Obituary of Gail Barbara Hartegen
June 23, 1962 – February 1, 2019
Gail Barbara Hartegen passed away at home on February 1, 2019, at the age of 56 years. Gail was born June 23, 1962, the first of three daughters to Bernice and Alvin Jingling.
The family moved a few times over the years as they made their way from Edmonton to Wembley and always looked for a getaway spot to go away to on weekends, spending family time together. Elks Beach on Lac La Nonne brought many happy memories of camping starting out in tents until “the bear” incident when Mom slept in the car while Dad and the girls watched in wonder from the window of the tent. From there the family advanced to a tent trailer but again another bear incident with Dad scrambling to get in and catching his butt in the door. Mom had had enough and the next purchase was a holiday trailer. Gail loved to waterski and even tried barefoot.
Her first son Bruce was born in March 1979. Many hours were spent at Cozy Cove on Sturgeon Lake fishing, waterskiing, knee boarding, campfires, and if the day was good, a fish fry! Although Gail did not graduate from high school, she excelled in math and spent many years in the bookkeeping field. Gail met George in 1980 and they were married May 1984 and their son Mark was born November 1984.
Everyone truly enjoyed gathering together at the lake. It was the family go to place.
Gail definitely had the gift of gab, loved to talk but it was not always easy for anyone else to get a word in edgewise.! She was a very good cook and also loved to bake. The term supersize took on a whole new meaning. No one ever left hungry!
Her house was not a home without a set of four legs, a happy wagging tail and that indescribable measure of love for her dogs. Over the years Gail tackled many renovation projects. She was not scared to give it a try and she can be proud of her handyman skills. Good job, well done! Gardening was another time consuming project. George grew the vegetables, Gail was in charge of the processing with many hours of canning.
Gail is survived by her husband George, her sons Bruce (Jennifer) Jingling and Mark Hartegen; sisters Sharon (Owen) Renneberg and Karen (Andrew) Tofteland; nieces and nephew Kelsey, Ashton, and Brody Tofteland; granddaughters Tiara, Quaila and Channa Jingling, George’s sisters Trudi (Frank) Lowen, Ruth (Leo) Glowaski, Marilyn (Greg) Howarth, and their families.
Gail was predeceased by her parents Bernice and Alvin Jingling, as well as George’s brother Ron Oswald.
Gathering of family and friends will take place on February 16, 2019, at 2pm at Bear Creek Funeral Home/Richmond Reception Center 11802 99 Avenue, Grande Prairie. Refreshments to follow.
Memorial donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation, 10409 98 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2E8 or The Alberta Lung Association, #204 10102 101 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2P9.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com