Ella Sophie Black

On June 8, 2012, Ella Black Carlson (nee Ottesen) closed her eyes on Earth and opened them in Heaven. She went home to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, at the age of 101 years. Her funeral service was held Friday, June 15, 2012 at 2:00pm in Knox United Church, Bengough, SK. Sylvia Fitzgerald, DLM officiated. The beautiful words of remembrance were given by granddaughter, Kenda Matte. Musical selections “Amazing Grace” and “It is No Secret” were sung by granddaughter Candace Carlson; son-in-law, Sid Huntley, played the accordion selection, “The Old Rugged Cross,” which was Ella’s favourite hymn. Pallbearers were grandsons Martin and Roger Carlson, Glen Krusky, and Gord, Dale, and Doug Johnson. Honourary pallbearers were all of Ella’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Donations in memory of Ella are gratefully accepted for the Bengough Health Centre Ladies’ Auxiliary. Interment took place in the Bengough Cemetery. Fellowship and lunch followed in the Knox United Church Hall. Arrangements were entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK.

Ella married Ernest Waldemar Carlson after he moved to Canada from Sweden. Together they had six children: Wesley, Esther, Elsie, Grace, Doris, and Richard. They farmed and raised their children south west of Bengough. Ella milked cows, raised cattle, and chickens, and always had a large garden. Ernest and Ella moved to town in 1967 because of Ernie’s battle with emphysema, which he lost in 1975. After moving to town, Ella worked at the Twilight Centennial Home for ten years. This career didn’t begin until Ella was in her late fifties. Ella married a second time in 1978. Her marriage to Harold Black had a lifespan of four months, as Harold died of cancer.

Ella was an avid gardener; she could make anything grow. Her green thumb knew no bounds. She also loved to quilt and made many many quilts for her children and grandchildren.

Ella never learned to drive a car, so once they lived to town, she walked everywhere, which was probably her secret to a long, fit, and healthy life. She did, however, experience a stroke on August 24, 1998. This stroke temporarily slowed her down, but she overcame, as was her way, and lived in her own house until she was 98 years old, thanks to the help of home care.

Ella was very proud of the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She loved them all so much and wanted to be involved in all of their lives. She was known, though, for calling a spade a spade, which was sometimes hard for people to hear. Many people saw Ella as difficult and hard to get along with, but she was actually a very meticulous, hard working, dedicated, protective, modest, strong and, later in life, a very sentimental woman. That’s how we will all remember her.

Ella was predeceased by her first husband, Ernest Carlson; second husband, Harold Black; son, Wesley Carlson; son-in-law, Jack Johnson; and great-grandsons Craig Krusky and Derek Knudson. She leaves to mourn: her children, daughter- in-law, Shirley Carlson, Bengough, SK.; daughter, Esther Johnson (Sid Huntley), Moose Jaw, SK.; daughter, Elsie Pana, Bengough, SK.; daughter, Grace (John) Krusky, Coronach, SK.; daughter, Doris (Keith) Hicks, Bengough, SK.; son, Richard (Marcia) Carlson, Bengough, SK.; 17 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

God bless you, Mom. We love you and we’ll miss you. Rest in peace until we meet again.