Astrid Linnea Appelquist (nee Fors) passed away at the Radville Marian Health Centre, Radville on Sunday, March 21, 2004 at the age of 93.

Astrid was born on August 7, 1910, at Stenby, Ostergotland, Sweden to Erik and Agnes Fors. Astrid attended many schools throughout Sweden as her family moved to many different places throughout the years.

Astrid met Adolf, the man of her dreams, while working for the Appelquist family on their farm. They fell in love, cruising the countryside on Adolf's Husqvarna motorcycle. They decided to come to Canada where the farming opportunities were promising.

On April 6, 1930 Astrid and Adolf were married in Halifax, N.S. and came to Neptune, SK by immigration train where a job was waiting for them on a farm. They also had to learn to speak English. They worked on the farm for 2 1/2 years for $45/month/couple during the summer months and $5/month/couple during the winter months. They then rented some land and stuck out the 'Dirty Thirties' and started buying farm land in the 40's and 50's when crops and prices improved.

Astrid loved horses and could be seen riding the countryside whenever she could. Astrid worked side by side with Adolf building their farm and raising a family of three children.

In 1967 they moved from the farm to make their home in Radville but continued to have an interest in the farm. In 1973, they retired and sold the farm and machinery to their son, Eric.

Over the years, Astrid and Adolf returned to Sweden several times to visit family and friends. Astrid's greatest love was her family, she always put them and their needs first and was always helping them whenever they needed help. She loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking (her Swedish meatballs were a favorite of all the family), baking (her pepparkakor or spice cookies were also a favorite), reading, putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, playing bingo and gardening - as soon as the ground was thawed and warm enough. The potatoes were planted so that they were ready to eat by the end of June.

She made many quilts over the years and we all have several to keep us warm on cold nights. She also enjoyed the many summers we all went to Kenosee Lake and Waskesiu Lake for our vacation. Astrid developed macular degeneration and her eyesight gradually deteriorated so she had to give up many of her favorite hobbies but continued baking until her accident on February 2nd.

Astrid was predeceased by her parents, two sisters and a brother, all of Sweden; her husband, Adolf in 1996 and her son, Eric, in 1984. She was a loving and kind person and will be sadly missed by her friends and family; daughters, Anna of Radville who lived with her and was her caregiver the past several years; May (Winston) Church of Balgonie and their two children, Gary of Southey, SK and Sheryl (John) Price of Sherwood Park, Alberta and their two children, Alex and Thomas; grandson, Darell (Kay) Appelquist of Weyburn and his children, Josh and Kari Appelquist of Regina; grandson, Barry (Holli) Appelquist of Regina and their children Jade and Eric; daughter-in-law, Marlene VanDeSype; a sister and several nieces and nephews in Sweden.

A Celebration of her life was held on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. from the Radville United Church, Radville, SK with Pastor Shelby Kinrade officiating. Interment followed at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, SK. The Active Pallbearers were: Darell Appelquist, Barry Appelquist, Josh Appelquist, Gary Church, John Price and Sonny VanDeSype.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Astrid's memory to the Radville Marian Health Centre, Radville, SK; SOC 2GO.

Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Memorial Chapel, Weyburn, SK.