Elsie Christenson turns 95 years old on November 21.
She was born in her aunt's house in Rapid City, Manitoba in 1917. She grew up on a farm and lived there until she was 12 years old, then the family moved to Torch River, Saskatchewan. She went to school till about grade 8 then went to work at the store in Whitefox. She had two sisters and one brother.
Elsie loved to dance so much that she would walk six miles on a Saturday night to a local dance. It was at one of those dances that she met a young man named Alf Christenson who asked her to dance. Alf must have been pretty smooth on his feet because when she turned 18, in 1935 they got married and had one girl and three boys. They moved to Prince George in 1947. Her daughter Joyce and her sister Edith Sandy both live in Prince George. Over the years Elsie has seen a lot of changes to the City.
Alf was in the logging industry and Elsie worked at Eaton's as a sales clerk for 17 years. Elsie recalls the time Alf had decided to stop and have a couple of drinks with the boys after work so she had to drive his logging truck home. She said she never even questioned it, she just did it. Elsie had many hobbies such as quilting, needle point, and ceramics. She and Alf travelled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. They were married for 57 years when Alf passed away in 1992.
Elsie moved to Asher Place Seniors Residence seven years ago. In fact she was the second person to move into the new facility. Elsie has lost a bit of her sight due to macular degeneration but she never misses bingo, horseracing or anything else the activity club puts on at the residence.
She said the only thing she misses is her car but enjoys her four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren and apparently one more great, great grandchild on the way. Elsie's pride is in her family and she says, "Things were not always easy but we managed and we did it together."
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Flu Clinics: Wednesday from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at 1692 10th Ave.
November 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 6986 Hart Hwy at the Hart Senior Centre
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Craft fair news: Hart Pioneer Centre 6986 Hart Hwy Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., lots of parking and free admission.
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World Diabetes Day: Speaker Dr. Justin Frey MD will speak on the topic of protecting our future and taking charge of diabetes on Wednesday at the Commonwealth Health Centre on Seventh Avenue from 7 to 9 p.m. Free admission (donations welcome) call 250-561-9284 for information.
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