Obituary of Elsie Kaser

Elsie Martha Kaser of Camrose, Alberta passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at the age of 100 years. Elsie was born February 21, 1915, the eldest daughter of Alfons and Elsa Weiss, who settled into rough pioneer life in the "wilds" of Wildwood, Alberta after immigrating from Germany, a few years earlier. Here Elsie and her sister Louise spent the early years of their lives enduring hardships and adventures like goose egg sized hail falling through the sod roof of their one room cabin. Of course we might also imagine Elsie thinking this was a great game! Elsie began her schooling in Wildwood, which she excelled at, becoming a life-long learner with an abiding curiosity about everything. After a series of moves with her family that ended in the East Bittern Lake District, Elsie began Normal School to pursue a career in teaching. In 1935 she interrupted her studies to marry John Kaser, a fellow East Bittern Laker. Their first home was the original Bittern Lake Post Office and Store where they began a family before moving to the "home place" where they lived for 43 years. Elsie's life became one of care, care for the children especially Doreen who early in life required special attention continuing until her death at 21 years of age. Elsie's busy life included involvement in the community through Helping Hand, Ladies Aid and the Bittern Lake Historical Society. Her interest in history encompassed her immediate and extended family, with many albums of photos and newspaper clippings telling the story over the years. In later life there were a multitude of albums chronicling life at Deer Meadows. Flowers and plants, dried and fresh, overflow Elsie's home in Deer Meadows into common hallways, on dining room tables, and any available corner. Her later life was filled with more beauty and opportunity to share through travel, first with John and after he passed in 2002, on her own. For her 100th birthday, she travelled to Sedona, Arizona with her three children and son in law to celebrate. "I never dreamed I would have you all to myself for 10 days!" Elsie will be lovingly remembered by her son Eugene (Betty), daughters Betty and Bonnie (Bruce) Morris; four grandchildren, Dominique, Fern, Karl and Aaron; ten great grandchildren, Bradley, Brandon, Miranda, Jessica, Nicole, Nolan, Jackson, Kinley, Maligne and Lochlann. She will be fondly remembered by all her extended family and friends, as a matriarch of outstanding love and generosity. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, at 2 pm from Grace Lutheran Church in Camrose. Inurnment has taken place in the Camrose Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Battle River Community Foundation in memory of Elsie Kaser, Box 1122, Camrose, AB, T4V 4E7.