Elvie Garnett

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Clara Elvira (Elvie) Garnett on June 15, 2023, at the Russell Personal Care Home.  She will be missed by all who knew her as a sweet, gentle lady.

Elvie was born June 27, 1928, on the farm in Alpine Manitoba, the 5th daughter of Ernst and Karin (Palm) Peterson.  She attended school in the country school and boarded in Benito for Grade 12.  She then attended Normal School in Winnipeg and received her teaching certificate.  She taught in a one-room schoolhouse near home as well as in Durban MB.  After teaching in Dauphin, she decided she needed a change and applied for jobs in both Neepawa and Russell.  She was offered the job in Russell and accepted it.  While walking to school one blustery day, a handsome young man stopped to see if she would like a ride.  She accepted and a romance began!  On July 21, 1956, Burke and Elvie were wed in the Alpine Church. 

They were blessed with four children.  Joy, born January 25, 1958, Nola, born May 19, 1959, Liane, born June 3, 1962 and Jeff, born April 2, 1965.

Elvie did not return to teaching after marriage and focused her life on tending to her home, husband and children of which she enjoyed thoroughly and did a fantastic job. She spent many hours in her garden and tending to her flowers.  Elvie was an avid member of the Rebekahs for many years.  She also loved to play bridge.  She belonged to two bridge groups and played well into her eighties.  Many bridge partners/opponents said what a beautiful bridge player she was.  She was very modest about this and would often say she did not win much!  The Garnett family spent many wonderful summers at the family cabin at Madge Lake.  Many happy memories were made here with the Peterson clan.  We began the tradition of fishing as a family at Madge and Burke and Elvie continued to enjoy fishing at Lake of the Prairies as empty nesters.  Burke and Elvie belonged to the local square-dancing club and spent many years dancing and travelling with the club.  Later, when Burke was able to take more time off, they vacationed in the winter in Mesa, Arizona with Burke’s brother Earle and his wife Iva. Here they spent a great time playing bridge and seeing the sights.  After Burke’s passing she travelled to visit family and in later years enjoyed the company of family and friends in her home community. Elvie loved to take in every activity she could to watch her grandchildren in their various interests.  As her family grew so did her love.  Visits and virtual visits from her great grandchildren brightened up her days.

Elvie was predeceased by her husband Burke, parents Ernst & Karin, in-laws Frederick & Mary, son-in-law Ben Pauls, sisters and brothers-in-law Eva and Garnet Edmunds, Bessie and Harry Sandborn, Annie Peterson, Helga and Ture Josephson, Elsie Peterson, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harold & Emma Garnett, Earle and Iva Garnett, Margaret and Ian Brown.

Elvie leaves to mourn her passing, her daughters Joy Pauls; Nola and her husband Dennis Collingwood; Liane and her husband Luc Huberdeau; her son Jeff and his wife Tammy Garnett;  grandchildren and great grandchildren Chantal and her husband Brennon Getz, Liam and Parker; Anthony Pauls; Nicole and her husband Trevor Martin, Andrea, Karis, Joel and Cypress; Hillary Garnett and her fiancé Michael Gniewek, Thomas and Vivian; Stephanie and her husband Landen Mohr, Rose; Kallie Garnett; Eric and his wife Celena Pauls; Adam and his wife Kasen Garnett; Anna Garnett; her sister Edith Peterson and many special nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Mom, Grandma, Grandma-Great, you lived a long and happy life. Rest in peace now with Dad.