Anne (Sands) Williams

Anne (Sands) Williams died peacefully in her 92nd year on Saturday, May 8th 2010 at Providence Place.  Anne Thelma was born in Assiniboia on September 11th, 1918, the youngest daughter of Tollef and Brigit Bakkestad. She attended Jackson School, like her 4 older siblings and Assiniboia High School where she took a business course.  Anne loved music. She taught piano out of her home on the Bakkestad farm and later played piano and organ for Lutheran churches in Assiniboia, Congress and in Moose Jaw for many years. She enjoyed entertaining at Nursing Homes and other venues as part of an “old time” orchestra.  She also loved to dance.  Anne was an excellent bridge player. She liked to travel. She was an independent woman who was very fond of nice clothes, fur coats, stylish shoes and good jewellery.

Anne was a career woman. She worked for Bright’s Real Estate firm in Assiniboia before moving to Moose Jaw in 1948. She worked as a receptionist at a local clinic before starting work at the Providence Hospital in the admitting department until the hospital closed.  Family was important to Anne. She was particularly close to her sister, Gunda and her brother, Elling. She had a good sense of humour and loved our Norwegian Christmas traditions around the “lutefisk.”  Anne was dedicated to her church which she served long and well.  Anne is predeceased by her parents and siblings Hilda Anderson, Carrie Olson, Gunda Marshall and Elling Bakkestad as well as Gordon Olson, Marjorie Hewitt, Harry Sands and Tom Williams. She is survived by nephew Norman Olson, and nieces Beatrice Hewitt, Bernice Foss, Sharon Prenevost, Carol Mitchell, Vicky Stueck, Patty B. Legare and their families; and special friend Marvin Seaborg, who shared in many special activities and assisted in Anne’s life for many years.  We will miss our Anne’s spontaneous laughter and her warm hugs. She was a good and faithful friend; a caring and special aunt. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 13th, 2010 at 11:00am in Central Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery.  Reverend Doug Shepherd will officiate.  In her memory, give a rose to someone you love or make a donation to either Providence Place for Holistic Care, 100 2nd Ave. N.E., Moose Jaw, SK. S6H 1B8 or to Central Lutheran Church, 27 Hochelaga St. W., Moose Jaw, SK. S6H 2E9.