MATIISEN Salme Matiisen died on Wednesday January 30, 2008 at Bethany Collegeside, Red Deer. Salme Koni was born in Tallinn, Estonia on March 1, 1912. She and Arnold Matiisen were married on June 1, 1936 in Tallinn and immigrated to Canada one year later, to join Arnold's twin brother, Alfred, in the Medicine Valley of Alberta. Salme and Arnold also resided for a few years in Mundare and in the hills above Lockhart, buying their own family farm in 1946, north of Eckville, the orginal Gilbertson homestead. This was to be Salme’s home for almost the rest of her long life thanks to the support of many neighbours and friends. The family remains particularly indebted for the care provided Salme by Tiiu Kalev, Julie Casey, Barbara Austin, the Eckville Thursday Club and the staff of the Eckville Community Health Centre and the Sylvan Lake Medical Clinic. Salme was and her family is very grateful for loving care provided at the end of her days by the nurses and personal care attendants on B1, Bethany Collegeside, as well as by neighbour Bonnie King. Left to mourn Salme in Alberta are her daughter Tina and her son Rein, daughter-in-law Heather, granddaughter Lara, nephew Arne with family and niece Eda McClung. Grieving in Estonia is extended family, including her sister Leida Kirstein, her nieces Tiiu Viirsalu, Anne Dorbek, and Tiina Krolov, her nephew Andres Koni, and the families of two nephews who predeceased her, Heiki Muur and Enn Koni. Salme was also predeceased by her nephew Hendo Matiisen in Canada and her two brothers in Estonia, Oskar and Alfred. Arnold left Salme a widow on September 18, 1992. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Eckville, Alberta with The Reverend Sandra Franklin-Law officiating. WILSON'S FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORIUM serving Central Alberta with locations in Lacombe & Rimbey in charge of the arrangements. 403-782-3366 or 403-843-3388 "A Caring Family, Caring For Families"