In Memory Of

Letty Kangas

Jan 9, 1925 - May 8, 2026

Obituary

It is with sadness that the family of Letty Kangas announce that Letty passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, with her children by her side. While we grieve, we are also happy for her that she is reunited with her beloved husband, after missing him for 26 years.
Letty was born in Lithuania in 1925 and made the long journey by ship to Pier 21 with her mother, older sister Agnes, brother Alex, and her baby sister, Dona. She was four and remembered some of the trip; her poor mother was so seasick, that Agnes and another kindly passenger took care of the young children. After their arrival, they had a long train ride across Canada to Calgary where they were reunited with Letty’s father, who had already been working in Canada. They settled near Brooks, where Letty gained her love of gardening through her mother, who grew flowers and vegetables for sale in the community. In 1938, they moved out to a farm near Hespero. She said it was very lucky for her, as Urho Kangas lived near them, with his parents. They fell in love and were married in 1942, and formed an unbelievable duo, farming and raising their two children. They resided near Hespero and then bought their farm in Evergreen in 1947. As family, friends and neighbours will attest, Letty shared her bounty from her fabulously large and well-tended garden. Her baking was second to none, and her family and neighbours always knew there would be homemade cinnamon buns or bread, cookies, along with cheese and sausage, a big pot of coffee, and treats like Kugelis, waiting at the kitchen table whenever they stopped in for coffee. Fresh raspberries, peas, and other garden goodies were regular summer fare. She could do anything she set her mind to, whether it was helping fix the farm equipment, working in the fields, or taking care of the farm with two young children while Urho worked in logging camps in the winter. Letty and Urho loved to fish, and they fished much of the area over the years. They shared that love of fishing with some of their children and grandchildren. They knew the secrets of the best blueberry patches in the west country. Many years, Letty, Vicki Gerber, and Ida Wyzykoski would head out for a day in the blueberry patch, and the pies that followed were heavenly.
At age 96 Letty moved into the Eckville Manor, where she enjoyed talking to friends and neighbours and about how nice the staff at the Manor were to her. She fell and broke her ankle, and was in Rocky Hospital for many months, where she again felt she had excellent care. This meant she had to make a move to her final home, at Bethany Care in Sylvan Lake, where she grew to love her fellow neighbours, and was so grateful and happy with the loving care of the staff in her final years. Letty will be so missed, even as we celebrate 101 years of her life.
She is survived by her children, Carol (Ron) Skocdopole and Len (Marlene) Kangas, her 7 grandchildren and their spouses, 11 great grandchildren and their partners, and 3 great, great grandchildren. She was beyond thrilled to have lived long enough to meet her newest great grandchild, Lucas, with 100 years between their ages.
Letty had a theory, as the women in her family passed away at 85, that she was going to do so too. When it didn’t happen she would smile and say ‘guess my work with all of you isn’t done yet’. Her last years were a lesson in being graceful with aging, and appreciative of simple pleasures and the help of others. We are not sure if you finished your work on all of us, or Urho missed you too much and called you home, but we will treasure our memories and all we have learned from you. May your garden in heaven be plentiful, and the fishing good.
Letty was predeceased by her loving husband Urho Kangas, siblings, Agnes, Alex, Dona, daughter in law Maria Kangas and great grandson, Jamison Tyas.
As per her wishes, there will be a family graveside service.
In her memory, donations may be made to the Eckville Manor House Charitable Society ( Box 932, Eckville, AB T0M 0X0, in memory of Letty Kangas), for the purchase of their new bus for the residents, or to a charity of your choice.

Condolences

Joyce Zirk:

My condolences to all family and friends of Letty’s. She lived a great life.

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