Ilona Hagglund

April 8, 1936 - August 30, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
Ilona Amanda Karina Hagglund passed away peacefully at Lacombe Hospital on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at the age of 87. She was born on April 8, 1936 to John Hjalmar Salo and Saima Sofia Salo (Paulasaari) who farmed in the Usona District, west of Wetaskiwin.
Her siblings were brothers Carl Hjalmar, Vilho (Vil) August, Veikko (Vic) Armas, sister Ilmi Mary Elizabeth, and half-sister Irene Lydia Kyllikki.
Ilona attended school in Usona, and helped her father on the farm. In the late 1950s, she started working in Ponoka where she met Ron Hagglund. She and Ron married on February 7, 1960 and Ilona joined Ron on his farm in the Calumet District, east of Ponoka.
Their first son, Ronald Dale, was born on August 19, 1964, and his brother, Byron Garth, arrived on September 10, 1968.
Very early on, Ilona and Ron formed a true partnership in operating the farm that lasted until Ron's death in 2017: Ilona did field work when Ron was away from the farm as an auctioneer, and drove many truckloads of grain from the field to the bins.
She was a well liked and respected member of the local community, active in the Calumet Community Society for many years, often serving on the executive. She helped organize and collect stories for the Mecca Glen Memories history book, and was an editor for both editions.
Ilona was an excellent cook, and her pies were especially popular with anyone who had a chance to taste one. She kept a large, well-stocked garden, became an excellent seamstress who made many pearl-button shirts for Ron, Byron, and Dale, and who was especially proud of a wedding dress she made for her nephew's fiance.
Ilona was close to her nephew Trent Hoyem, his wife Ketty, and their children, and she was always happy to see them at their home in Calgary or at the farm.
Ilona was predeceased by her brother Vic, half-sister Irene, brother-in-law Ivar Hoyem, and her husband Ron.
She is survived by her brothers Carl, Vil and his wife Leona and their children, her sister Ilmi, her nephew Trent and his family, and by her sons, Dale and Byron, who love her and will always remember her.
A Funeral Service was held at the Ponoka Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023 with the Interment Service following at the Forest Home Cemetery. The Funeral Service was livestream broadcasted and recorded.
In lieu of flowers, we request donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation. To express condolences to Ilona's family, please visit womboldfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements Entrusted To Ponoka Funeral Home
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

Ponoka Funeral Home ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home