The Lord called Elaine Phoebe Engel home on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024. She had just turned 91 years old in November of 2023. She was predeceased by her parents, Justin and Alexa Hunter; brother, Earl Hunter; sister, Vivian (Paul) Kepka; and infant son, David. Elaine is survived by her husband of 65 years, Erwin; daughter, Faith; future son-in-law, Pablo Marcony; and sister-in-law, Doris Hunter.
Elaine, the second child of Justin and Alexa Hunter, was born November 30th, 1932. She had many memories of Hodgeville, SK. Here she grew up and worked in her dad’s store in the earlier years. While waiting to enter nurses’ training, Elaine worked at different times for Dave Redekopp, Alfred Siebel, and Herman Kruger in Hodgeville grocery stores.
Her memory of the 1946 Hodgeville Tumbling Troop stands out in her mind as a memorable experience. Elaine, not being particularly athletic, enjoyed this tumbling experience as her and her classmates, ranging around 12 years of age, performed in Hodgeville and surrounding areas under the direction of Jack Wilkie, a teacher in Hodgeville at the time.
Elaine graduated from her schooling in Hodgeville in 1950 and in January 1951 entered nurses’ training at the Moose Jaw General Hospital (Union Hospital) for 3 years. She graduated in 1954. Needing a Matron of Nursing at the Hodgeville Hospital, the hospital board approached her concerning the position. Elaine accepted this position and worked for 3 ½ years.
Elaine met her future husband, Erwin, who boarded at her mother’s house. Erwin and Elaine were married on August 2nd, 1958, in Hodgeville. From there they left Hodgeville and moved to Midale, SK where Elaine worked at the Midale and Estevan hospitals while Erwin taught at Macoun school. After 7 years, they moved to Saskatoon, SK for one year where Elaine worked at St. Paul and City hospitals as Erwin continued his Education Degree. After finishing his University Degree, they moved to Macoun to live in the new teacherage.
On June 10th, 1959, Elaine and Erwin were overjoyed at becoming proud parents, only to lose their son David at birth. This was a sad time in their lives. Several years later they were blessed with a lovely daughter, Faith Angela on August 26th, 1968. It was then Elaine retired from nursing to pursue motherhood.
After 25 years in Macoun, Elaine and Erwin moved to Moose Jaw, SK to care for Erwin’s parents and her mom in Hodgeville. Between all this time, they were Living Book distributors, worked in the church, enjoyed gardening, and so much more as a couple. Elaine also enjoyed canning, baking, being a camp nurse, playing the saxophone and piano, plus singing solos in the church. Elaine always had a pet in the house. Most of all, was her steadfastness in serving the Lord no matter what the circumstances were. She loved the Lord very deeply and was a great prayer warrior.
The family would like to thank the staff on the Medicine Ward at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital for the care they gave Elaine.
The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 9th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Pastor Alex Allen will officiate and interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery. Those not able to attend may view the service virtually by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Elaine’s name may be made to Share Word Global, PO Box 3619, Guelph, ON N1H 7A2 or Child Evangelism Fellowship, 707 Prairie Ave, Sedley SK S0G 4K0. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
