Elsie’s Obituary
Long-time resident of Peace River, Elspeth (Elsie) Parenteau passed away peacefully, at the Sutherland Nursing Home in Peace River, on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the age of 94 years.
Elspeth (Elsie) Smith, 2nd daughter of William (Bill) and Mary (Polly) Smith, was born July 23, 1924 at the Irene Cottage Hospital in Peace River. She was raised on their homestead a mile north of Grimshaw. In 1928 the farm had a bumper crop so Polly took the girls (then 3 of them) to England. Bill joined them the next year and they ended up staying 2 ½ years. By the time they returned to Canada the girls were in school and either walked or rode horseback to the Wilcox School 3 ½ miles from their home. Elsie and her sisters had a great life picnicking, swimming, picking berries, going to dances and attending Bear Lake Sports Days. When Elsie was nine she took sick in February and the roads were blocked with snow. The next morning Dr. Matas from Berwyn was brought out to the farm in a “Snow Plane” were she was taken from there to Grimshaw and then to Peace River by horse and cutter. Elsie was operated on for a ruptured appendix and spent two and a half months in hospital. When she returned all the dolls were operated on for appendicitis. Before Elsie graduated her father sent her to work in the general store in Grimshaw where she probably learned many skills. In early 1943 she moved to Peace River and worked in Campsall’s store. She then moved to North Star to work in the Co-op store there. She also worked for Pete and Cecile Lissoway in their clothing store in Manning. She met Ralph Ressler and they were married in 1946. They farmed there until Ralph passed away in 1976. They never had any children. While in North Star she was an avid member of the Royal Purple and later joined the chapter in Peace River.
Elsie and Ambrose started dating and their good friend Herb Simpson recalls that they carried on like a couple of teenagers. They were married on October 28, 1978 and that day Elsie said she became a Mother, Mother-In-Law and Grandmother all in one day.
Ambrose and Elsie made a great team and they worked hard to build themselves a great life on their acreage 1 mile west of Webberville Road and 1 mile north. In the summer when Ambrose was hauling gravel, she would accompany him in the motorhome. She loved to cook, bake, garden, sew, embroider, play cards and games and she loved to dance. They enjoyed the rodeo circuit and many trail rides over the years and travelled to many destinations. Elsie also loved clothes and jewelry and shopping and she always looked her very best.
Elsie was pre-deceased by her first husband Ralph, and all 3 of her sisters, Winnie, Margaret and Sheila.
She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years Ambrose Parenteau and her step-children Derwin Parenteau, Daryl (Chris) Parenteau, Calvin (Bev) Parenteau, Wendy Patton, Heather (Leonard) Scott, Lawrence Parenteau, Linda (Glen) Paul, Corrine Card, Trevor (Cindy) Parenteau. She was blessed with 22 Grandchildren and 27 Great Grandchildren.
Elsie’s funeral will be held on Friday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Peace River. Interment to follow at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Peace River. A lunch and time of fellowship will follow the interment in the church basement.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to AHS, Peace River Recreation c/o Sue Aubin, Bag 400, 10101 – 68 Street, Peace River, AB T8S 1Z7, as expressions of sympathy.
Elsie’s family would like to thank Dr. Welch and the staff at the Sutherland Nursing Home for their special care, friendship and attention that Elsie received for the past 3 years.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elsie Parenteau July 23 1924 May 3 2019..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Peace River, Province: Alberta