Elsie Irene Nylander
April 26. 1931-March 9, 2012
Elsie passed away March 9, 2012 after a brief illness with respiratory complications. She was born on April 26, 1931 on a farm near Maymont, Saskatchewan. She was the second oldest of eight children (Norma Wiley, Lois Wiley, Mabel Dyck, Ron Bohn, Stella Roman, Margaret Walker, Verna Unger). Her parents, Stanley and Leta Bohn were exceptionally fine, hard working farmers, committed to their family and to surviving those early difficult years.
Elsie trained as a psychiatric nurse at Battleford, Saskatchewan but she was soon married to Olof Nylander in November, 1950 and together raised their five daughters: Doris (Gerry) Flinn, Evelyn Carruthers, Ruby (Stewart) Smeltzer, Karen ( Hogie) McCrae, and Norma Hansen (Jack Rhyno). They farmed near North Battleford until 1964 when they moved to Campbell River, BC.
Elsie was a very capable woman, a great mother and a role model as a do-it-yourself “little red hen”. Her determination for self and family improvement were inspirational to all the lives she touched. She was very proud of her nine grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren: Michele Nylander (Jaden), Stacey Flinn and Dan Pattison (Brittney, Griffen, Jacob), Suzanne and Paul Pattison (Eva), Conway Carruthers, Kaitlyn and Ashley Smeltzer, Kevin and Kari McCrae (Marcus and Kiera), Randy McCrae and Dane Hansen.
She enjoyed working 29 years in the finance department at the Campbell River hospital. Her involvement in the Hospital Employees Union developed the strong belief that unions helped to raise the standard of wages and benefits for everyone and believed in the process of collective bargaining.
She was a great source of strength to her family and when she was asked “How will we go on without you?” she said “You’ll do just fine”. No doubt we will, but she’ll be sadly missed.
Her memorial service will be held at the Elk Falls Cremation and Reception Centre Chapel, Highway #28 at Elk Falls Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, April 7th at 1 pm. Donations may be made to the Campbell River Hospital Foundation or to a charity of your choice.
Island Funeral Services
Elk Falls Crematorium
250-2873366