Elsye Reader (née Topolnitski)

The family of Elsye Reader (née Topolnitski) is saddened to announce her sudden and unexpected passing.  Elsye was born June 12th, 1937 and passed just shy of her 81st birthday, with her husband Jerry by her side, early in the morning May 10th, 2018.  Elsye was born and raised in Petlura, MB and moved to Winnipeg, MB at an early age, where she started her life long career and passion for becoming a well-known and talented seamstress and raised two wonderful sons, Randy and Tony, whom she adored and was extremely proud of.  Elsye and Jerry met in Sept 1986 when the Winnipeg order of the Eagles came to Moose Jaw on their yearly Good Will trip and were married a year later on Sept 19th, 1987, surrounded by friends and family in Winnipeg, MB.  Elsye then moved to Moose Jaw, SK to begin her new life where she lived the remainder of her years, but never lost track of her strong Ukrainian heritage.  She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Lena; brothers: Walter, Merlin and Mike; father and mother-in-law, Ed and Lillian Reader; brothers-in-law, Charlie Reader and Ray Hennenfent; and sister-in-law, Marg Bristow.  Elsye has left behind, her loving husband and soul mate of almost 31 years, Jerry; sons, Randy (Winnipeg, MB) and Tony (Calgary, AB); sisters, Rose (Saskatoon, SK) and Jean (Grandview, MB); sisters-in-law: Glenda Hennenfent (Moose Jaw), Carol Reader (Calgary, AB), Betty (Wayne) Day (Moose Jaw), Frances Avery (Moose Jaw),  and  Linda (Arnold) Eldstrom (St. Albert, AB); brother-in-law, Ken Bristow (Burnaby, BC); Gerry’s daughter, Gail Reader-Duchak (Ron Duchak) of Moose Jaw; grandchildren: Desiree, Shay (Kacey) and Jay (Teri); great-grandchildren, Oliver and Zoey; as well as many, many nieces and nephews.  Elsye was very involved with her community and a proud, long standing member of the Moose Jaw and Winnipeg, MB Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary.  From playing Santa Claus for the countless children she brought smiles and gifts to each year since moving to Moose Jaw, to playing Bubbles the Klown at Eagles events in Moose Jaw and Winnipeg for the family picnics, Elsye’s presence will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  Many more will remember Elsye for knocking on doors and walking an average of 50 miles each spring when it was time to canvas for donations to the MS Society.  For about 20 years Elsye was an avid fund raiser for the MS Society and raised around $200,000.00 during her time helping out, one year raising an astounding $14,547.20!  She took great pride in being a Saskatchewan Representative for the MS Walk in New York City in 2012.  Dedication paid off not only for the amount of money raised from her hard work and selflessness for MS, but Elsye felt rewarded by the fact she was one of the top fundraisers for Saskatchewan for many years.  Elsye had many talents.  From the garden she grew each year, sharing the bounty with others around her, to her amazing skills as a seamstress, at times performing small miracles on the items she touched.  She enjoyed going to the Eagles Club for the weekly meat draws and to socialize with the many friends she had.  She held many positions with the Ladies Auxiliary over the years and traveled around Canada and to the United States with this wonderful group of ladies, where she acquired many cherished, life long memories she enjoyed sharing with others.  Elsye was an avid sports fan and her sports spirit stayed strong cheering on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (known to combine the Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey and the Blue Bombers jersey into one) and the Winnipeg Jets hockey team.  The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 17th, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Pastor Marvin Seaborg will officiate and interment will take place at Sunset Cemetery.  Flowers are gratefully declined.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Elsye’s name may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, 150 Albert St, Regina, SK S5R 2N2.  Jerry would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the EMS responders, the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital emergency staff, and especially Nursing Supervisor Haley, for their compassion and dedication.  Also, a special thank you to Duoc Nguyen, a very close friend to both Jerry and Elsye, for his support and friendship throughout the years.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Calvin Gammel, Funeral Director 306-693-4550