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Elsie Bidaux Obituary

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Elsie Bidaux

Shaunavon, SK

June 25, 2020

Elsie Bidaux Obituary

The family of Elsie Margaret Bidaux (Reitan) announce the peaceful passing of their mother at the Gull Lake Special Care Centre in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Elsie’s journey through life began in Moose Jaw on November 3, 1934; a beautiful baby girl for Alice and John Reitan. Elsie was a sister to Melvin (Joe), Joyce and Phyllis (Marchbank). As a young girl growing up in Eastend, Elsie delivered papers and also helped her mom occasionally in the kitchen at the hospital. She did not finish high school in Eastend, but was very proud of herself when she received her high school equivalency diploma later in life. Elsie loved to share stories about her childhood/teenage years, often with the intention of teaching others to appreciate how much “easier” life is today with the modern conveniences. On November 3, 1951, Elsie married her soulmate, the love of her life, Louis Bidaux. They lived in Calgary for a few months, but returned to Eastend to farm, working side by side. Elsie would be out in the fields with Louis, summer fallowing, trucking the grain to bins or the elevator in Dollard, operating the auger, running for parts, and bringing meals to the farm. When asked, Elsie was very proud to list her occupation as a farmer’s wife, but she was so much more than that; she was an equal partner. The first of 6 children was born in 1952; the last was born in 1963. Although the farm and the family kept them very busy, Elsie and Louis did find time to travel – to California, Florida and a Caribbean Cruise, to name a few. However, their most enjoyable destination became the cabin at Simmie dam, where they spent hours fishing, boating and entertaining family, friends and neighbors. Elsie decided to start working outside the home in 1973, and accepted a position at the Eastend Pharmacy. The owners, Dorothy and Garry Karst, quickly became more than Elsie’s employers – they became family, and Elsie and Louis often referred to them as their adopted children. A special group of friends, known as “The Gang” were a large part of Elsie and Louis life, and Elsie was forever grateful that “The Gang” included her in all events when she became a widow. Elsie’s life was changed forever when Louis died on May 17, 1980. She stepped into her role as a widow with courage and determination, becoming a strong and independent woman. She was now a farmer, and played an active role in the daily operations. Even at the age of 84, she had her annual ride in the combine at harvest, on land that she still owned. Elsie was known for putting a lot of thought and effort into giving meaningful gifts to others. So it was not surprising when she opened a store in Eastend called “Gifts Galore”. Added to the list of occupations, Elsie was a clerk in a florist shop (Medicine Hat), the cook in a tea room (Medicine Hat), and was a camp cook for a few years in Alberta. The roads she travelled as a single woman took her to Arizona, Europe, Ohio, and Eastern Canada (a special across Canada trip with her brother and sister-in-law). But her favorite place to travel was any road that led her to family. Elsie was renowned for her cooking/baking skills, and was well known for her homemade buns, Turtles, the paper-thin breakfast crepes, homemade mayonnaise, and lefse. If mom wasn’t in the kitchen, she would be crocheting or knitting an afghan or dish cloths. In the evening during her later years, she spent many hours playing cards with friends. Elsie was very proud of all of her children’s individual accomplishments. The very best gift her children gave her were the 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. The memories she made with them were her most prized possession. Elsie was predeceased by her parents Alice and John, husband Louis, sisters Joyce and Phyllis, and special sister-in-law Margaret (Reitan). Elsie’s legacy will live on through: son Paul (Janet) Bidaux of Eastend, grandson Nick (Jodi) Bidaux and great-grandchildren Charlie and Raylin, granddaughter Carmen (Garnet) Stevenson, great-grandson Ethan (Tanner) and great great-grandson Chester and great-grandchildren Rhett, Layne and Kade; son Dewaine (Barb) Bidaux of Saskatoon, grandson Steven (Charlotte Brockman) Bidaux and great-granddaughter Hunter, granddaughter Crystal Bidaux (Joe Grimard) and great-grandchildren Cinnia, Charlize and Raleigh, and grandson Mark Bidaux (Leigh Quigley); daughter Joyce (Ritchie VanAllen) Bidaux of Shaunavon, grandson Mike (Josie) Koolen and great grand-daughters Kadence and Sydney, grandson Curtis (Amber) Koolen and great-grandchildren Kyler and Kennedy; daughter Loretta Bidaux of Shaunavon and granddaughter Alissa Berger; daughter Linda (Ken) Stearns of Shaunavon and granddaughter Diane (Josh) Palefsky and great-grandson Noah; daughter Doreen Bidaux of Canmore, Alberta, grandson Desmond (Jennea) Mashinter, grandson Ryan (Caroline) Mashinter and great grand-children Boston and Callie, and grandson Tanner (Diane) Mashinter, great-grandson Cohen and baby great-granddaughter due in July; she is also survived by her brother Melvin “Joe” Reitan of Sicamous, B.C. as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. Elsie was fortunate to have extra care, love and attention over the past few years from Paul, Janet and their family. She spoke of it often and was so grateful for all they provided. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all staff at the Gull Lake Special Care Home for the exceptional care provided to Elsie. A private graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the Eastend Cemetery with Funeral Celebrant Bernadette Schneider officiating. Binkley’s Funeral Service of Shaunavon (www.Binkleys.com) was in charge of the arrangements. For those wishing, memorial donations may be made to Eastend Cemetery Improvement League in care of Binkley’s Funeral Service at 306-297-2412 or toll free at 1-877-BINKLEY.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Elsie Bidaux hosted by Binkleys Funeral Service.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Elsie Bidaux.