Obituary of Elsie Carol Atema
Elsie Carol Atema
(June 20, 1947 - February 3, 2024)
Elsie Carol Atema of Camrose, Alberta passed away on February 3, 2024, at the age of 76 years.
Elsie was the fifth child born to Harold and Agnes Ovelson of Kingman, Alberta. She grew up in the Kingman area, going to school in Kingman, Round Hill, and Camrose.
Elsie married William (Bill) Atema on May 20, 1967, in Camrose. Bill and Elsie were busy the next few years – building a new house in Camrose and welcoming their first two children – Troy in 1968 and James (Jim) in 1969. It soon became apparent that raising boys in town would be a big challenge, so they decided to make a change. After their next child, Sara was born in 1972, the family moved into their new house beside the lake on the farm in 1973. Elsie was a busy farm wife – growing a big garden, planting thousands of flowers and mowing acres of grass. A little surprise came along in 1980 with the arrival of their fourth child, April. Elsie spent the summers having her children run in and out of the house, dragging in sand and grass, changing their clothes five times a day. She was a hard-worker and loved her large, extended family.
Elsie also managed the books for Atema Construction and the farming operation for many decades using her extensive knowledge in bookkeeping and her beautiful, flowing handwriting.
Elsie had a strong faith in her heavenly Father, Jehovah God and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 30, 1960. It was her confidence in her Creator that helped to sustain her during her illness.
Elsie is lovingly remembered by her husband Bill; her four children Troy (Laneise), Jim (Tania), Sara (Gordon) Cronk and April (Wade) Worthing; her eleven grandchildren Leighton (Ethan), Kessler, Max (Danielle), Hunter, Jet, Sam, Zachary, Katlyn, Owen, Cooper and Daisy; one great-grandchild Rhett; and her siblings Richard (Marlene), Ronald (Valerie), Alvin (Elaine), Evelyne (Gary) Greene, George (Gail), Jerry (Winnie) and Jane (Jim) Capt.
Elsie was predeceased by her parents Harold and Agnes Ovelson; and her sister Marion Skinner.
A Funeral service was held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 15, 2024 from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 5201 46 St Camrose.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Elsie's memory may be made to JW.org or to the Cross Cancer Institute.
