Obituary of Elsie Raghild Hanson

Elsie Raghild Hanson passed away at the Riverside Health Complex, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at the age of 89 years.

Elsie is survived by: her daughter, Pam (Louis) Rivard and their children, Tammy (Lyndon) Bergsma and Marty (Mandy) Rivard; her great grandchildren, Jori, Colson, Danica Bergsma and Aiden and Aimsley Rivard; her sister, Frances Pushie (Tom Hodgins); her brother, Fay (Kay) Sholinder; her God child, Sheldon Manship; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and great grandchildren.

Elsie was predeceased by: her loving husband, Leonard; her parents, Carl “Eddie” and Josephine Sholinder; her chosen parents, Siebert and Gertie Sholinder; her sister and brother-in-law, Betty (Wayne) Morris; her brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence (VI) Sholinder; her daughter, Patricia Rogers (nee Hanson); her grand daughter, Brandy Rivard; and brother-in-law, Lyall Pushie;

The funeral service for Elsie will be conducted from Good Shepherd United Anglican Church, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Friday, November 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM CST.

Donations in memory of Elsie may be made to Nursing Home Residence Council of Turtleford or Charity of Choice.

Elsie's funeral card can be viewed or downloaded from the link below.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/d1e83172-88d1-496f-a781-204bbd7e92d6

Eulogy

Mom was born January 24th, 1928 to Eddie and Josephine Sholinder on the farm near Milleton.  She was baptized on October 28, 1928 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Mervin. Mom was the second child of Eddie and Josephine and was welcomed by her older brother Lawrence. A couple of years later along came Betty then the twins Fay and Frances. There was much excitement in their home with these babies.

They all used to go with their parents to house card parties and dances at Milleton Hall. Mom's relatives played the music and I often wonder if that was where she picked up an ear to play the accordion. She remembered coming home from a dance where the sleigh upset and when they regrouped one child was missing. Her Mom walked back a ways and found Betty all wrapped up and sleeping soundly. One card party at their house Mom was to take a note to Nicholsons  for them to bring some tables and chairs but she got tired and laid down along the roadside where she fell asleep. Nicholsons happened to come along with their team and wagon, found her and took her home. She wasn't sure if she got a spanking or not.

I think Mom went to grade 8 at McLaren and Milleton Schools and she spent her summers going to school picnics. Sunday's in July and August were spent picking saskatoons which were their main fruit for the winter. They would head out with team, wagon and picnic lunch so the eldest kids would stay at the wagon to babysit while their parents picked all day. Her mother would can all kinds of berries for days and even make some saskatoon wine.  Gardening, feeding chickens, milking cows, hauling wood and water were also chores they all shared. Times were hard back then Mom said but they never went hungry.

December 5,1935 her mother passed away suddenly at the age of 28 and Mom was only 7. Grandpa Eddie had to raise 5 kids so they had many house keepers but that didn't work so well.  Mom said she never will forget that first winter they received a big box of kids clothes that came from a club in Maidstone. They were so excited! All of the clothes were made use of as so many women could sew in that district so they altered them all to fit this young unfortunate family. At Christmas Mom and Aunt Betty were taken out of school. Mom went to live with Grandpa Carl and Grandma Selma while Betty moved to Uncle Sieberts and Aunt Gerties. Lawrence and twins remained at home with help from Ethel Kennedy (Gingras). When Mom finished school she went home for awhile and Lawrence went out to work. Shortly after the twins went to Grandpa and Grandma Sholinders .

In 1942 at the age of 14 Mom went working at homes helping the larger families with all day to day chores. Her Dad took sick that spring  with TB so he went to Prince Albert Sanitorium where he was a patient for 2 1/2 years and remained as an orderly for 14 years. He was advised not to work in the dust with only one lung but he kept the farm and Uncle Siebert farmed it from 1943 until 1966. In 1945 Grandpa Eddie had an auction sale to sell the livestock, household goods and the house. Kelly Shreenan bought the land as Uncle Siebert decided to quit farming. To Mom's family that was the end of their old home, farm and roots.

Mom decided she wanted to become a nurse so she headed to Saskatoon City Hospital in January 1944 to take her nursing aides course. At that time you could learn right at the hospital, hands on training and schooling all at once. It was there she met Ida Mork and they became great friends. When they passed and completed their nursing Ida asked Mom to come to Turtleford to nurse at the hospital that was 1945. There was a nursing residence to live in which made it a great move.  Her work was 12 hour days at $56.00 per month, they took off $16.00 a month for room and board thus leaving her with $40.00.  She spoke highly about her nursing days at Turtleford Hospital and all the fun they had with all the staff, cooks, caretakers and doctors. They appreciated having an income and attended their daily duties with pride, patience and perfection. This is where Mom and Dad first met with a romance that led to marriage on November 19th, 1947 at the St. Walburg Manse. Their wedding dance was in Turtleford on November 20th that year, only to be a double wedding dance as Jack and Vivian Marshall were married on November 8th, 1947.

Mom was so excited as she finally had a home again as Dad had a quarter of land one and a half miles north of highway 3 that had a small 3 room house and a barn. They had bare minimum with wood cook stove, coal oil lamps, outdoor toilet, bedroom suite, chesterfield with a chair and water from the river nearby or melted snow. She was creative making apple boxes into cupboards, painted walls and made curtains. Her stove was multi-functional for cooking, heating the home, baking and warming water. She was settled, secure and safe. Mom's past working experiences kicked in and she was very much a homemaker. Dad and Mom were young and in love with a future filled with promise.

On February 28th, 1949 their first daughter Patricia Lorraine was born premature weighing in at 4 lbs. 9 ounces. Mom said she could fit in a shoe box. They came home by team and sleigh to begin their new family with this wee addition. November 28th, 1953 I was born at 6 lbs. 2 ounces making a family complete.

Power came in 1955 and Mom said she thought she had it made. They could plug the vehicle in for winter so it would start, light bulbs instead of lanterns, fridge and deep freeze instead of ice box. 1962 Dad bought another quarter of land and it is across from the Hanson homestead where they built their new home.

Mom was a little bit of a perfectionist. Her morning ritual was to get up to make coffee, get makeup on for the day, do her hair that was styled weekly, by that time coffee would be ready, have her toast and light up that cigarette. Her bed was made right after breakfast, we were given breakfast then sent off to school. Dad had his coffee and toast with her then she did dishes and her day was off and running.

Mom was an awesome gardener with the straightest rows seen from the highway. The yard was beautifully cut, trees were pruned and flowers decorated the perimeters of the house. She would have Pat and I trim around the flower border with scissors. Yes scissors and it sure was nice she said when whipper snipers were invented. Mom always picked her raspberries, wild berries and bought cherries, peaches, pears and plums for canning. Monday was wash day with clothes hanging on the line and a day of ironing. I think she ironed every article she wore or that we used. Her home was always shining and presentable just in case someone dropped by for coffee. Spring and fall were wall and window washing along with going through summer and winter clothes. What fits or what doesn't fit and what did we girls need for the seasons. Pat and I had a great home filled with love. We had what we needed not always what we wanted. Both Mom and Dad instilled that we never get want and need mixed pup. Always help your friends and neighbours because you never know when you might need the same favor back.

Mom loved playing cards, bowling with the Livelong ladies, golfing in Mervin, curling in many rinks, playing bingo and holidays to see family in USA, Ontario, BC, Alberta, and of course trips to Maidstone. They enjoyed going to Reno with their friends Len and Ev. I am sure it was a blast according to her stories. I am so thankful I had the pleasure of taking Mom and Dad to Minnesota and British Columbia before Dad took sick. We had lots of laughs especially with them as my travel agent.  She loved being a part of the community. She devoted many volunteer hours to our Ladies Tadra, Curling Club and Legion. She was very fortunate to bonspiel a lot  and one time coming home from Maidstone with Marilyn Roney, Dorothy Textor and Lynn Nordell Marilyn's car lights went out just after going off the bridge. Marilyn said don't worry Elsie they'll come back on. I think after that she always wanted to drive. Mom would get the girls to go into the bathroom and have a snort of lime vodka but I don't think that improved their game. I do remember her never ending draw games with so many rocks in play. But she could always seem to draw to that button. Mom loved the farm life and all that went with it. At this time I would like to thank the Lawrence family for being stewards of our land for our family, as Dad would say.

Brandy, Tammy and Marty will always remember her faithfully watching their hockey games, coming to volleyball that she said she could never understand. Their graduations from high school or secondary school were definitely a highlight for Mom. She was very proud of their accomplishments and was delighted to be a part of their lives. The passing of her daughter Pat and her grandaughter Brandy was a heartbreaker that was devastating to our family. Like Dad said your family is like a chain link fence and every time a family member passes your family just gets a little closer. Today Dad it is a little tighter but I am so glad you are waiting there for her along with Pat and Brandy.

You graciously welcomed Louis into the family although sometimes you hit rough waters but always over came those moments. You enjoyed the increased members of the family after Tammy's and Marty's weddings. Mandy and Lyndon you were special to her also. She loved to give something special to all of us on our birthdays and Christmas and for that we thank you so much.

After Dad's passing in 2012 Mom seemed lost and broken. She so depended on him for many things especially getting that car filled with gas and heading out to hit the road. In 2010 Mom had a slight heart attack and decided to move into the lodge behind my house. It was so nice for both of us to be that close and do things together. Later she had some falls that weakened her entirety and she was struggling with day to day living. She said she didn't want to live by herself anymore so after her broken femur surgery she remained in hospital until February 24th, 2015 then moved into the nursing home willingly. Mom that was a great transition for both of us. The grandkids were always a pleasure to see at the home because her eyes lite up and a big smile came across her face. She loved it when they pushed her in the wheel chair and held her hand. Jori, Aiden, Colson, Aimsley and Danica you all now have a special guardian angel in heaven.

Mom always felt she had to lead the way for her siblings she learned a lot in her first 7 years of life watching her mother's nurturing ways, putting food on the table the best way she knew how and always remembering the love given from her Mother, Father, Grandparents and Uncles and Aunts. She always made sure her siblings were doing well and encouraged them to be kind, honest, gentle, hard working and caring. She would always say - remember your roots. Mom helped Dad on the farm as much as she could along with working at the hospital and raising Pat and I. Mom I think you were also a Life Skills Coach in today's world but never knew it. Your never ending giving of your time to The Hanson Family goes without notice. You took care of Oscar, Lily, Howie, Margaret and the girls. The Sholinder family thanks you for your endless love to Lawrence, Betty, Fay and Fran. Your nursing quality was given to your Dad during his illness. Your chosen parents Uncle Siebert and Aunt Gertie picked up all the pieces of a struggling family and wrapped their arms around them with love and tenderness. When they needed reciprocating love you were there every step of the way. You gave unconditionally all the time. I will never forget that! You always welcomed your siblings at the farm and enjoyed their many visits. I remember you would hug them and cry when they came and the same when they left. Those were happy tears and loving tears. I find myself doing the same.

Thank you Mom for being strong at times but your guidance over the hills and through the valleys will help me along my journey now.You were my Life Skills Coach and I hope I never disappoint you as a Mother, Grandmother, relative, friend or neighbor. You and Dad to me were very special and caring. I love you very much but I will be alright.
Rest in peace, until we meet again.

Special thank you to nurses who held our hands around Moms bedside on Wednesday you were wonderful. Darcy thanks for reading that story to her it had great meaning and she so enjoyed all the activities you do at the home. Lisa a hug for your last prayer for Mom, your professionalism is tops. Dr. Odiegiewu you are so compassionate yet diplomatic and I thank you for the special care you gave Mom. All staff at the nursing home and hospital you were wonderful through all of my demands. Hope I wasn't too rough on any of you. You are to be commended for a job well done. Thanks to everyone that came today to celebrate Moms life. To everyone in the community that brought food, cards, flowers or called we thank you. Thank you Don, Katherine for your warm hugs and help today. McCaws, namely Brett your compassion and help I appreciated so much. Thanks to Church Ladies for preparing our lunch today.  Thanks pallbearers for caring Mom to her final resting place.