Alice Jean Smistad

Alice Jean Smistad passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at Bethany Care Centre in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 100 years. The eldest of four sisters, Alice Jean was born to John Oscar and Alice Amanda Norin, and was raised on the family farm near Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. She completed her high school education at Verwood High and Luther College in Regina. Alice Jean felt strongly that she wanted to teach and the shortest route to that was attending Normal School in Moose Jaw which she completed in 1940. She then went on to teach at Verwood Intermediate School, then going on to the University of Saskatchewan in 1942 where she graduated with a BA in 1944. She taught English in Shaunavon High School in the fall of 1944 but the Second World War was still on and was on her mind since she had lost a brother-in-law and colleagues in Europe. Wishing to make a contribution to the war effort, Alice Jean joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) in January 1945, received training in Regina then a posting to Halifax, Nova Scotia where she met Ivar Smistad who was serving in the Special Branch of the RCMP. With war benefits from the service Alice Jean attended the music conservatory at Dalhousie University where she completed her Licentiate in Music Performance. In 1947 Alice Jean and Ivar were married in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan before returning to Halifax and a subsequent final posting to Ottawa where Alice Jean taught English to members of the Diplomatic Corp.

In 1957 they moved to Calgary, Alberta where Alice Jean taught English at Mount Royal College and William Aberhart High School and raised their three children. She retired from William Aberhart after serving many years teaching English and serving as the school librarian.

Alice Jean loved learning and music. For many years she and Ivar were active members of the Calgary Scandinavian Centre and the Swedish Lodge. She was active in many groups such as the Alberta Committee for Tolerance and Understanding, and the Calgary Festival Chorus. She served as organist and choir director for many years at Trinity Lutheran Church in Calgary. For over 30 years Alice Jean volunteered at Bethany Care Centre, operating the Bethany Tuck Shop well into her eighties. At age 80 she took music lessons on the violin. Alice Jean spent her final seven years as a Bethany Care Centre resident where she frequently played the piano, entertaining her fellow residents on floor 3 South. Alice Jean loved her Christian family life and had an innate understanding of people. Many will miss her.

Alice Jean is survived by her sister Kathleen Kerr, her three children Warren Smistad (Cathy), Rikard Smistad (Valerie Kinnear) and Ingrid Osborne (Kevin); five grandchildren Ian (Meghan), Breton (Lianne), Carla Schekk (Adam), Erik, and Andrew (Courtney) and many great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Alice Jean’s family are especially thankful to her Bethany caregivers who provided compassionate care for Alice Jean as she lived out her final years.

A Celebration of Alice Jean’s Life will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on November 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bethany Care Foundation.