Obituary of Evelyn Nelson

Evelyn Viola Nelson of Camrose, Alberta, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2017 at the age of 88 years. Evelyn was born in Tofield to Albert and Myrtle Sutton and was raised on the Sutton family farm. She attended Bardo School. Evelyn met Leroy Nelson, the love of her life, at a dance and they were married in 1946. They were blessed with their two children Dianne and Brian. Evelyn worked side by side with Leroy on the farm. She also worked off the farm at Meraw's Store, Brager's Transit Mix, and Stoney Creek Lodge. Evelyn really stepped into her own when she became the Director of Camrose and District Support Services. She worked passionately in this position and helped establish, and worked with, the Camrose Women's Shelter, the Food Bank, Mothers' Day Out programs, preschools and Family Life Education programs. Evelyn and Leroy helped establish Family Camp for families who weren't able to afford a holiday together. She later worked for the Provincial Government coordinating services for Zone 4. Many of the smaller rural communities found Evelyn to be a great ally and promoter of their needs to the Provincial Government. Evelyn continued in this position until her retirement in 1991. Evelyn was a community organizer, 4-H and Hi C youth group leader, church leader, avid gardener, world traveler, free spirit, generous friend and neighbour. Evelyn was a devoted wife, the best mother, and an inspiration to her grandchildren. She was a healer with a Level 2 certificate in the art of Reiki healing. She loved music, dancing and drumming. Evelyn enjoyed camping and loved to paint. She was proud to have a painting included in a national calendar of senior art for 2017. She was a fierce feminist who championed the rights of women and particularly those who were often ignored or put down by the larger society. She demonstrated the power of believing in yourself, the value of knowing yourself, and showed that women could achieve great things by coming together and assisting each other. She was a proud supporter of the arts and was an early supporter of the Bailey Theatre. Evelyn loved children and helped raise and support many youth, both family and friends. She was a strong financial supporter of the Camrose Boys and Girls Club. In her later years Evelyn struggled with dementia, which in her case manifested itself in a loss of speech. She found this extremely frustrating as she had spent so much of her life connecting with other people. She passed away peacefully after spending her last morning on earth helping other residents in wheel chairs get around and her last afternoon laughing and enjoying floor curling. She will be deeply missed. Left to cherish her memory are son Brian (Colleen) of Ohaton; daughter Dianne (Hans) Rommel of Nonnenhorn, Germany; grandchildren Sylvia Jakob (Rainer Krauss) of Nonnenhorn, Germany, Marina (Adam) Wightman of North Vancouver, B.C., Penny Nelson (Nicole Uzans) of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia and Sean Nelson of Ohaton; great-grandchildren Jaron Jakob, Amy Jakob, Sam Wightman and Kaiden Wightman; sisters Eunice (Ed) Parent of Camrose, and Wanda Craigen of Lamont; brother Randy (Sharon) Sutton of Tofield; and many nieces and nephews. Evelyn was predeceased by husband Allan "Leroy"; brothers Doug and Larry Sutton. A Funeral Service was held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, February 23, 2017, from Camrose United Church with Rev. Liz Carter-Morgan officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to Bailey Theatre Camrose or to the Camrose and District Boys and Girls Club.