Onalee Canfield, age 69, of Isanti died September 22, 2020 at home. A private service will be held and a public Celebration of Life when it is safe to do so. A video of the private service will be available for 75 days starting Sunday, October 11th on our website.
Click here to watch recorded service
Onalee Jean Canfield was born on October third 1950 to Alton and Audrey Rask. She had a Mayberry childhood growing up in Isanti…playing with her friends Mary Jo, Cathy, Heidi and Debbie. Kick the can nights in the back field and baton parades right down Main Street.
Onalee graduated from Cambridge Isanti high school in 1968. She went to college in St. Cloud majoring in education. Two weeks before graduation, Onalee met Rog and the love story began. About the same time, Rubie Bellin her sixth grade teacher, called, offering her a third grade teaching job in Isanti. So began the career of an Isanti kid teaching Isanti kids. Onalee’s teaching career brought her joy and love for thirty six years.
Rog and Ona were married in 1973. Kelly and Matt came along and their family was complete. Life was good. Even better when Kelly married Curt. Then Rog died in 2006. Sweet Sam entered the family in 2009. Onalee retired in 2010 and spent the next few years helping with taking care of Sam, and oh, did they have fun.
Family tragedy struck again in 2016 when Matt died. This loss totally broke Ona’s heart.
Onalee loved gardening, mowing her yard, playing Old Maid, going to concerts, playing cards with her friends, music, especially John Prime, cheering on her Minnesota Wild and her beloved town of Isanti.
Onalee died September 22, 2020 at home at the age of 69 years, 11 months and 19 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alton and Audrey Rask; husband, Roger; son, Matt; sister-in-law, Dayna; brothers-in-law, Jerry and Bob Canfield.
She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Kelly (Curt) Waalen; grandson, Sam; brothers, Mike Rask; Steve (Chris) Rask; sister, Andi (Tom) Jacobson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sandy (Gary) Peterson, and Marge (Don) Heurung; other relatives and many friends.
Dave and Barb says
We will miss you so much Onalee 😢 will always remember the fun times the 3 of us had.. dinner and cards, John Prine concert, weekend in Duluth, Minnesota State Fairs …..
RIP dear friend
Dave and Barb
Sandy Prosen says
Onalee – you were a fun person and a beautiful friend. God bless you in heaven with Rog and Matt!
Mary Beth says
Oh Onalee, there are no words…yet I will do my best to muster them up. Thank you for being such a great friend over the years. I will remember with fondness all of our visits over lunch at the Creamery Cafe in Isanti, and the occasional movie at GTI theaters in Cambridge, and the year we set out to attend all of the events during Isanti’s Holiday Open House (but there were so many that we ran out of time). Your calling as a teacher was evident right to the end…thanks for teaching me how to play the card game, Hand & Foot. It’ll never be the same without you. You left a wonderful legacy behind Onalee. One full of love, laughter, and a lifetime of cherished memories. Thank you for being you and for living life on your own terms. You truly are inspirational. My sincerest condolences to Kelly, Curt, and Sam, as well as the vast list of extended family and friends. I will continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Trina Godfrey says
I taught at IMS, and always admired Onalee’s dedication for teaching. She cared a great deal about her students, and it always showed. Her humor was fun, too!
I also admired her dedication to her community, and a know that sense of community spirit had an influence on me.
She made a wonderful impact on the world, and will be missed.
Sincerely,
Trina Godfrey
Brenda Nemic says
Oh Mrs Canfield we sure go way back in time. Having you for my advisory teacher all through middle school and as my homeroom teacher in 6th grade sure kept me on my toes. Couldn’t get away with chewing gum around you for anything!! I graduated with Matt and also attended confirmation with him at Faith Lutheran Church. Lucky for us we still were able to be confirmed after the stunts we pulled having our retreat on April fool’s weekend . You were always there for him. Just like you have been and were for me over the years and following the passing of my dad in 1996 and my mom in 2013. Being they were burried right by Rodger and Matt you and I would talk and you would let me know you watered the flowers at my parents grave for me because you knew it wasn’t always an easy place for me to be. I will miss our conversations about anything and everything and I will miss seeing your smiling face no matter the circumstances. You are a true inspiration and the world is a better place because of you. My heart goes out to all your family. And I will keep them all in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynda Skalicky says
I met Onalee in the fall of 1986, when I was fortunate to be assigned to her for my student teaching. The next year, I was hired at IMS, and my classroom was right next to hers. We taught together for a number of years, in both 6th and 7th grades. From my student teaching days until her retirement, Onalee was a source of guidance and inspiration to me in my own classroom. I learned a lot from her. But more than that, Onalee became a treasured friend. She and Rog were both so good to Scott and me and so much fun to do things with. I will always cherish the memories I have of those early years, as well as the memories from more recent years. I’m happy she is with Roger and Matt again, but I will miss her presence on Earth. Kelly, Curt, and Sam, you have my deepest sympathy. She loved you all so very much.
Lisa Miller says
Onalee was a dear friend to me and all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was someone who said YES to life. She said YES to kindness and adventure. We loved going to live music together. She was always up for a concert. I used to chuckle at how many friends Onalee could make in a night out, from the waiter at the restaurant to people sitting next to us at show. She had that special spark that ignited a smile and conversation. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to know her, to spend time with her, and to witness the life of someone who lived with such courage and kindness.
Burton Sundberg says
I will miss sweet Onalee, my niece, She always showed interest in my Facebook postings or messages, and she was always so kind and thoughtful at the times we were able to visit in her home or the local “Creamery”. She had a great sense of humor that helped her through the struggles and adversities of her life. I pray God will Bless her memory to this Uncle of hers who loved and respected her.
With love and prayers for her dear family and siblings, Uncle Burt.
Sheila Murff says
We came together once back in the late 1990s supporting cancer. I met both Onalee and Rog and made note with a happy smile that these two were a perfect couple. We stayed in contact via social media throughout these years. I remember when she told me that Matt’s school project was named after my email address of an Island of its own. She talked often how she loved teaching and the wonderful kids in Isanti. I saw and read of her pain in the loss to both hubby and son and asked why did she have to suffer like this but she projected her strength and courage in the love of her remaining family and friends and even distant folks like myself. Remarkable woman. My deepest condolences to family and friends. I’d like to think she is with Rog and Matt watching over her family.