The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Charlie Elder Charlie, as we all knew him, was born in Carragana, SK on May 30, 1938. Soon after his birth, his family moved to their homestead in New Bliss where he spent a few years growing up. Charlie received his education at the Clemenceau School where, in his younger days, Charlie and some friends would walk four miles to go swimming in the Etomami River. Sadly, on Sunday, October 15, 2006, Charlie passed away at the Hudson Bay Health Care Facility with his daughter Doris Cook and his brother-in-law Beverly Hall at his side. Charlie was a kind hearted person, well known to many as a caring, giving, gentle person. Whenever, wherever, and if anyone ever needed help, Charlie was there. Card games, such as cribbage and solitaire were some of his favourite pastimes. Charlie was also an avid outdoors man. He could often be seen fishing at Clearwater Lake pump house for lake trout. Often after work, he would drive to either The Pas or Flin Flon for bingo. Like clockwork, Charlie would pour the morning coffee, light up a smoke, and listen to his favourite old time music. Things that made Charlie smile were spending time with his children and grandchildren and playing tricks on family and friends. During his life, Charlie worked at many different places as a logger, farmer, and working for the CNR in Manitoba where he met his wife Judy Brightnose of Pikwitonei, Manitoba. To this union, four children were born: Virginia, Doris, Allan, and Clifford all of the Bayline. While the children grew up, Charlie spent the good part of his days working at Pioneer Bay for Spruce Products Limited until his retirement. Charlie was predeceased by his parents Emerson and Frances (nee Nice), his brothers Clifford, and George, his sisters: Mary Jane, Doris, Stella, and Edith; and his granddaughter Alexis Douglas. He is survived by his wife Judy Elder, his children: Virginia (Kelly) Gamblin, Doris (Jeremy) Cook, Allan (Coralee) Elder, and Clifford Elder; his 11 grandchildren, his brothers Jim Elder, Lenny (Joyce) Elder, his sisters Elsie (Ernie) Beliveau ans Alma (Alf) Dahl, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. A wake service was held on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Erwood Community Centre. The funeral service was held on Friday, October 20, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Erwood Community Centre the Con Espenant officiating. Interment of the urn will take place at a later date. Active pallbearers were: Bev Hall, Lenny Elder, Allan Elder, Jeremy Cook, Clifford Elder, Kelly Gamblin, Tom Hall, and Vincent Brightnose. Honourary pallbearers were all of Charlie's Grandchildren: April Cook, Aaron Cook, Christian Cook, Marcus Cook, Jordan Kellyann, Nathan Gamblin, Jessica Kuba-Elder, Dominick Kuba-Elder, Janelle Douglas, Jared Elder, Clifford Jr. Elder, Darian Brightnose, Vance Brightnose, and Chase Brightnose. Mary Bober, at the keyboard, led the congregation in a selection of favourite hymns. Following the service, lunch was served in the community centre by the Erwood community club. Donations in memory of Charlie may be directed to the Saskatchewan Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements for the late Charlie Elder were entrusted to Blair's Funeral Home Ltd. of Hudson Bay, SK.
