LILY MARGARET BOSTROM SEABERG

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LILY MARGARET BOSTROM SEABERG

When Nurse Rodney asked how she was doing, Lily replied as usual "Better than nothing!" She went to lie on her bed and shortly thereafter, Lily Margaret Bostrom Seaberg, passed away quickly and peacefully on September 2, 2020, at the age of 97, at River Park Gardens.
She is reunited in death with her husband, Walter Eric Seaberg, who passed away March 22, 2005. Those left to cherish her memory are her son Gordon and Andrea, his children: daughter Krista, and her children: Tyler Hale, Olivia and Ashton; and son Jon Eric and Dianne and their children: Janessa, Jordon, Kendyl and Makera; and her daughter Christine and Ralph; and her son Ryan; nephew Don Lindwall and family in Edmonton; nephew Allan and Marie Bostrom and family in Edmonton; nephew Eric Bostrom and Bernice in Comox; niece Susan and Ken Semotiuk and family in Edmonton.
Living in the north end on Bannerman, Lily was the youngest of five children of Per Olaf and Margreta Viktoria Naslund Bostrom. Two of the children died by the age of two and another one died in his teens. Lily's mother was very protective of her young daughter limiting the types of activities she could do; however, she did encourage her to learn the accordion. She took lessons at Lowe's in downtown Winnipeg, and she was encouraged to participate as one of the Accordion Maids. This group of four women toured all over southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the early 1940s playing on what was billed as the "B" circuit. She loved playing and touring. At the same time, she worked as a comptometer operator at Modern Dairies. Once she was married to Walter, she did not work and rarely played the accordion again. She devoted her attention to her beloved children: Gordon and Christine.
Lily and Walter were both born in Winnipeg of Swedish immigrants. They married in 1946 in Red Deer, Alberta, where Walter was working for the CPR. Within a year, they were back in Winnipeg with Walter working again with the CPR. In the mid 1950s Walter gained employment at the Ford Motor Company Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and the young family moved to Park Forest, Illinois. For the next 25 years, the Seaberg family lived there until Walter retired and they returned to Winnipeg to live out the rest of their lives.
The family cottage at Ingolf, Ontario, was a huge draw for all the Seabergs over the generations. Both Walter and Lily enjoyed being at the lake and socializing with lake friends, many of whom were like family. Both Walter and Lily also enjoyed spending many of their winters in Panama City Beach, Florida.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at River Park Gardens, especially Rodney, Nancy, Chris, Parminder, Karen and many others who took the time to talk to and care for our Mom. Also, we wish to thank the staff at Calvary Place, especially Elvira, we will never forget you! Also, many thanks to Joy Lutheran Church and Pastor Ed Mitchler for giving Mom strength and companionship for many years before and after Walter's death. Finally, thanks to the neighbours on Tranquil Bay especially Fay, Wayne, and Susan who checked in on Mom over the years. Mom loved her last home very much and didn't want to leave.
Lily has been cremated and the family will have a short service at the gravesite after the Covid 19 pandemic is under control and Gordon and his family can come to Canada.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 12, 2020