Elva “Norine” (Saubak) Carlson
May 20 , 1934 - January 22, 2016
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, mother-in-law, gramma and great gramma (GG). She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Ponoka Hospital, Ponoka, Alberta. She was born in Taber, Alberta to Lester and Sarah (Sadie) Day. Her childhood years were spent on the farm south of Fincastle, Alberta with eight other siblings. Her father passed away when she was only two years old. After his death, the family moved to Taber where she received all of her education to Grade 10 and then she went to work at the Post Office. After her corresponding by letter for quite some time with Earl Saubak, they married on February 2, 1953. After their marriage, they moved to Devon, Alberta where they first son, Jim, was born. Shortly thereafter they moved back to Taber. While living in Taber; Ron, Gerry and Karen were born. Then a job came along in the Oil industry which moved the family to Tilley in 1962. Our first home there was a run down farm house, affectionately known as the “Ponderosa”. In 1963, we moved into the town of Tilley and that was the beginning of being settled for many years. In 1964, Cheryl was born to complete the family. Mom returned to work for Canada Post at the Tilley Post Office where she was Post Mistress for 25 years. Mom and Dad were divorced in 1995, and she moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta. That same year, Mom became very ill and experienced liver failure. In December of 1995, she received a liver transplant at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. That gave us 20 more years to spend with her. In 1998, Mom met her second husband, Tory Carlson. They were married October 10, 1998 and spent their time happily in Medicine Hat until his death in June of 2007. Dad passed away previously that year, onJanuary 1, 2007 in Brooks, Alberta. Mom then moved to Red Deer to be closer to her family. Then in 2009, her health started to decline so we moved her to Sunrise Village in Ponoka, Alberta. Gerry and Gwen saw to it that her every need was met. She lived there until her death. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, dancing, her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by five children, Jim (Cindy), Ron (Hui), Gerry (Gwen), Karen, and Cheryl (Darrell Hein) ten grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and all her siblings: Ivan Day, Albert (Bud) Day, Verna Brown, Floy Hyde, Lenor Edwards, Donna Carlsen, Phyllis Day, James (Jay) Day, her first husband Earl, and her second husband, Tory. She was laid to rest at the Prairie View Cemetery in Medicine Hat, on January 29, 2016 with immediate family present. The ceremony was officiated by Bishop Schow from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A Celebration of Life will be held in Ponoka on May 20, 2016. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Liver Foundation, Calgary/Southern Alberta Chapter, Suite 309, 1010 - 1 Ave. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7W7 or to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 1A St SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0G5. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Norine Carlson , or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.
Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 2V6. Please call 1-866-526-2214 for further information.