Laurie Grahn

Laurie Elizabeth Grahn was born on July 17th, 1957 in Camrose, Alberta. She passed away on September 12th, 2025, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Much too soon.

Laurie grew up in Hay Lakes, Alberta, the youngest and only girl in her family. She had four older brothers to keep up to. She did well in school. It was a happy childhood. She was especially close to Kendall, her next oldest brother. Her love of horses led to her having her very own horse when she was a teenager, riding in gymkhanas on her tough little buckskin mare.

She worked at Al Omings Game Farm for a while and at various other jobs. Eventually she travelled to Ontario to receive training in meteorology. When she graduated, she was hired by Environment Canada. Her first years as a meteorologist were spent up North. She loved the Arctic, the freedom and beauty of it and the people. Later she was transferred to Edmonton where she eventually looked after the western Canada computer system for Environment Canada.

She bought an acreage near Hay Lakes and soon met the love of her life, John Jobin, a very talented concrete contractor. They were together for twenty-five years. They had several horses, John also rode, and they had a trailer with which they took many holiday trips. Both were very fond of cats. They grew a big garden and had many projects going.

Laurie was a help and support to her Mom as her mother aged. She also looked after her older brother Randy when their mother passed away. She cared for an uncle who needed help and did the same for a cousin. She was generous with her time and energy.

When John died in 2017, Laurie deep in grief, sold the acreage and found homes for the remaining horses. Her faithful “Lady”, a mare she had had for 27 years died the same day that John did. Laurie moved into Camrose.

After John’s death she began to have speech problems. As her ability to communicate declined she moved several times, and sought help for her condition. Her last move was to Fort Saskatchewan where she had family.

Unfortunately, in March of 2025 it was necessary for her to move into a care home, and six months later she was moved to hospital, where she died peacefully a couple of weeks later.

Laurie was predeceased by her parents, Wanda and John Oscar Grahn, her brother Randolf, Grace (a lifelong friend), and her husband John. She is survived by: many friends, three nieces and three nephews, many cousins and by her brothers: Leon of Burnaby, B.C., Allen (Anna) of Fort Saskatchewan, Kendall (Jennifer) of Hay Lakes.

There will be no funeral, as per her wishes. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s society, to any animal rescue, or to a charity of your choice. Laurie supported many organizations.

Laurie’s family would like to thank the kind people who looked after her – the home care, the staff at Aster Gardens in Sherwood Park, who cared for her, and the nurses and doctors at the Fort Saskatchewan Hospital, who were so understanding, and especially those who kept her comfortable in her last days.