Obituary of Elsie Wood

B I O G R A P H Y WOOD: Elsie Josephine Wood passed away in the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Friday, October 5, 2007 at the age of 88 years. The funeral service for Elsie was conducted from the First Baptist Church, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Ta Tumu officiating. A eulogy was given by Merv Loewen. Special poems were read by Arynn Campbell (Guests) and Ian Spark (I Am Free). Special music was provided by Elayne Harris-Lorenz. The hymns sung were In The Garden, The Old Rugged Cross, and Does Jesus Care accompanied on the piano by Marlyss Crockett. Active pallbearers were: James Keichinger, Mark Keichinger, Luke Holdstock, Ryan Palik, Christopher Spark and Ian Spark. Honorary pallbearers were: Annie Beeching, Darryl Beeching, Faye Labonte, Edward Labonte, Jamie Holdstock, Heather Holdstock, Arynn Campbell, Darren Campbell, Megan Palik, Robyn Palik and Kirsta Keichinger. Interment followed in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. TRIBUTE TO ELSIE WOOD by Merv Loewen Elsie Wood, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully in the Lloydminster Hospital on October 5, 2007 at the age of 88 years. Elsie Josephine Voth, born May 27, 1919, was eldest of seven children born to Annie and Jacob Voth on a farm near Hepburn, Saskatchewan. In her early years she worked on a neighbor`s farm and had various jobs to help out her family. In 1941, she graduated from the 4th course offered at the new Hepburn Bible College. Elsie then went on to take her nurses training and in 1949 arrived in Lloydminster to begin her career as a nurse. In Lloydminster Elsie began attending First Baptist Church and while involved in the Young People`s Group she met a young, shy farmer. This farmer, Chris Wood, suffered a badly broken arm in a farm accident, and Elsie, who worked on the maternity ward at the time, would stop and visit him every day. Chris and Elsie were married on November 28, 1953 in Hepburn. They were blessed with four daughters; Valerie was born in 1954, Darla in 1956, Lola in 1957 and Brenda in 1959. Summer vacations were always a great time in her life. It was the one time of the year that Chris could get away from the farm. After raising the family, Chris and Elsie enjoyed traveling in their motor home. When the grandchildren were old enough, one of them would always be given an opportunity to travel on an adventure ride with their grandparents. Her trip to Hawaii with her sister, Elma, was another treasured highlight in her life. However, she could never convince Chris to travel back to Hawaii with her. Family and friends remember Elsie for the wonderful meals she prepared. When asked for a recipe, she would reply, `add a little bit of this and a little bit of that.` Her large country garden was always her pride and joy. Grandma`s pickled snow peas were a favourite with the grandchildren out at the farm and it was not uncommon for them to `sneak` into the preserve cellar downstairs to `borrow` some for a snack. While living on the farm, Elsie always kept busy sewing, quilting and knitting for her grandchildren and numerous other children. Elsie will also be remembered as one of the most reliable letter writers. When Darla and Lola were away at Bible College, they could always look forward to a letter early in the week, since she had mailed her letters after church on Sunday. These letters continued to Darla, who lives away from Lloydminster, until a few years ago. As her grandchildren moved away from Lloydminster they too were guaranteed a letter at least once a week. After her hands wore out, she engaged Lola and granddaughter Arynn to continue to do this letter writing on her behalf, as she felt it was important to keep in contact with her family and friends. Elsie enjoyed attending church and you could count on her arriving Sunday mornings. In later years you could still see the sense of anticipation as she arrived in her wheel chair. With health failing and her husband dealing with his health issues requiring surgery, Elsie became a resident of the Dr. Cooke Extended Care facility. Here she remained until her death four and a half years later. While confined to the Care Home, she eagerly awaited visits from her family. One of the high points of the week was the visit of her granddaughter, Arynn and Bella, her small Chihuahua dog. Elsie is survived by Chris, her loving husband of 53 years, four daughters: Val (Brian) Hoveland and her children: Annie (Darryl) Beeching, James (Krista), Mark, and Faye (Eddie) Labonte, great grandchildren: Madison Politeski, Ryder and Cyan Beeching; Darla (Nick) Holdstock and their children Luke, Jamie and Heather; Lola Palik and her children Arynn (Darren) Campbell, Ryan, Megan and Robyn; Brenda (Les) Spark, and their children Christopher and Ian; her sister Irene Kliewer, and her brothers Allan (Ann) Voth and Dave (Louise) Voth as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. Elsie will be missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. However, today she is eternally with her Lord and Savior and is at peace after many months of pain and decline. Card of Thanks The family of Elsie Wood would like to thank Dr. Crossley, Dr. Du Plooy and the staff at the Dr. Cooke Home for the care that she received over the past 4 ½ years. Thank you also to Dale McCaw (McCaw Funeral Service), Pastor Ta Tumu, Merv Loewen, Elayne Harris-Lorenz, Ruth Knispel, Marlyss Crockett and the ladies of First Baptist Church for assisting in making this a memorable day of celebration. Donations in memory of Elsie may be made to the Gideon Bibles or the Pleasantview Bible Camp.