Leni Gustava Honsaker, née Grotefend
Leni passed away 24 January 2017 in Tofield, Alberta.
She was born in Germany 16 May 1934; in the university city of Goettingen. She came to North America with her husband John in 1956. After living in the US in Pasadena, Los Alamos, and Chicago, she came to Canada in the Centennial Year of 1967.
At the Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, she learned to be a library technician, and then worked in the Boreal Library at the University of Alberta. Later, she worked with University botanical collections in the herbarium, and preparing geologic fossils millions of years old.
After retiring, she lived in rural Strathcona County, Alberta, enjoying nature and wildlife in the area. There she could also express her love for her pet dogs and cats. Trips to the Rocky Mountains were always a pleasure, including some hiking and mountain climbing. She was proud to act as house mother for the Youth Hostels in Jasper. Other travelling went to many interesting places between the Galapagos islands in South America and Russia.
There was always time for her hobbies of artistic sewing and stitching. She was known as a Friend of Early Music, especially 18th century Baroque music. She was a great supporter of the Alberta Baroque Ensemble, and the International Handel Festival based in Goettingen.
Leni celebrated 60 years of marriage to John in 2016. Beside her husband, she leaves four nieces in Germany and two sisters-in-law in the US.
A Celebration of her life will be held at a later date and announced through Trinity Funeral Home.
Dear John,
Thank you for your email. I did not know of Leni’s paralysis. This is very tragic.
I sincerely mourn your loss, a loss for all of us who knew Leni.
You have both been such good friends for some fifty years and have shown me much generosity and kindness and I will always remember that.
Sincerely
Fred
Dear John,
i was so sorry to hear of Leni’s passing. I have fond memories of Hugh and my time as neighbours and the very enjoyable meals at your place. She was a kind lady and a fine hostess. My deepest sympathy.
Sheila Campbell
She will be missed.
What a good hearted woman–sorry to hear she has gone.
She will be missed from this world while she joins the bands of angels.
Henry and Tina
Vancouver Island
I am so sorry to hear of Leni’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are woth you John and Leni’s family. She will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear of Leni’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you John and with Leni’s family. She will be missed.
Take care
I dearly loved Leni ~ she was a good friend as well as my brother’s wife ~ Leni’s seasonal stitch work will bring her delightful memories to us all year ~ Leni shared her many talents with all the lives she touched ~ A life lived well ~ and now John continues sharing his music ~ a good example for us all ~ Marion
On behalf of the Board and staff of Strathcona County Library, you have our sincere condolences on Leni’s passing. She was a dedicated volunteer and supporter of the Library and Bookmobile. Our deepest sympathies — Sharon
Thanks for the kind words. We are planning a celebration of her life at the Hasings Lake Hall (Bookmobile stop) on May 16 – her birthday about 2 pm until the Bookmobile gets there. Please let me know who may be coming. John
Very sorry to hear of your loss, John. I will always remember Leni’s cheerful ways when she visited the Meteorology Division on the second floor of Tory.