STUMBORG: Elvira Elizabeth
May 30, 1930 - January 14, 2017
With a toast, some Hail Mary’s and a treasured family tune, loved ones sang Mom (Elvira Elizabeth Stumborg (nee Engele)) home on January 14, 2017. Mom passed away peacefully at Melfort Union Hospital after suffering the effects of a stroke. “De kleines madchen” (German for the little girl), Elvira was the youngest of 12 children born to Henry and Elizabeth Engele on May 30, 1930. A feisty child that proclaimed she cut off her bedposts rather than dust them, there were early signs she was going to be a strong and feisty woman. And Dad (Bernie) fell in love with that woman either when they danced the Blue Skirt Waltz or when she shot a gopher on their first date with her first shot (earning her the handle Eagle-Eye Engele). Mom and Dad wed on April 17, 1951 and thus it began! Their adventures took them down many roads: from road building, logging camps and white knuckle drives in BC to beginning their family farm just West of Naicam where they eventually settled and raised 10 kids. Like all roads, there were bumps along the way. But her quick wit and keen sense of humour, her strength and true grit but above all, her faith and devotion often maneuvered her and the family through. An avid and competitive ball player, Mom aptly could peg out a 2nd base steel from home plate. Also an established homemaker; knitting, crocheting, sewing, baking, preserving and canning were just among some of her many qualities. But it was her hospitality, home cooking and baking that were her crowning achievements. The door was always open and there was always more than enough to feed everyone. Countless harvest meals were always served up hot and tasty and her reward was full bellies and the odd kiss at the combine from Dad. A gift for the finer arts, she was a self-taught musician able to strike a cord on anything with a keyboard, an eloquent and comical poet and a beautiful songstress. Mom’s musical family was a source of great pride and if offered the opportunity, she’d play you a song or invite you to a performance. And when time would allow, you’d find her walking the half mile or braiding a rug. Curious if she’s set St. Peter up with the rug for the pearly gates just yet! Elvira leaves to mourn her children Ginny (Bob Olson), Rodney, Harry (Faye), Myra (Jim Gansner), Mark (Della), Noel (Noreen), Joan, Norma, Ryan and Trina (Robert Graf), 26 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, brother Roland (Mildred) Engele, brother-in-law Alvin (Agnes) Stumborg and sisters-in-law Evelyn Engele, Florence Pulvermacher, Julie Gibb, and Rose (Lloyd) Berry-MacDonald. Elvira was predeceased by her husband, Bernie, her parents, 10 siblings, son-in-law (Colin Rosin), 2 grandchildren (Brianne and Stephanie) and 1 great grandchild, Harris. A mass will be held on Friday, January 20 at 2:30 p.m., St. George’s Catholic Church, 401 Park Street N., Naicam, SK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Labyrinth of Peace (attn Catherine Roberts), c/o Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, 502 6th Ave NE, Moose Jaw, SK. S6H 6B8 or to the Naicam Spalding Growers Project, c/o the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (foodgrainsbank.ca)Those wishing to sign the guestbook or leave messages of sympathy or comfort may do so at www.narfasons.com. Floral Expressions of sympathy may be ordered by calling 306.874.2376 or 306.338.2251. Arrangements entrusted to Peter’s & Narfason’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Naicam, Sk.