Lloyd John Elder

In Loving Memory of

Lloyd John Elder

1915 - 2015

With sadness the family of Lloyd Elder announces his passing on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the Crocus Court Personal Care Home in Roblin, Manitoba.

Born April 4, 1915, on the farm near Waskada, Manitoba, Lloyd was the oldest child of Jean (nee Fyfe) and Charles Elder.  He had one brother, Charles, and two sisters, Mina (Snell) and Jean (Robinson). 

Lloyd then accompanied his parents to farms in Mulvihill in the Interlake, then to Dufrost and Arnaud in the Red River Valley, before settling north of Makaroff, Manitoba in the spring of 1927 when Lloyd was 12 years old. 

Although Lloyd’s formal education at Makaroff School was limited to about Grade 5, his lifelong learning experiences more than made up for it.  To counter hard times as a young man he worked on road construction, logging, custom trucking, school van driver, in addition to farm work.

In 1939, at age 24, Lloyd married Irene Boyce who was born and raised in Makaroff.  Lloyd and Irene continued to live and farm near Makaroff and started a family of their own.  In the spring of 1944 the family moved to a farm in the Sunny Slope district where the farm still operates.   Here, they raised their six children; Beverly, Florence, Ron, Veryl, Earl and Bruce.   Lloyd was very family oriented and reminded his family often of their Scottish heritage of which he was proud.

Lloyd served as a councillor in the Rural Municipality of Shell River for close to 40 years.  He was extremely honored to hold this position and worked hard to upgrade the road system in Ward 4.

Lloyd continued to farm until 2011, when an accidental fall resulted in him becoming a quadriplegic.  This physical decline in mobility necessitated his move to the Crocus Court Personal Care Home. 

Lloyd was predeceased by his wife Irene (nee Boyce) in 2008; his parents Charles and Jean Elder; grandson Rick Elder; brother Charles Elder; sister Mina and brother-in-law Gilbert (Gib) Snell; sister Jean and brother-in-law Alton Robinson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ivan and Ellenor Boyce; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Orval and Velma Boyce, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Alf and Shirley Boyce; nephews Doug Robinson, Michael Boyce, Calvin Boyce, Greg Boyce; nieces Pam Belair (nee Robinson) and Lorna Inkster (nee Snell).

After attaining nearly 100 years of age Lloyd is survived by all his children; Beverly Ruschiensky of Regina, SK; Florence (Ben) Siemens of Calgary, AB; Ron (Gwen) Elder of Saskatoon, SK; Veryl (Wes) Becker of Regina, SK; Earl (Andrea) Elder of Lethbridge AB; and Bruce (Marlene) Elder of Roblin.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Edna (Charles) Elder. He will also be missed by his 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

A Prayer Service was held on Friday evening, January 9, 2015, at 7:00 PM at the Chapel of Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home in Roblin. 

The Interment Service took place at the Makaroff Cemetery at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, January 10, 2015.  The Casket Bearers were Lloyd’s grandchildren Todd Becker, Bradley Milne, Sean Siemens, Ryan Siemens, Vince Elder and Carson Elder. 

Lloyd’s Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at 2:00 PM at the Roblin Community Centre with Reverend Mark Hammond of Roblin Knox United Church officiating.  Family friend, Mr. Neil Stewart delivered the Words of Remembrance for Lloyd and grandson Mr. Ryan Siemens paid a tribute to Lloyd.  Family friend, Mrs. Anna Stewart, read the Scripture Lesson.  The Piper, Mr. Doug Storey piped the Elder family into the hall, prior to the Processional Hymn “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”.  The Pianist, Mrs. Allison Shearer-Craig and the Knox United Church Choir also led the congregation in singing the hymns “In the Garden”, and “In the Sweet By and By”.  The Piper, Mr. Doug Storey piped the Elder family out of the hall at the conclusion of the Funeral Service.

Following the Funeral Service a Memorial Reception was served for family and friends at the Roblin Community Centre.

Close the Gate For Dad

For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,
Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.
Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,
Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son,
Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done.
A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,
The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.
Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,
Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.
You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,
Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.
Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait,
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

nairn-chyzfuneralhome.com