Elsie Joyce Rud passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the age of 84. Elsie was born to Myrtle Pederson on March 12, 1932 on the John Pederson family farm near Fosston, Saskatchewan. She was the oldest of eight siblings. Elsie attended Westport School. Elsie met Melvin Rud when she worked as a cook for John Nygren and Melvin was the hired man. The fall of 1951 they decided to head west and married on January 5, 1952 in Prince George, B.C. They have 7 children. They lived throughout BC where they worked in the logging industry until moving to Brightsand Lake, Saskatchewan in 1973 to farm. After retiring they travelled between the Okanagan and Saskatchewan before settling in North Battleford in 2010. Elsie was a hardworking, intelligent woman with a keen sense of wit right up until her passing. Elsie enjoyed the outdoors and nature whether it was tending to the farm animals, working in the garden, camping, fishing, hiking or cross country skiing. She was a fabulous cook and loved entertaining family and friends. She loved listening and dancing to old time country music usually singing along. She was a loving Mother and Grandmother who adored her family. She was passionate about reading and learning new things especially current events, politics, cooking, gardening, western pioneer stories, business ventures and healthy living. Her favourite place was Brightsand Lake where she enjoyed spending time down at the beach with her family around the campfire. She was predeceased by her parents; brother Allan; and sisters, Doris, Della and Mable and her grandson Jody. Elsie is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Melvin, seven children Wayne (Debbie), Larry (Shirley), Debbie, Judy, Jackie, Sherry (Doren Nyholt), Michael (Lynn) and 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, siblings, Gladys (Stan) Svoboda, Dorothy Larson, Gilbert (Hazel) Anderson; in-laws, Skip Brewster, Ray Larson, Rosella Anderson, Leonard (Lynn) Rud plus numerous nephews and nieces, cousins and friends. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Villa Pascal Home, 1301 113 St. North Battleford SK S9A 3K1, care of the Social Fund.
