Alfred (Emily) Kitteringham, David (Angie) Kitteringham and six sisters-in-law: Lorraine (Vic) Fleming, Elaine (Stan) Gerber, Judy (Jim) Reinhart, Josie (Darhl) Senft, Maralynn (Ken) Earl and Bernadette (Robert) Aultman and numerous nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by her parents, Emma and Leonard, her mother-in-law, Louise Kitteringham and father-in-law, Bill Kitteringham, brother, Lawrence Sendelbach and brother-in-law, Jack Kitteringham

The family is grateful for the care and kindness shown Irene by the staff at Lacombe Long Term Care during her stay there.

A celebration of Irene’s life will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 1:00pm at McCaw Funeral Chapel, 5101 – 50 Street, Lloydminster. Interment will follow at the Lloydminster Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CPA or the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

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