Obituary for Evy Nelson (Naslund)
Evy Nelson
July 25th, 1925 - December 5th, 2019
Gertrude Evy Nelson, was the first born child to Ossian and Gerda Näslund in the small town of Rörstrom, Sweden, July 25, 1925. She immigrated with her parents and maternal grandparents to their Canadian homestead at Snowden, Saskatchewan as she entered her 4th year. Later, she was joined by a brother, Fred, who died in infancy and sister, Aina, whom she always referred to affectionately as her “kid sister” and loved without reservation.
Evy spent many happy days as a child on the farm, but as was the custom, went to work and left home to find her own path. Over the course of her life she was a riveter in the war effort, merchandiser, business owner, buyer and display artist in high fashion, fabric store operator, grain-buyer’s wife, town councilor, and, finally, a “very cool grandmother” (the latter of which we feel was her most defining and masterful role). So much more than a grandma, Evy coparented her granddaughter, Maegan, for many years and more recently fell madly in love with her great granddaughter Ruby - for whom her heart beat until its last moment.
Evy married late in life to a childhood sweetheart, Melvin Nelson who predeceased her in 1984. She was also predeceased by both parents and infant brother Fred, as well as her dear cousin Marg and many many others whom she loved profoundly. Evy was deeply family oriented, and always delighted in contact with relatives around the globe. She was particularly excited that we had found more relatives in Canada and the US (whom she never had time to meet). Her love knew no boundaries, and remains endless.
Evy’s final years were spent at Providence Care Center in Calgary where she made an entire building of new friends and inspired many with her sweet smile, determination and dignity. She was truly in gods care, under an umbrella of grace.
Evy cherished and held true to her lineage: she remained fluent, immersing herself and her family in Swedish tradition and culture, while likewise treasuring her Canadian identity. She was a renaissance woman by any telling. A poet, philosopher, rebel, artist... and always a gentle loving soul, kind and genuine to all. An extraordinary mother, grandparent and friend; her demeanor never failed to uplift and spread her singular cheer and sweetness. It is with greatly heavy hearts and high celebrations that we release her to the heavens where she can be free again.
Evy is survived by her adored “kid sister” Aina Schemenauer, of Saskatchewan, and will be deeply and profoundly missed by her daughter Alex, granddaughter Maegan and great granddaughter Ruby; niece Sharon (Jack) and nephew Dennis; her niece Debbie (Bob) and their families, and all those whom she has touched with her light and playful heart.
Below is a poem Evy had written on the backs of two small pieces of paper and squirreled away. It speaks perfectly of who she was on every level. We share this with you as we celebrate her life and release her soul:
I want to have a silly heart when I grow old someday,
A heart that still does somersaults and runs outside to play
A heart that won’t forget to dream and won’t remember facts
And thinks of birthday candles as just sticks of wicks and wax. I want a heart that’s ‘been around’ and knows a thing or two,
but still can laugh~ I want a silly heart, don’t you?
From my heart to yours always ~
Evy
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Evy please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
July 25th, 1925 - December 5th, 2019
Gertrude Evy Nelson, was the first born child to Ossian and Gerda Näslund in the small town of Rörstrom, Sweden, July 25, 1925. She immigrated with her parents and maternal grandparents to their Canadian homestead at Snowden, Saskatchewan as she entered her 4th year. Later, she was joined by a brother, Fred, who died in infancy and sister, Aina, whom she always referred to affectionately as her “kid sister” and loved without reservation.
Evy spent many happy days as a child on the farm, but as was the custom, went to work and left home to find her own path. Over the course of her life she was a riveter in the war effort, merchandiser, business owner, buyer and display artist in high fashion, fabric store operator, grain-buyer’s wife, town councilor, and, finally, a “very cool grandmother” (the latter of which we feel was her most defining and masterful role). So much more than a grandma, Evy coparented her granddaughter, Maegan, for many years and more recently fell madly in love with her great granddaughter Ruby - for whom her heart beat until its last moment.
Evy married late in life to a childhood sweetheart, Melvin Nelson who predeceased her in 1984. She was also predeceased by both parents and infant brother Fred, as well as her dear cousin Marg and many many others whom she loved profoundly. Evy was deeply family oriented, and always delighted in contact with relatives around the globe. She was particularly excited that we had found more relatives in Canada and the US (whom she never had time to meet). Her love knew no boundaries, and remains endless.
Evy’s final years were spent at Providence Care Center in Calgary where she made an entire building of new friends and inspired many with her sweet smile, determination and dignity. She was truly in gods care, under an umbrella of grace.
Evy cherished and held true to her lineage: she remained fluent, immersing herself and her family in Swedish tradition and culture, while likewise treasuring her Canadian identity. She was a renaissance woman by any telling. A poet, philosopher, rebel, artist... and always a gentle loving soul, kind and genuine to all. An extraordinary mother, grandparent and friend; her demeanor never failed to uplift and spread her singular cheer and sweetness. It is with greatly heavy hearts and high celebrations that we release her to the heavens where she can be free again.
Evy is survived by her adored “kid sister” Aina Schemenauer, of Saskatchewan, and will be deeply and profoundly missed by her daughter Alex, granddaughter Maegan and great granddaughter Ruby; niece Sharon (Jack) and nephew Dennis; her niece Debbie (Bob) and their families, and all those whom she has touched with her light and playful heart.
Below is a poem Evy had written on the backs of two small pieces of paper and squirreled away. It speaks perfectly of who she was on every level. We share this with you as we celebrate her life and release her soul:
I want to have a silly heart when I grow old someday,
A heart that still does somersaults and runs outside to play
A heart that won’t forget to dream and won’t remember facts
And thinks of birthday candles as just sticks of wicks and wax. I want a heart that’s ‘been around’ and knows a thing or two,
but still can laugh~ I want a silly heart, don’t you?
From my heart to yours always ~
Evy
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Evy please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.