NELSON: Eunice J. (Clink) 1926-2013. It is in celebration of life that we announce the death of Eunice Nelson of Battleford. She leaves to cherish her memory her seven children: Sandy (Jim) McGrath, Jim (Myrna) Nelson, Karl (Sandy) Nelson, Jo-Ann (Les) Ganzert, Doug (Susan) Nelson, Linda Nelson, and Terry Nelson; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; as well as her sister, Ceci (Allan) Chanin, sister in laws, Gwen Clink and Blanche Clink; brother in law, Carroll McCune, and numerous nieces and nephews. Eunice was predeceased by her husband, Walter Nelson; her parents, Gertrude and Walter Clink; her sister, Enid Clink; and her brothers, Bill and John Clink. Eunice was a proud grandmother to six grandchildren (Karey, David, Kimberly, Sean, Lee and Jessica) and a great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren (Lauren, Aurora, Brianna, Katana, and Kylie). Eunice Nelson was born on November 22, 1926. She was a descendent of the early settlers of Battleford, the Clink and Ridington families. Her Grandmother was one of the first teachers to teach at Battleford Central School. Her father was a lawyer who practiced in Battleford, eventually being appointed a judge in Estevan. Eunice shared many fond memories of playing in her yard at her house on 17th Street near Fort Battleford and going to stay at Eight Mile Lake each summer. Eunice attended Battleford Collegiate Institute (BCI) and then went to Normal School in Saskatoon to become a teacher. She taught in surrounding community schools such as McMillan, Wing-Fitzgerald, Willow Heights, East Hill and Brada. Eunice married Walter Nelson in 1948. For the first few years of their marriage, they lived in a tiny one bedroom house on the Nelson family farm near Brada. Wallie's parents retired from farming a few years later and Eunice and Wallie with their children then moved into the homestead house. Having grown up in the Town of Battleford, raising children on the farm was sometimes a challenge for Eunice. Climbing up to the roof of the two story house to rescue son Jim and Dennis Noble (who apparently didn't think they needed rescuing), while eight months pregnant with Karl, was one of many stories told about her life on the farm. Lifelong friendships were cultivated at Brada. After the arrival of their fourth child, the family moved into North Battleford to have better access to schools and activities for the children. Wallie continued farming, commuting to the farm daily. They continued to plant a huge garden, with Eunice and the children pitching in to plant, weed, and harvest. In later years, after the purchase of a ride-on garden tractor with a roto-tiller, Mom volunteered to work the garden, as the men were too busy in the fields. The offer was short-lived, as Mom soon found herself and the tractor half way up a tree, with the roto tiller running, preventing her from backing down. During harvest, Mom would package up hot suppers in pyrex containers, wrap them in many layers of newspaper to keep the food hot, and drive out to the field to feed the men. It was a treat for the kids to go with her, as the kids staying behind in town would be in charge of cleaning up the supper dishes. Eunice was a superb baker. Her peach pie was second to none, and her shortbread was melt in your mouth. She made a dessert square called Dad's Chocolate Perfection, that had to be stored in the freezer or it became too soft to handle. Eunice stored all the desserts in boxes marked mince tarts in the freezer with the squeaky lid. The newer freezer with the lid that didn't squeak contained only meat and vegetables! She volunteered regularly to make squares or sandwiches for funerals and teas. She would cut off the crusts of the sandwiches and squares, and offer them to her children, and package up the yummy parts for the tea. Eunice and Wallie enjoyed relaxing with family and friends at the cabin at Pelican Point. Or more correctly, Eunice adored the lake, and Wallie tolerated it on Sundays. Immediately after the kids returned home from the last day of school in June, Eunice would load them up in the station wagon for their six week stay at the cabin. The only interruption would be trips to the farm to pick peas, shell like mad, and blanch and freeze them in town. Three or four loads of laundry would be completed while processing the peas, then it was back to the lake. Some years, Mom would go to the lake by herself for a few days after harvest was completed. It was her haven. In later years, Wallie and Eunice enjoyed exploring new places in their motor home, and traveled by plane to various places in the world, including England, Scotland, Mexico, and the USA. Eunice returned to teaching in 1970 and continued teaching until the early 1980's, celebrating her retirement from teaching with the North West Regional College staff. During these years, she completed a Bachelor of Education degree, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan. She travelled to Saskatoon on Tuesdays, staying with her daughter until Thursday, to complete her Arts degree. Eunice was a life time member of the North Battleford Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star. She joined Star in 1945 and served as Worthy Matron in 1968 and in 1977. She was a charter member of the North Battleford Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children and was also a member of the Early Childhood Education Council for the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation. Eunice provided leadership in many local committees including the BCI Reunions, the Battlefords Northwest Historical Society and the Brada, EastHill, Roecliff History Book committee. Eunice had always been involved in creative opportunities within the community. She was actively involved in St. Paul's Anglican Church, singing in the choir and creating banners. Many of the banners that hang in St. Paul's today have Mom's handiwork on them. She particularly enjoyed sewing items for her children and grandchildren. Many evenings she could be found under the stairs in the laundry room, sewing her latest project. She was an active member of the Battlefords' Quilters, creating many original quilts and continued hand sewing quilts for family and friends during her final years in Care. Some of her quilts will be displayed at the celebration on August 31. Music was a huge comfort to her during her difficult journey with dementia. On a visit to Care you could often find Mom singing along to hymns or old-time favourites. Eunice quietly passed away in the early morning of July 30th at Battlefords District Care Centre with loved ones with her. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jim Johnson for his ongoing care during Eunice's journey with dementia. Thank you to Bob McKay from Battlefords Funeral Service. To the Staff and Management of Battlefords District Care Centre and particularly the Ward 4 Staff, words cannot fully express how much we appreciated the care and attention you provided to Eunice during her final years. You welcomed our Mother into your family and for that time and forever, became a part of ours. Thank you. We welcome all in celebrating Eunice's life on Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 2:00-4:00 pm, with a brief tribute at 2:15 p.m at the Dekker Centre, 623 Carlton Trail, North Battleford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in tribute to the Battlefords District Care Centre, Box 69, Battleford, SK, S0M 0E0, or to the Town of Battleford Opera House Fund, PO Box 40, Battleford, SK S0M 0E0 ____________________________________________________
