Obituary of Elgin McLelland
With great sorrow,we announce the passing of Elgin Alfred McLelland at the age of 92 on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. He will be greatly missed by his devoted wife Agnes and loving children Kimberly, David (Shari), Colleen (Peter), Kathleen as well as all of his grandchildren. A celebration of Elgin’s life will be held at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre on April 24th, 2023 at 2:00 pm.
A life so beautifullly lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimers's Society or to the Diabetes Society as gifts of remembrance.
Elgin Alfred McLelland, of Yorkton (formally of Margo, SK.) passed away peacefully on March 8, 2023 at the age of 92 in the Yorkton Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Elgin was born in Loreburn, Sask to Alfred and Florence McLelland, he was one of 7 children.
Elgin’s formative years were at Olivet School, later attending Margo school. Once Elgin completed school his life journey began when he married the love of his life Agnes Dreveny in Margo SK. on Oct 28, 1955. They spent the winters of 1955 & 1956 in Edmonton, AB where Elgin was employed with Cessco Fabrication and Engineering LTD as a welder. In the spring of 1957 Elgin and Agnes took over the McLelland family farm. Elgin’s second love in life was the land. He loved everything about planting, growing and harvesting his crops whether it be wheat or potatoes. The decision to be a farmer also meant Elgin would hold many more roles such as mechanic, welder, carpenter, plumber, rancher, and accountant. Elgin would soon discover he had another important role in life, a father to his four children Kimberly, David, Colleen, and Kathleen.
Farm life for the young couple was a mixture of long back breaking hours. Through it all, the family was still able to spend time at their favorite lakes, swimming, fishing and having family barbeques. In the winters there was livestock to care for but also time for social events. Elgin loved to curl & was an avid pool player. As the children got older several trips were made taking them to their sporting events.
Elgin had an amazing memory for dates, names, and event details. Elgin was a story teller, we all enjoyed hearing stories of our family past. It was during a story telling evening we learned his life dream was to be an Actor and travel to Hawaii. Elgin also enjoyed countless hours of playing solitaire & was always up to a good game of crib with family. When it came to television – he had two favorite shows, The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. A little known fact about Elgin was that he loved having his picture taken & viewing the pictures later. Elgin was a sentimental family man with a big heart. He was so attached to his livestock, the neighbor was kind enough to help him butcher a beef. He loved animals, from playing with geese David bought home, to saving baby rabbits or not moving a tractor because there was a robin’s nest in the front-end loader. Elgin’s love for the family dog, King was so precious. Elgin & Agnes only allowed King in the house for one reason and that was through a thunder storm which terrified him. But somehow King persuaded Elgin to let him in the house when Agnes was gone – I guess King was lonely and knew who had the big heart!!!!
In 1980 Elgin & Agnes purchased a home in Yorkton. For years their time was spent living the winter months in Yorkton and returning to the farm in spring. Elgin and Agnes had met a wonderful group of friends and enjoyed many social events including an annual grey cup party as well as vacationing together. In 2008 Elgin & Agnes decided to sell the family farm. With the farm sold, Elgin & Agnes were able to do more traveling, including driving across the states, visiting Reno, Vegas, Florida, Texas, several trips to Mexico, taking a Caribbean Cruise and visiting their family.
Elgin was honored to host the Newfoundland team in the1985 Canadian Senior Championship Curling in Yorkton where he provided services which included leading the Newfoundland team on the ice for the opening ceremonies as well as all transportation services. Much time was spent with the team socializing between games which resulted in years of friendship.
Elgin kept busy in Yorkton, bargain shopping for groceries, planting a large garden and loved being with David at the shop.. He would often be at the shop when David had students out driving and would ensure the shop door was opened for the semi to enter when they returned. In 2022 Elgin & Agnes sold their home & resided in the Yorkton Crossing Senior Residence. Elgin lived a full wonderful long life surrounded by family and friends who loved him. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 67 years, Agnes, their four children Kimberly Frederickson, David (Shari) McLelland, Colleen (Peter) Hluchaniuk, and Kathleen Stelter, his grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and his two surviving sisters Pat Olynick and Elizabeth Craigen.
The family wants to extend gratitude to the nursing staff at Yorkton Hospital on 1st West and Hospice Care who provided not only exemplary care for Elgin but also provided support and reassurance to the family during Elgin’s final days . In addition, thanks to the Sask Health Authority Home Care and Yorkton Crossing Arbor staff who cared for Elgin. We are grateful for Baileys Funeral Home for providing Elgin the last care he would receive with caring professional hands. Most of all we want to thank family and friends for all your kind words of support, cards & flowers and in sharing Elgin’s celebration of life with us.
