Obituaries

Elaine June Jackson (nee Vatne)

June 09, 1937 - December 06, 2023

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Obituary For Elaine June Jackson (nee Vatne)

Elaine Jackson, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the age of 86.

Elaine was born June 9, 1937, in Sexsmith, AB, and grew up in the Valhalla area. Elaine and her sister Shirley moved to Grande Prairie to attend high school, where she met Don while living in the dormitory at Wapiti Lodge. They were married in September of 1958 in Valhalla.

Elaine went back to work in 1978, for Medical Associates where she met many great friends, that remained close throughout her life. Once retirement came, Elaine and Don would pack their bags and travel like snowbirds to warmer destinations. They enjoyed spending their summers camping in their fifth wheel while accompanied by friends and family.

Elaine’s favourite past time was spending time with her friends and family. She loved to sit around the kitchen table playing cards, drinking coffee, and eating sweets. After Don passed, she filled her days going for lunch with the girls, shopping with her daughter Karen, telephone chats with her son Alan, being chauffeured by her grandson Ryan, and visits with her granddaughter Leah. She loved keeping up with the details of their lives.

She will be dearly missed by her children Alan (Lynda), Karen (Mike); grandchildren: Ryan, Andrew (Courtney), and Leah (Myles); sister-in-law Lillian Newnham; brothers-in-law Henry Chateau and Dave Hutchison; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Elaine was predeceased by her loving husband Don; their infant son Brian Duane; parents Alf and Gwen, parents-in-law Robert and Mildred; brother Arden Vatne; sister Shirley Chateau; as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate Elaine’s life. A Service will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2:00pm at Oliver’s Funeral home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave), with coffee and dessert to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca/donations), or a charity of one’s choice.

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Condolences

  • December 13, 2023

    My condolences to all who knew and loved Elaine. I worked with her many years ago and will always remember her as a kind and caring woman. The warm memories she has left her family will be such a gift as they grieve her passing. With caring thoughts...Janet Tink

  • December 13, 2023

    Remembering your mom & sending you Karen & Alan our condolences on the loss of your mom. Cherish all your memories of her. Nancy Rosendale(Thibert) & Jeanette Thibert

  • December 12, 2023

    Such a special lady, dedicated to family and a true friend to so many. We are very sorry for this loss to your family. Elaine was a real gem in our books. Love and sympathy, Lance and Trudy Edgar

  • December 12, 2023

    My sincere sympathy to Alan, Karen and families. Your mother was a great lady with a beautiful smile. She and Don were great friends of my late husband, Alfred, as far back as their high school days! Thinking of you all at this sad time. Gwen Richards

  • December 12, 2023

    I worked with Elaine at Medical Associates, what a special lady, always a smile on her face, and a dedicated co-worker. I am sorry for your loss, hold all the dear memories of her close to your hearts ❤️ Linda Lefley

  • December 12, 2023

    Dear Alan, Karen and families So sorry to hear of your moms passing. I'm sure you know she and I are cousins as her mom, Gwen and my mom, Alberta (along with Inez and Clara) were sisters. I have so many memories of our growing up years. So wish I could be there in person to celebrate her beautiful life. However, may I simply say, I love you, Elaine and may you rest peacefully.

  • December 12, 2023

    Dear Alan, Karen and families As a cousin of Elaine, am so sad to hear of her passing (her mom Gwen and my mom, Alberta were sisters). I have so many fond, special, wonderful memories - however, it would take me forever to summerize all such times. But being so close to Christmas, I will speak to one special time of the year, (along with their parents Ben and Florence), the four Ferguson girls, Alberta, Gwen, Inez and Clara, and their families gathered. All would congregate at one of the sisters' house Christmas Day at about 1:00 pm for dinner. After which, the women cleaned up the leftovers, washed the dishes, then discussed "what's been happening", the men would adjourn to the living room to play cards, the kids would find ways to get into mischief! Need I say my cousin Gary Severson was a master of thinking of "bratty antics" that caused all his cousins to get into trouble as he "disappeared". (If you want me to detail how he got my cat, Munce, drunk on my dad's homemade wine, I will relate that story upon request!!!) Then about 5:00ish the leftover food would be rewarmed and served again. AND would you believe, another sister hosted the same crew for New Years, same "agenda". The other two sisters were on deck for the next year. I will end this reminishing with R.I.P. Elaine. Love you Elaine.

  • December 11, 2023

    So sorry for your loss Allan, Karen and families. It was always great to see your Mom she had a smile for everybody, was so open and warm. I remember all the family times over the years the laughs and smiles, she was always great to come see Mom and Dad. She will be greatly missed. Lynn and Brent Galipeau (Vatne)

  • December 11, 2023

    Bart and I send our deepest condolences to you all. So very sorry for your loss. Elaine was a lovely soul and important person to so many and us too. She was a second mom to Bart. Don & Elaine generously helped furnish our first place with their hand-me-down couch. I will never forget how she opened up her home and hosted a lovely wedding shower for me. Far too many fond memories to share here. What a special lady! She will be missed.

  • December 11, 2023

    Dear Alan, Karen and families. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. Mother will certainly miss Elaine's phone calls, (your mom was so good about keeping in touch). With heartfelt condolences, Lillian, Iona, Rudy, Kamille, Marina. Rick and Russ send their love as well xoxo.

  • December 11, 2023

    Elaine was such a big part of our lives growing up and still was til her passing. She will be missed by so many. Always in our memories. Hugs to all Alita and Jeff Strum

  • December 11, 2023

    Sorry for your loss Alan, Karen and families. Elaine always had a friendly hello and beautiful smile each time I would see her. Loved her Matrimonial Squares! Hers were the very best! RIP Lovely Lady💐 Sincerely Gary & Veronica

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To view the livestream of Sandra Van Schaick (Saturday at 11:00 am) or Glenn Kochendorfer (Monday at 2:00 pm) visit https://www.facebook.com/olivers.funeral.home/

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