Alice Karlsen Rapanos

Alice Karlsen Rapanos (nee Aspelund) passed away peacefully on July 6, 2023 after almost 93 years of living a full and rewarding life. It all started on a family homestead in North Battleford, Saskatchewan where Alice was born the 9th of 10 children to her parents, Charles Karl Antonson Aspelund and Alice Gjestang Kristiansen Aspelund. Her parents emigrated from Norway, and settled in Saskatchewan during the 20’s. Alice had five brothers, Karleton, Kristian, Anton, Karl and Jack, and four sisters, Ingrid, Anne, Marie and Jenny, all are now predeceased except for the youngest child, Jenny. Their modest home and large property was surrounded by the vastness of the prairies, and miles and miles of wheat fields. Alice often reminisced fondly about the one-room school she attended at Willow Heights, and her many farm chores, among them selling eggs to the local people. It has always been apparent to us that the “farm girl” never left Alice, and her determination, resourcefulness and spirit is a tribute to that. Alice was predeceased by her parents early on in her life. “Sweety” as she was nicknamed, was only 7 years old when her father died, and 14 years old when her mother past away suddenly. Alice spoke lovingly and proudly of her mother, and often shared stories of the challenges her mother faced when raising a large family on a rural property. Alice loved to sing, and she tributes her mother for helping her to nurture this talent by bringing a piano into their home. Alice continued to sing and for several years, she was a member of the United Church choir in Edgemont Village, North Vancouver. Alice left for the west coast when she was a young woman, and enrolled in the Psychiatric Nursing program at Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam. Her training was interrupted by a friendly and good looking young man, Hugh Rapanos, and they were married on October 29, 1951. Alice and Hugh enjoyed a wonderful marriage raising four children in North and West Vancouver. Hugh passed away suddenly in 1981 leaving Alice to 'carry on’ and it is a testament to her fortitude that she lived the next 40 years without the love of her life by her side. Alice was employed for many years as a Teacher’s Aide for the North Vancouver School Board, and worked lovingly with children with special needs. While working she also provided countless hours of babysitting, baking, cleaning, gardening and craft making with her grandchildren. Alice will be dearly missed by her four children, Gary Rapanos (Janet), Debbie Hendry (Brian), Nancy Barnett (Garry), Susan O’Neill (Stephen deceased), her eleven grandchildren, and her eight great grandchildren XOX. During the pandemic in the summer of 2020, Alice and her family celebrated her 90 th birthday (at a distance), and it was on that day that Alice said, “this is my Celebration of Life”. Alice loved her prairie roots, her loving husband, and her large and extended family, her work as a Psychiatric nurse, and the many years she spent in the classroom at Prince Charles School and Highlands Elementary in North Vancouver. Our “Granny” left us with many wonderful memories which we will hold dear in our hearts for many years to come. Thank you to the 7 West team at Lions Gate Hospital for their support and compassionate care for our mom.

No funeral service. Memorial donations may be made to the Lions Gate Foundation in gratitude for the excellent care she received.

“You know my love goes with you, as your love stays with me.” Leonard Cohen