ELLEFSON – Laura Victoria Ellefson was born Feb. 3, 1925 in her grandparents’ home, delivered by her grandmother, next to her parents’ farm north of Athabasca, AB. She passed away Sept. 26, 2021 in Brooks AB. Laura was the oldest of 6 children born to Nannie and Lawrence Devlin and left school before completing high school to help support her family during WW11. Laura met her future husband Roland (Slim) Ellefson when he and a cousin “crashed” a private dance she was attending. They eloped to Edmonton in May, 1945 to get married as she knew there was no money for a wedding. However, as she was not yet 21, she had to get parental permission, which involved calling a neighbor since her family did not have a phone. Despite these somewhat shaky beginnings, they developed a strong marriage based on their love for each other and an enduring faith in God. They wintered in Edmonton for several years while Slim obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering. Summers were spent at the Ellefson logging and lumber camp. Due to his father’s ill health, Slim took over the management of the business, expanding it and moving first to Smith, then Calling Lake. Laura was his right-hand woman both in the home and the business. As the nearest available doctors and hospital were 50 miles away over a sometimes nearly impassable road, Laura took a First Aid course to provide some preliminary emergency care to their employees in case of accidental injury. Had life circumstances been different, Laura would have made an excellent nurse. When Slim made a career change to teaching in 1967, Laura became his at home assistant in prep and marking, as well as the main operator on their farm in Driftpile, logging many hours on tractor, swather, baler and combine. Laura had many interests: playing softball (catcher), creating art in many forms, gardening, reading, bowling and, in her later years, garage sale-ing and singing in a Seniors’ Choir with her sister Anna. She taught Sunday school for many years and volunteered in other ways in the churches where she was a member. Laura and Slim retired to Duncan, BC in 1996 to be closer to her siblings. After his death in 1998, Laura remained in their condo, enjoying her activities with her siblings and her church family. In 2011, with her eyesight failing and her Island siblings passed on, Laura made the difficult decision to move to Brooks to be closer to her daughter. She spent 6 years in Newbrook Lodge, 3 years at Sunrise Gardens and 5 months at the hospital in LTC. The family is grateful to the staff of these facilities for the care and assistance she received. Laura was predeceased by her husband and all of her siblings. She is survived by: 2 daughters; Linda Asato (Clearwater FL) and Wendy (Gerry) Martin of the Duchess area; 6 grandchildren; Angela (Michael) FL, Robin (Cynthia)MO, Brendan (Teasha) Rosemary AB, Travis (Jen) Nelson BC, Tyler (Tracy) Calgary AB and Lindsay (Matthew) Edmonton AB; 15 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Laura will be greatly missed but we are comforted knowing she is pain-free and enjoying her reward in heaven. Service to be held in Athabasca where Laura will be laid to rest beside her beloved “Slim”. In memory of Laura, if friends desire, donations would be welcomed to one of Laura’s favorite charities: Operation Smile, 375 University Ave Suite 204, Toronto ON, M5G 2J5 . For further information or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
