Obituary of Frances Thiessen

Elaine is survived by: her loving husband Milt of Lloydminster; one son Troy and his wife Krista of Lloydminster; one daughter Kari of Edmonton; one grandson Keevan; her sister Sherryl & Bill Bear of Meadow Lake and her sister-in-law Audrey Love of Regina as well as numerous other relatives. Tribute Elaine was born in Vancouver, BC a true city woman that moved to Saskatoon, SK where she met Milt in Langham in 1976. Two years later they were married and her city image started to transform. In 1979 this union was blessed with a son Troy and in 1980 Milt, Elaine and Troy moved to Lloydminster where Milt went to work in the oil patch. In 1983 they were blessed again with a daughter Kari. Mom and Dad fell in love with each other more and more every day. Mom worked very hard at raising us and looking after the home and everything else while Dad was away a lot working. We were her main focus in life. Mom would make us the best chocolate chip cookies and muffins and her lasagna was one of a kind. Mom could cook anything. If we wanted a ride to school we had to leave 15 mins before we normally would if we had walked. Mom had an awesome sense of humor and loved to hear jokes and funny stories. She especially loved it if we laughed hysterically while trying to tell her. Mom would welcome anybody anytime into her comfortable home, and go out of her way to help someone else without ever thinking of herself. Mom was always so involved in our hobbies and extra curricular activities, so supportive. She loved to drive us to curling, baseball, and soccer games. Rain or shine mom would be there in the bleachers cheering and warming us up with hot chocolate and hugs. Wouldn’t have missed a thing. For whatever reason if we lost, in her eyes we always won. That is how we should feel today. We won because we are the lucky ones who had her. If our marks in school were down she would encourage us to do better, if they were up she would congratulate us and give us a kiss. Not a chance would she ever discourage us. We haven’t ever experienced such a positive attitude as our Mom’s. When we achieved our goals and succeeded at our ambitions she was the first smile we encountered. When she was proud of us, of course we were proud of her because if it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be us. All of us. Then the best part of my high school years I found Krista the love of my life. She is the circle around my sun. The one who helped me bring in that little ray of sunshine in Elaine’s world - Keevan. Wow talk about two peas in a pod. I think they tried to out do each other by seeing whose face could light up more once each other entered the room. But it was never a competition. Yeah, Kari finished high school too. Then took off to Edmonton. So now Mom had a perfect excuse to go stay in the city for the week and an even more perfect shopping partner. We would have so much fun picking out things for each other and Troyboy, Krista, Keevan and Daddy. She trained me well. WE were going to spend the week together - she was coming on Tuesday. I guess we’ll have to get together at the pearly gates. I’ll meet her there, she’ll have to let me in. There is a saying, that a grandma loves with all her heart and Keevan is no stranger to that. He always greeted grandma with a smile and kiss but what he got in return was a whole lot more. From the moment they were together their eyes would sparkle with the warmth and love that alluded Elaine. They were each other’s sunshine. You will dearly be missed as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. A letter to my Mother Today I had what I thought was the most devastating day of my life. But mom, I decided to look at it a different way. I look at it as ... I am the luckiest little girl in the world, because I have the bestest mom in the WORLD! You are the power and strength behind this beautiful family of ours. I have had the chance to learn from, look up to, love and learn to love and I thank you specifically for that. You are an amazing, loving, nurturing woman and every person who got the chance to meet you, got to know you and love you will miss you like crazy. And us, the ones who love you the most are going to miss you every second of every day. I can’t even begin to tell you everything you have taught me. You are my role model. I have always looked up to you. You are the woman I have always wanted and hoped to be. I am not sure if I am capable of that but I will make sure that I make you proud. I promise Love your Kari Jill Mom, Troy and me couldn’t have asked for a better mom! She was always there whenever we needed her. Always a listening ear and hugs when we wanted. She made sure we got off to school on time with full tummies, book in hand and when we were to little to walk by ourselves she walked with us. She would be involved and support us in anything that caught our attention. Just because she wasn’t on anyone’s payroll, doesn’t mean she didn’t work. She had the toughest job on the planet, she put up with us!! And to this day the sign on her fridge says “You can’t scare me I have children.” She was our best friend that we could confide in, laugh with, cry and whatever else that day brought! She was our instiller of rights and wrongs, our chef, chauffeur, housekeeper, gardener, best company ever and also our best friend, mother and mommy. We will miss you with all our hearts Troy Milton and Kari Jill A note to my best friend Honey this is without a doubt the saddest time of my life but honey I always said whatever happens to me is OK because I got to walk with an angel everyday. From the time I thought we should do a little ranching in our spare time and I bought a herd of cows and you said what did you do that for?? No one could believe that my little city woman would go out and help handle and chase cattle. And when we were sorting and one got by you and I said Why did you let that cow get by - you would stop and give me the Auntie Lanie look. And those of you that knew Elaine know what the Auntie Lanie look is (right Brett). When the weather dictated that we sell the cows and the last liner was leaving you sat with me on the tailgate and shed a tear, sad to see them go. Honey you always told me how proud you were of me because of our accomplishments but honey my proudest moments were when you were walking beside me. A few years ago Elaine said honey I bought you a sign and she stuck it on the fridge and it is still there today. The sign says “My Husband is the boss, and he has my permission to say so.” That sign pretty much sums up the mutual love and respect we had for each other. So if she could she would tell me to quit talking about her - those people are probably hungry and tired of sitting here - so go and feed them. Today I know heaven is a brighter place because of you. So honey I am not going to say good-bye because BEST FRIENDS stick together. So reach down and hug me, the kids and Keevan once in awhile and I will see you later. Love Milt THIESSEN: Frances “Elaine” Thiessen was born in Vancouver, BC on December 14, 1954. She passed away suddenly on October 16, 2006 and resided in Lloydminster, Alberta. Elaine is survived by: her loving husband Milt, of Lloydminster; one son, Troy and his wife Krista, of Lloydminster; one daughter Kari, of Edmonton; one grandson, Keevan; two sisters Sherryl and Bill Bear of Meadow Lake and Bonnie Love and one brother Barry Love; her parents-in-law, Mom (Mary) and Dad (Henry) Thiessen; as well as numerous other relatives. Elaine was predeceased by her Mom in 1980 and her Dad in 1998. The service for Elaine was conducted from the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, October 20, 2006 with Reverend Norm Laird officiating. A lunch followed at the Legacy Center. Pallbearers were: Kirk Kimberley, Brett Kimberley, Richelle Kimberley, Cody Lisoway, Abbey Winkler and Mike Ridsdale. Arrangements in care of McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. Card of Thanks The family of Elaine Thiessen would like to thank Reverend Norm for his kind words. To Charlotte and Darryl, Terry and Linda, Donna and Charlie: a special thanks for all your love, hugs and support during this sad time. We would also like to thank the pallbearers. Thank you to the Moose Lodge for providing the lunch, and thanks to everyone who sent food, flowers, and cards to our house. Also, thanks for the visits and phone calls during this time - it is greatly appreciated. Thanks to Trican Well Service for all the support we received. Thank you to McCaw’s for the compassion during this difficult time. Elaine, as a wife, mother, grandmother and best friend, will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts. Milt Kari Troy, Krista and Keevan Donations in memory of Elaine may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.