MRS. ANNA SYDOW
1907 – 2009
Anna Sydow passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at the age of 102 years. Anna was born in Villach, Austria on July 15, 1907. In 1923, at the age of 16, Anna immigrated to Canada with her mother Anna Koehl and two brothers, Thomas and John. Their long journey ended at the homestead near Lintlaw, SK, where they were re-united with her father Frank Koehl who had come to Canada in 1909. This reunion resulted in an addition to the family of five more children, two sisters, Eleanor and Frieda and three brothers, Alfred, Otto and Hans. Anna spent two years on the homestead and then moved to Regina, SK to pursue a life of her own. She worked at various jobs and in 1930 she moved to Saskatoon, SK where she met Rudy Sydow, who became her husband in 1932. In 1935 she and Rudy moved to Prince Albert, SK. By the age of 16, while still in Austria, Anna had achieved her Dressmaking Certificate. However in 1936 Anna’s priorities changed and she became a hairdresser. Her newfound hairdressing skills kept her very busy serving the people of Prince Albert for the next 27 years. Also during 10 years of her career, Anna owned and operated the Madison Beauty Salon. She was also a member of the Catholic Women’s League for over 50 years. Anna retired in 1963. Anna loved bowling and did so for many years. She also loved fishing and to put it in Anna’s words, “Rudy and I were ‘great fishermen’”. “We traveled extensively”, Anna told us, “Many times to the United States, bus tours in Europe and cruises to Africa, Egypt and other destinations. We had a good life.” The highlight for Anna however, was her visit to her birthplace of Villach, Austria in 1977. She visited the house she had been born in and ate apple strudel with the people who now occupy the place she once called ‘home’. Later, she visited a historic old church and stood gazing at the steeple, recalling the day they hoisted the bell on which her mother’s name remains engraved. Anna said, “it was the highlight of my life.” After her husband death in 1987, Anna sold her home and moved to Marquis Towers. She spent many happy hours playing bridge and crocheting afghans for family and friends. Anna is survived by her sister Eleanor (Cliff) Maier of Marquette Michigan; her brother Hans Koehl of Terrace, British Columbia as well as numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband Rudolph Sydow; her parents Frank and Anna Koehl; her brothers Thomas (Tillie), Alfred (Elizabeth), Otto and John; her sister Frieda (Hans) Bader; her sister-in-law Jean; her nephew Keith Koehl. Anna often referred to her homeland as the “Old Country” where she had her schooling, became a seamstress, which she did for a time in Regina, later became a hair stylist until her retirement. They enjoyed their car rides to Waskesiu. Thank you to Nettie and staff of Hillside Care Home with special thanks to Michelle. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 14 from River Park Memorial Chapel – 301 River Street West. Father Matthew Nguyen will officiate. Interment will take place in the Garden of Christus, Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lintlaw Cemetery in Lintlaw, SK or to the Catholic Women’s League of Prince Albert, SK. Family and friends may send email condolences to www.riverparkfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Lesley Sully.