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Dorlene Elizabeth Blades Swainson

September 10, 2017

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Dorlene Elizabeth Blades Swainson passed away peacefully at Michener Hill Extendicare in Red Deer, on Sept. 10, 2017 at the age of 90.

Dorlene was born on June 27, 1927 in Millet, AB. Her family moved to Red Deer when Dorlene was a small child and she grew up in the vicinity of Michener Hill. She attended Red Deer Public School and for 3 of those years she was home bound because of a heart murmur.

Dorlene was a very obedient child and loved her family immensely especially her identical twin Donabelle, always loving time spent together with her parents, brothers and sisters. She was taught about service at a young age and that became ingrained in her, always helping others in various capacities.

After High School, Dorlene attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and excelled in dress making and tailoring. In 1949 she married her high school sweetheart Stanley Swainson and together they raised 11 children on their family farm west of Red Deer in the Burnt Lake area. She was fiercely devoted to her children, was active in her community and church and always gave freely of her time and talents.

Dorlene is survived by her children, Richard (Wendy) of Cardston, Laura Walker (Wayne) of Calgary, David of Calgary, Diane Chiles (Jim) of Red Deer, Stephen (Jackie) of Red Deer, Philip of Spirit River, Judy Sorpold (Darcy) of Cardston, son-in-law Joseph Alanko of Calgary, 55 cherished grandchildren and 142 precious great-grandchildren.

Dorlene is also survived by her siblings, Donabelle Anderson of Saint George, Utah, Leonard (Dorothy) Blades of Red Deer, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dorlene was predeceased by her loving husband Stanley and four of her children, Paula, Teddy, Wenda (Alanko) and Sharon, great-grandsons Stephen and Griffin, her parents James and Johanna Blades, her siblings Emily (McLean), Donald, Phyllis (Turner) and Leona.

Interment will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday the sixteenth of September 2017 at Alto-Reste Memorial Gardens with a Memorial Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 8 Keast Way, Red Deer. There will be a viewing on Friday evening, September 15, 2017 from 7 until 9:00 p.m. at Eventide Funeral Home, 4820 - 45th St., Red Deer. 403-347-2222.

The family would like to express their deep love and appreciation to the caregivers and staff at Red Deer Michener Hill Extendicare for the amazing love and compassion that was shown to our Mother - they truly are angels among us!!

In lieu of flowers, please donate generously to the Red Deer Food Bank, 12, 7429 - 49th Ave. Red Deer, T4P 1N2