Obituary of Tena Opdendries
On Wednesday October 4, 2023, at the age of 96, our beloved Mother, Oma, sister and aunt, Tena Opdendries of Red Deer went home to be with her Lord and Saviour.
Tena (Trijntje) was the sixth of nine children in the Zee family from Andijk, North Holland, Netherlands. Tena had an idyllic childhood and her strong faith sustained her as a teenager during the war years. Tena’s home economics training served her well during the years she provided childcare and housekeeping assistance for busy young families. In 1949 Tena emigrated to southern Alberta, Canada with her parents and three sisters where they joined the rest of their core family.
In 1952 she married Adolf and they spent a short while in Nordegg before moving to Red Deer. Easy-going and content, Tena found pleasure in family time, flowers, birds, a variety of pets and listening to opera music. Tena’s children revere her consistent calmness which provided a peaceful home to grow up in. Tena always had time to stop and visit, especially for children. Tena had an amazing gift of making others always feel welcome and included, she loved when family and friends came to her home. She also treasured trips to go visiting near and faraway places. For 58 years Tena and Adolf lived on the corner of 47 street and 38 avenue in Red Deer. In 2011 they moved to a condo on Michener Blvd and she spent the last three years at Extendicare.
She is lovingly remembered by her children Dick (Judy), Wilf (Verla), Jane (Don), Brenda (Ken), Sharon (Frank), 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish her memory are two sisters, three brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, her son’s widow, 16 spouses of immediate family and a very large extended family.
Tena was predeceased by Adolf her loving husband of nearly 60 years, her dear son Gordon, two infant sons, an infant daughter, her parents, five sisters, her brother and several in-laws.
The family extends special thanks to Dr. Holmes, Dr. Hovan and the caring and committed staff of Units 3600 and 3800 at Extendicare Michener Hill and the friendly staff of Helping Hands.
A service to celebrate Tena’s life will be held at the First Christian Reformed Church, 16 - McVicar Street, Red Deer AB on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 11:00 am with Pastor Gary Bomhof officiating.
The service can be live streamed at https://www.firstcrcreddeer.ca/video-streaming.html
In lieu of flowers and memorial donations you are encouraged to plan a family “sit down” meal and enjoy the time together as a family.
Condolences to Tena’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net . Please indicate “Opdendries” in the subject line.
Arrangements in care of
Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service
A locally owned cremation and funeral provider
serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta
587-876-4944