Obituary of Melvina "Mel" Elder

Melvina Matilda Elder of Coronach, SK passed away peacefully at the Coronach Health Centre on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at the age of 84. Mel was born on September 18, 1932, in the Buffalo Gap district, to William and Adelheide (nee Marks) Wagner. The family moved to a farm in the Coronach district in the early 1940's. A hard worker and devoted to her family, Mel quit school in grade 8 to help on the farm. She also worked as a hired hand, earning 50 cents a day. Mel married the love of her life, Kenneth Elder, on her 18th birthday. They soon began their family, and had six children, Carl, Floyd, Ron, Lloyd, Wendy, and Lois. Mel was thankful to have all six children reside in Coronach, and was truly blessed with 15 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren, all who loved their Grandma Mel dearly. She was happiest when with family and friends, and found great pleasure in seeing and hearing about her children and grandchildren. Mel enjoyed tending to her flowers and garden, going for her annual combine ride, checking crops, getting together for Sunday brunch, and baking everyone's favourite treats. She was an amazing baker and cook, and everything she prepared was made with love. Mel was well known for her enormous garden and beautifully manicured yard at the farm. When she moved to town, Mel continued to plant a big garden and took great pride in her fall harvest and supplying her family with fresh produce. Mel was not afraid of hard work; she never liked to ask for help, but was always ready to lend a hand to anyone who may need it. Her favourite time of year was Christmas; she loved the decorating, baking, and holiday gatherings. Mel made the most of every day, and was always happy for the opportunity to go somewhere. She enjoyed trips to the city, going to the farm, the annual bull sale, planned her days around coffee at the Mini Mart, and was careful to not schedule anything on the day of her casino bus trip. Mel moved to the Coronach Health Centre in October 2016, where she enjoyed the company of the staff and residents. When it was too cold to venture out for coffee, Mel passed the time by playing bingo, doing word searches, playing cards, and scrolling Facebook to see what was new. She loved getting visitors, talking on the phone, FaceTiming, and that her iPad helped her to stay in touch with family. Mel was a true gem and was loved and adored by all who knew her. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, and will be dearly missed. Mel is survived by her loving family, son Carl (Brenda) Elder; son Floyd (Colleen) Elder; son Ron (Donna) Elder; son Lloyd (Bonnie) Elder; daughter Wendy (John) Terry; daughter Lois Flemming; granddaughter Carla (Tyler) Danielson, great granddaughters Natalie, Holly and Leah; granddaughter Corry Elder, great grandsons Dylan, Parker and Brodie; grandson Garry (Raeann) Murdoch, great granddaughters Shelby and Kayley (Graham); granddaughter Angie (Dan) Murdoch; grandson Cam (Christa) Elder, great grandchildren Samantha (Mitch), Sydney (Kyle), Brady and Logan; grandson Lance (Shona) Elder, great granddaughters Avery, Kate, and Quinn; grandson Michael (Judy) Elder, great grandchildren Cassidi, Keanan and Klay; granddaughter Erin (John) Rutherford, great granddaughters Rosie and Phoebe; grandson Delton Elder; grandson Derek Walter, great grandchildren Carter and Carys; granddaughter Amberly (Nathan) Kabrud, great grandsons Braxon and Madex; grandson Jason (Serrina) Terry, great grandchildren Brady and Landyn; grandson Kenneth (Tanya) Terry, great grandchildren Joseph, Evan and Gracie; granddaughter Tasha (Jeremy) Pituley, great granddaughters Alexia, Skyleigh, Hadlea, and Delancey; grandson Zach (Josie) Flemming, great granddaughter Zeyah; sisters Teenie Schultz, Sue (Herb) Stoll, Clara (Len) Stoll, Ella (Art) Lee, Gert (Wayne) King; brothers-in-law Barry Burrill, Lorne (Darlene) Elder; sisters-in-law Joan Wagner, Muriel Hillier; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Predeceased by her husband Kenneth Elder (2001); parents William and Adelheide (nee Marks) Wagner; siblings Reinhard (Chris) Wagner, Alice Burrill, Billy Wagner; father and mother-in-law Alex and Mildred Elder; brothers-in-law Bud Schultz, Raymond Elder, Clifford Hillier. Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., at the Coronach United Church, Coronach, SK, with Reverend Marilyn Leuty officiant. Mel's story was shared by Carla Danielson and eulogy by Samantha Elder and Sydney Elder. Active pallbearers were Lance Elder, Michael Elder, Derek Walter, Zach Flemming, Delton Elder, and Nathan Kabrud. Interment took place at the Coronach Cemetery. Memorial tributes in memory of Mel to the Coronach Health Centre Activity Department, Box 150, Coronach, SK S0H 0Z0, were greatly appreciated.