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In Loving Memory of Mandie Driedger August 2, 1940 – June 27, 2020 By Marcia Hogg
In Loving Memory of Mandie Driedger August 2, 1940 – June 27, 2020
ByMarciaHogg
OBITUARYElsaAmanda(Mandie)Driedger,age79,passedawaypeacefullyonJune27,2020.ShewasbornonAugust2,1940inCapasin,Saskatchewan,butwasraisedinSurrey,B.C.
Thethirteenthoffourteenchildren,Mandiegrewupmakingmusicwithhertalentedfamily,busilymindingherniecesandnephews,caregivingtohermother,engaginginChurchactivities,excellinginschoolwork,andmemorizinglargesegmentsofscripture.
In1960,shepackedallherbelongingsintoonemedium-sizedsuitcaseandmovedtoBrooks,AlbertatoworkattheTreasuryBranchandparticipateinthechurchthatherbrother,Sieghardpastored.Itwastherethatshemetherlifelonglove,EldenDriedger,andthetwoweremarriedwithinmonths.
Elden’sworktookthemtoSaskatoon,thenEdmontonwhereBurnettewasborn,andeventuallytoRedDeer,whereMarciawasbornandwheretheystayedforovertwentyyears.Shetaughthergirlstosing,toloveJesus,tobehomemakers,tobecompassionatetoothers,toworkhard,tomarrywell,andtobeindependent.Infact,MomraisedBurnetteandMarciawhileworkingmanyyearsasabookkeeperandcontrolleratbusinessesincludingalawyer’soffice,acardealership,andmanyyearsatVellnerLeisureProducts.Andthroughitall,sheboreElden’ssufferingswithgrace,lovinghimwell.
Inthesummerof1989,EldenandMandieheadedwesttothesunshineandgreeneryofVernon,B.C.,whereMandiesupportedDad’shobbiesandworkedhappilyatKencraftuntil2002beforemovingbacktoAlbertatobenearertothegirlsandtheirhusbands,CarlandMurray.
WhenEldendiedin2007,Mandiedidherbesttoreinventherself,butherhealthwasaformidablefoeandsheslowlysuccumbedtothecomplicationsbroughtonbycongestiveheartfailure.Throughitall,shekeptthemusicaliveinherlife,andsaidshe’salwayshadasonginherhead,andasonginherheart,ofpraisetoGod.Sheaskedhergirlstodothesame.
