Obituary for
Ella Elizabeth Gessner
Ella Elizabeth Gessner was born to George and Mary Ruecker on the family farm south of Lemberg, SK, on November 16, 1929. She passed away on November 12, 2016, just four days before her 87th birthday. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Leonard; children Barry (Donna), Greg (Linda), Suzanne (Gunnar Hansson); grandchildren Lori (Dave) Fuller, Sheila (Kelsey) Litke, Jennifer (Tyler) Holowaty, Kayla Gessner, Yrsa Gunnarsdóttir and step-granddaughter Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir; great-grandchildren Heather Fuller, Christopher Fuller and Victoria Litke. She is also survived by brother Alfred Ruecker, sisters Edna Stack and Dorothea Baber, and many nieces and nephews; she was predeceased by sister Joan Polton.
Ella had numerous talents which she generously shared through her work and many volunteer activities in the community. She was involved with cake decorating, sewing, 4-H (where she was a leader for nearly 30 years), community choir, hair dressing and working in the courtyard at the nursing home, and was a member of the Whitewood Museum and Heritage Committee. Ella had a very green thumb which was evident from their beautiful yard and through her work with Community in Bloom. One of her greatest joys was babysitting; these precious little people became part of the family. St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wapella was a very important part of Ella’s life. She was active in Sunday School, council, playing the organ for services, making hundreds of quilts and baby layettes for donation, countless bake sales and ethnic suppers, and she cherished the many friendships developed through the congregation. Ella touched many lives and will be profoundly missed. Donations in Ella’s memory can be made to Canadian Lutheran World Relief (www.clwr.org) or a charity of your choice.
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