November 10, 1941 – November 29, 2022
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Elayne Kirsten Tarzwell on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer. She was 81 at the time of her passing.
Elayne was born on November 10, 1941 in Canwood, Saskatchewan to Amil and Gertrude Grimm. After the death of her cherished father, Elayne moved with her mother and siblings to Parkside, Saskatchewan, which is the place she always considered home.
After a precocious childhood on the Canadian prairies, Elayne entered the Misericordia School of Nursing in Edmonton, Alberta in 1962. After graduating from the University of Alberta in 1965, she moved to Fairview, Alberta where she began a long and storied career as a public health, hospital, and doctor’s office nurse. In 1991 the family relocated to Didsbury, Alberta, where Elayne again held a variety of nursing positions.
Along with her professional career, that included being a member of the Fairview Hospital Board, Elayne selflessly volunteered her time with the Kinnettes, Girl Guides of Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, and Eastern Star. She was also an avid curler, downhill skier, hockey/baseball mom, and later in life began to hike in the Rocky Mountains.
It was in Fairview where Elayne met and married her beloved husband Donald Bryce Tarzwell in 1966. They had their daughter Heather Dawn in 1969 who was followed by their first son Bryce Donald in 1972. Their second son, Kirby Amiel, was born in 1979. Nothing brought Elayne more joy than her grandchildren. Granddaughters Emerson and Sayler were born in 2001, and grandsons Kane and Kable were born in 2003 and 2013, respectively.
Elayne was predeceased by her father Amil Grimm in 1953, brother Alfred Grimm in 1981, brother Maurice Grimm in 1982, mother Gertrude Grimm in 1994, sister Vivian Martin in 2000, and sister Norma Grimm in 2007. She is survived by her husband Donald Tarzwell, daughter Heather Tarzwell, granddaughter Emerson Dubé, grandson Kane Dubé, son Bryce Tarzwell, daughter-in-law Marcia Tarzwell, granddaughter Sayler Tarzwell, grandson Kable Tarzwell, son Kirby Tarzwell, and daughter-in-law Gabrielle White.
A yet to be scheduled memorial will be held for Elayne in Parkside, Saskatchewan. If friends desire, memorial tributes can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Heartland Funeral Services Olds entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made or viewed at heartlandfuneralservices.com
