Torbjorn Torsen Follinglo

A chapter in the history book closes as the family of TORBJORN (TONY) TORSEN FOLLINGLO announce his passing on August 20, 2012, at the age of 101 years.

Tony was born on November 5, 1910, to Thor and Anne Follinglo on the family farm in Ulnes, in the Valdres district of Norway. At the age of 19, following his 2 older brothers, Tony sailed to Halifax on the Stavanger Fjord in 1930. He arrived by train in Macrorie, Saskatchewan, where his brother had arranged for work. It was in Macrorie, where Tony met Agnes Odegard who would be his wife for 72 years.

Steady work was hard to find in the ""Hungry Thirties"" so Tony left for Alberta in 1934. His first job was on a farm near Foremost where he was told, ""If you can run a combine, you can have the job."" Knowing that hard work could make up for lack of experience, he took the job running a combine pulled by 8 horses.

In 1937, Agnes arrived from Saskatchewan and the two were married in Calgary. That year they moved to Foremost where Tony managed the John Deere agency. In 1942, Tony purchased the general store in Skiff where, in addition to the store, he had the John Deere agency, Imperial Oil sales and the post office. In 1948, he purchased a farm northeast of Foremost where he and Agnes farmed and raised their family. It was in the Foremost and Skiff communities where Tony made lifelong friendships and memories that he talked about often.

In 1967, Tony and Agnes bought a home in Lethbridge where he and Agnes lived together until her passing in September 2010. Tony continued to live in his own home, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow and gardening well past his 100 birthday. He was still in his home until a week before his passing.

While he was a proud Norwegian, continuing close ties with his siblings and their families in Norway as well as his Sons of Norway friends in Lethbridge, he was an even prouder Canadian. He was involved in local politics, with the Foremost school board and town council, and had a passion for politics throughout his life.

Tony was a social person who loved to visit, play cards and reminisce about the old days. His mind was sharp and whether it was discussing politics, the price of wheat, or counting a hand of crib, there wasn't much he missed even at 101.

His church family was also very important to him. He was a faithful, enduring member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lethbridge.

Tony saw generations of change in technology, medicine and politics throughout his lifetime but took it all in stride. His car was always a source of pride whether it was his first model T in the 1930s or his last Chevy in the year 2000.

Tony left a legacy of the importance of hard-work, honesty, faith and family and is lovingly remembered by his 4 children: Anna (Ted) Elford of Edmonton; Carolyn Coverdale of Lethbridge; Arnold (Dorothy) Follinglo of Edmonton and Karen (Blake) Marshall of Calgary; his grandchildren, Steven, Kathryn (Huy) and Janet (Chris); Dana (Lori), Todd (Karen) and Kirsten (Lorne); Kari and Amy; Denean (Dan) and great-grandchildren, Allison; Emma and Eric; Matthew and Megan; Faith and Elyse; Marshall and Damian.

Tony was predeceased by his parents, Thor and Anne; brothers, Einar, Tollef, Ivar, Knut, Magnus; sisters, Guri, Kjellaug, Karoline and Kristine; infant son, Norman; great-granddaughter, Alana; and his loving wife, Agnes.

Tony's wish was that his family will all meet again in heaven.

Family and friends are invited to pay their final respects between 7:00PM and 9:00PM on Friday August 24, 2012 at MARTIN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPELS, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday August 25, 2012 at THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, 2406 - 11 Avenue South, Lethbridge with Pastor Thomas Peterson, officiating.

Donations can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 2406 - 11 Ave South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 0K8 in Tony's name.