In Loving Memory

Darlene Andal

February 25, 1937 – June 27, 2025

In loving memory of a special mother, sister-in-law and aunt, Darlene Anne Andal (née Pladsen) of Melfort, SK has gone to claim her heavenly reward on June 27th, 2025, at the age of 88.

Born in Birch Hills, SK on February 25th, 1937, to Ruby and Selmer Pladsen, Darlene never talked much about her childhood. Despite this, we do know that Darlene spent time living in and around Hagen, Beatty, Melfort and Pathlow at various times during her childhood. Like so many young people back in the 1950’s, Darlene would only complete her Grade 10 before moving onto Commercial so she might enter the workforce.

In 1957, Darlene married Edvin Andal, who was also from the Melfort area. In that Ed was an electrician, they would end up moving from Melfort to Star City and then Saskatoon. Here Darlene would give birth to two sons, Mathew in 1972 and Timothy in 1973. After additional stops in The Pas, Meath Park and Birch Hills, Darlene and family came back ‘home’ to live in Melfort in 1984. After several years of taking whatever jobs she could get, Darlene would land her ‘dream job’ working as a secretary at the City of Melfort in 1988. It wasn’t so much that Darlene’s dream was to work for the City of Melfort as much as it was to find a 9-to-5 Monday through Friday job where she had her evenings and weekends free!

Having worked both as a secretary in the Department of Veterinary Medicine as well as the personal secretary to the Dean of the Physics Department at the University of Saskatchewan, Darlene always hoped that her sons would someday attend the U of S. Perhaps the proudest days of Darlene’s life were the days she could attend the Convocation ceremonies for her sons, Mathew and Timothy, and see them presented with their degrees in 1997.

Darlene would work at the City of Melfort until it was decided she was too old and was forcibly retired in 2006. However, Darlene would have the last laugh as she would go to work for Eisner Mahon Law Office up until the untimely passing of her youngest son, Timothy, in 2009. At this point Darlene decided to slow down and embrace retirement. Darlene’s husband, Ed, would pass away eighteen months later.

The two biggest loves of Darlene’s life were her sons, Mathew and Timothy, and anyone who has visited her home can attest to the fact that it is virtually a shrine to the two of them. While she never had any grandchildren of her own, Darlene did her best to be a special aunt to all her nieces and nephews. Family aside, there was little that Darlene enjoyed more than playing around in her yard. While many see having to take care of their yard as work, Darlene saw it as her therapy.

Christmas was also something special to Darlene that brought out her inner child. Few who visited the Andal house around Christmas will forget the lengths that Darlene would go to putting up her Christmas decorations and after her husband Ed passed away, her Christmas trees. Those lucky enough to be at the Andal house on Christmas Eve would get the pleasure of tasting her perfectly round and tasty lefse and smoked cod.

There were two books that greatly influenced Darlene’s life. The first one being the Holy Bible, which may come as a surprise to some as Darlene never tried to force her faith and beliefs upon anyone. Rather, like her grandmother, Mary Flower, Darlene chose to live a Christian life and serve as a role model that others might try and follow. Darlene greatly admired her grandmother’s strength, supportiveness and nurturing nature, as well as her capacity to maintain a sense of serenity and inner peace in the face of adversity. The second book that helped shape Darlene’s life was Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s, “The Power of Positive Thinking”. Darlene did not merely read this book; she went out of her way to live it! Given how many people will remember Darlene’s cheerful demeanor, optimism and positive attitude, we can all say that she was successful.

Darlene often told her son Mathew that she planned to live to see her one hundredth birthday. Rather than take a pill for every ache and pain, or whatever the doctor prescribed, Darlene did her own reading and lived by the mantra that ‘food is our medicine.’ Given how careful she was with what she ate and how physically active she was, the fact that Darlene was cut down by cancer at the age of 88 is a bit of a shock to all who knew her.

Those left to cherish the memories of Darlene are her son Mathew Andal, sisters in law Mildred Knight, Dolly Pederson and Alvina Watts, and a host of nieces and nephews, both regular, great and great-great.

Darlene’s family would like to thank Dr. Erin Beresh, Dr. Ruth O’Carroll and the doctors, nurses and staff at Melfort Hospital, the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert as well as Nirvana Assisted Living for the compassionate care they gave Darlene in her final 73 days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in Darlene’s memory through the link on her online obituary at https://www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com. After all, cut flowers may last but a week or two but a tree planted in Darlene’s memory may live for a century or more!

Those who wish to, may dedicate a donation in Darlene’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society in the hopes that someday we can prevent any more people from having to die as a result of this horrible disease.

Let all those who knew Darlene cherish the memories you have of her. May she rest in peace and her spirit live on in those whose lives she touched! Arrangements entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium (306)752-3838

• Date : 2025-06-27
• Location : Melfort