It is with great sadness and much love that the family of Lorette Rusnak announce her passing at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on December 1, 2025, at the age of 79 years.

Born on July 30th, 1946, to Sally and Louis Affolder in Leduc, Alberta, Lorette grew up in the countryside southwest of Edmonton surrounded by the warmth and support of her loving family

and friends from the broader community. Her love of nature and connection to community fuelled a lifelong passion for outdoor adventures and community-based artistic activities. In 1967, shortly after entering the workforce in the mid 60s, Lorette married Leonard “Len” Rusnak, who had been teaching high school in Calmar, Alberta. The young couple initially settled in Edmonton, where Len undertook doctoral studies at the University of Alberta, and where they began raising a young family, with the birth of their first two children. When Len graduated with his PhD in 1971, the family moved to Red Deer, Alberta where they raised their family.

While Lorette dedicated her life’s work first and foremost to her family and to raising and caring for her children, she also dedicated time to her volunteer work and artistic interests, including apractice in ceramics and the study of art history, which she pursued at Red Deer College. Inspired by the beauty and complexity of nature she loved taking long walks and hikes, both in the Red Deer area, as well as in the Rocky Mountains.

Lorette is loved and cherished by many people whom she is survived by, including daughters, Tanya and Adrea; son, Gerett; daughter-in-law, Pamela; granddaughter, Nadia; brothers, Wallace, Ken, Edward, and Lester; sisters-in-law, Edna, Maggie, and Elizabeth, as well as numerous cousins; nieces; nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, by sister-in-law, Helga Affolder; nephew, Gregory Affolder, and by her husband of 57 years, Len.

Throughout her life, including during her later years, Lorette had very fond memories of many camping and hiking trips with her family in the outdoors of western Canada. As Lorette continually sought joy, rejuvenation, and connection in nature throughout her life, the family will be holding a private memorial service in the mountains at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lorette Rusnak’s memory can be made to A Living Tribute (https:// www.alivingtribute.ca/) by planting a tree in her honour.

Condolences to Lorette’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Lorette Rusnak” in the subject line.

 

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944

• Date : 2025-12-15
• Location : Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, Red Deer AB "Locally Owned"