Leonard and Erna Soerd

L to R: Amanda (Moro) Matiisen, Erna (Langer) Soerd and Salme (Koni) Matiisen on the occasion of twins Arnold and Alfred Matiisen's 50th birthday in Eckville, Alberta in 1956. Leonard (Leo) Soerd emigrated from Estonia in early 1927 and made his way to the Eckville area. His wife Erna was born in Medicine Valley. In 1939 they purchased land west of the Blue Bell district, near Medicine Valley.

Leo and Erna had four children: Doreen, born in 1935, Leona (1941), John (1942; died in 1947), and Debra (1954).

Pictured L to R: Art and Robert Langer, Karl Osel, and Leo and Volli Sõerd, ca 1930. Doreen earned a secretarial diploma. She lives in Calgary with her husband, George Heath, and their two children. Jean earned a B.Sc. She and her husband, William A. Brown, live in the Benalto district. Debra received a Bachelor of Social Work and lives in Calgary with her husband, James Murray.

Leo and Erna continue to farm.

Copyright © 2007 - 2011 Heritage Community Foundation and
the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. All Rights Reserved

Heritage Community Foundation Alberta Source Alberta Lottery Fund This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program
Alberta Estonian Heritage Society National Estonian Foundation of Canada Estonian Ministry of Education and Research

Alberta's Estonian Heritage