Our family is saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother (Baba) and Great Grandmother (Great Baba) Anne Aspen on May 27th at the University Hospital in Saskatoon. Anne was born May 6th, 1930 on the farm near Chelan, Saskatchewan with neighbour Mrs. Dahlmo performing the delivery with Anne’s dad, Andrew, assisting. Anne was the 5th of 9 children born to Andrew and Parania Martyn.
She is predeceased by brothers Raymond, Bert and Marvin and sister Mary. She was also predeceased by her husband Kenneth in 1965, grandson Aaron in 1991 and partner Joe Bochsler in 2011. Anne is survived by brother Michael and sister-in-law Betty (Prince Albert) and sisters Jean (Chelan), Lena and Josie (Victoria, B.C.). Anne was a wonderfully devoted mother to her 6 children, Carol (Mervin), Robert (Jane), Allan, Lenora (Max), Leanne and Kenneth (Rebecca). She was a loving grandmother (Baba) to Ryan, Jason, Lauren, Emma, Erika, Lindsay, Colin, Marina, Reed, Jacob, Benjamin, Kayla, Graham, Garrett and Brooke. She also cherished her great grandchildren Emrey, Avery, Blakely, Tanner, Cooper, Holly and Adison. Anne was much loved and will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews and all those whose lives she touched.

Anne lived a very full and challenging life. She was married in 1948 to Kenneth Aspen. Between 1949 and 1965, she and Kenneth welcomed 6 children. They worked hard on the farm raising their family and life seemed perfect until October 13, 1965 when Kenneth unexpectedly and tragically passed away. Anne, a widow at 35, decided to stay on the farm working very hard to raise her 6 children. With her children becoming more self reliant, in 1972, she found employment at the Red Deer Nursing Home where she worked for almost 18 years. In 1986, she met the second love of her life, Joe Bochsler. Meeting Joe was an important milestone for Anne as she and Joe proved to be great companions and travel partners. For many years, they made their annual winter pilgrimage to Acapulco, Mexico. They also made numerous trips to the U.S., Europe and Australia. With Joe passing in 2011, Anne carried on at the farm but eventually found it necessary to move to town to live in seniors’ housing. The last few years, she enjoyed having her sister Jean living in the same seniors’ housing complex.

Anne was truly an exceptional human being. She a carried a strong faith in God throughout her life and attended the Lutheran Church in Chelan and Porcupine Plain. She loved and was loved by the many people who knew her. She had the gift of making anyone she met feel special. Because of the hardships she endured during her life, Anne always showed great compassion toward others. At the same time, she would defend her principles when necessary and took great pride in her nickname, ‘Stormin’ Annie’. Anne loved life and lived it to the fullest right to the very end. She would want the rest of us to do the same.

Anne’s family would like to convey their sincere appreciation to the many people who have communicated their love and support since her passing.