Inger Marguerite Grieve (nee Nielsen) passed away peacefully in Calgary on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the age of 85 after a brief illness. She was in the company of her devoted daughters Laurie and Robyn. Inger was born in Calgary, AB on Feb. 28, 1936 to Laurits and Ellen Nielsen, who had immigrated to Canada from Denmark a few years earlier. Inger grew up in Beaver Creek and Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, BC after living a few yrs. in Calgary and then in Kamloops, BC. Inger was the youngest of 5 children, all who have predeceased her. At the age of 15 Inger quit school and moved out on her own with the blessing of her parents, beginning a new chapter of life on her own. Inger worked at a department store for several years and then became a telephone operator and then a clerk in a drug store.
In September 1956 at the age of 20 Inger met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Grieve, through a good friend of hers while he was visiting from Fruitvale, BC. Bob then moved to the Island to be with Inger. Several months later they were engaged and on June 1, 1957 they married. In April of 1958 their first child was born, Randall Gordon Grieve. The couple and baby moved to Bob’s home town of Fruitvale, BC when Randy was a toddler. In Jan. 1961 a second son was born, David Bruce Grieve. At this time, they were living at the Emerald Mine in Salmo, BC where Bob continued his career as a mechanic. Bob and Inger decided to move back to Fruitvale and bought a small 8.5 acre hobby farm with a couple of cows and calves, eventually adding horses, chickens, dogs and cats. Bob continued working at the mine. In August of 1965 their 3rd son was born, Mark Lawrence Grieve. Three years later in May of 1968 they adopted a baby girl, Laurie Marie Grieve at the age of 8 months old. In February 1970, their 5th child, Robyn Suzanne Grieve was born.
Inger worked hard daily, raising 5 children, keeping up the house and taking care of outdoor chores while Bob worked (at Cominco by this time). Inger belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church in Fruitvale and all of the children grew up going to the Lutheran Church and Sunday school. She was a member of the Ladies Aid and had a strong sense of faith.
In Sept. 1975 Inger lost her oldest son Randy in a motorcycle accident at the age of 17. She relied on her faith to give her strength to carry on as well as her husband Bob and her other 4 children that she still had to care for (with a lot help from her mother-in-law, Grace Grieve).
Inger loved gardening, she always maintained large vegetable garden, raspberry canes, and eventually had a multitude of beautiful rose bushes of various colors, lining the yard. She baked like there was no tomorrow, breads and buns, she canned fruits, made homemade jellies and jams. Everything that could be home made, she made. Inger was also a very good seamstress. Over the years she made clothing and outfits for the children, Halloween costumes and even made the girls their Prom and Graduation dresses.
In Nov. 1986 Inger and Bob were blessed with their first grandchild Michael Robert Grieve, followed by Colton Wade Grieve 1989, Jesse Randall Grieve 1991, Kaetlyn (Kaetie) Alissa MacDonald 1995, Kierian David Pearson 1998 and Ethan Robert Pearson 2001.
In May of 1995 Inger and Bob suffered another unimaginable loss when their second born son, Dave, passed away at the age of 34 leaving behind his 2 sons, Colton 6 and Jesse 4.
In November 2000, Inger lost her husband Bob. She was 65 and decided to get her driver's license in order to keep her independence. Her grandson Mike Grieve moved in with her to finish his high school years and she then became Gramma to many more young men in Fruitvale. Inger even taught Mike how to drive and he got his license with her help.
In 2007 Inger moved to Alberta to be closer to all of her children. She settled in Airdrie and started a new life at the age of 71. While in Airdrie, Inger became involved with a (Lutheran) Mission church which she attended until March 2020. Inger was known for the Baby quilts she would make for new babies at her church as well as for family and friends in Fruitvale and she carried on that tradition in Airdrie as well as making baptismal clothes. Inger was also active with the Airdrie “Over 50 Club” and there she began to play Shuffleboard. After 2 years she competed and made her way to the Alberta Senior Games with her team mate. They won Bronze! Inger was also a volunteer in Airdrie at Bethany Senior Homes as well as at Ralph McCall Elementary school, helping the Grade 1 and 2 students with their reading. She really enjoyed that.
In 2017 Inger moved into a wonderful Senior Supportive Living facility in Calgary and spent her remaining years there. She met a wonderful new friend Edna, without whom none of us can imagine Ingers life being complete. Edna and Inger were a great support for each other and brought so much to each other's life.
Inger is survived by her children Mark, Laurie, Robyn (husband Ric Pearson), her grandchildren Mike (Marina), Kaetie (Jake), Colton (Catherine and great grandchild Levi), Jesse, Kierian and Ethan. Many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Bob, sons Randy and Dave.
Rest in Peace Mom, we love and miss you terribly.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday July 24, 2021 at 11:00am at Evan J. Strong Funeral Services in Calgary, AB. Internment and reception to follow at a later date, in Fruitville BC. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with
