Obituary of Elsie May Palmer

PALMER: Elsie May Palmer of Brandon, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the age of 94 years. Elsie was born on July 9, 1919 in Manor, Saskatchewan to John Percy Ingram and May (Dennis) Ingram. She had a happy childhood, graduating from secondary school in Manor, after which she travelled to Winnipeg to take a secretarial course. In 1943 she met the love of her life, an RCMP Constable named William LaMar Palmer. Soon after they met, LaMar was posted to Whitehorse, Yukon. RCMP policy at this time dictated that he couldn't be married until he had spent seven years in the force, so Elsie waited for him until they could marry in 1947. LaMar and Elsie spent the next two decades at postings throughout Manitoba, where Elsie supported her husband, and gave birth to their three sons. When Elsie and LaMar settled in Brandon in 1968, Elsie began working at the Teacher's Credit Union, where she eventually served as Manager. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Elsie served in numerous callings including fourteen years as Relief Society President, one year as a Temple Worker in Cardston, Alberta, and ten years as an Ordinance Worker in the Regina Temple. In her later years, Elsie became an enthusiastic member of the Handbell Choir, and spent many happy hours practicing and performing with her bell ringing friends. Over the years, Elsie opened her home to many university students and immigrants. She had a special spot in her heart for the Torres family, Hector, Yuly and Juan Camilo, who we now consider part of our family. In 2013, Elsie was recognized by the RCMP for the support she provided to the force as an "unpaid second man" while her husband was posted throughout southern Manitoba in the early years of their marriage. The above photo of "Gramma" was taken at this event. Elsie was predeceased by her husband LaMar in 1996. She is survived by her brother Dennis George Percy Ingram, sons Gary (Marilyn), Richard (Susan), and Bruce (Kerri), grandchildren Christopher (Chasity), Mark (Lana), Todd, Andrew (Collette), Jolie (Jordan), Collin, Matthew, Kyle (Brandi), and Michelle, great-grandchildren Kiera, Caeli, Marie-Claude, Liam, Alexandre, Brinn, Logan, Thalia, and Taylor. A funeral service to honor Elsie's life will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 107 Queens Avenue East, on Monday, June 2, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with her son, Bishop Bruce Palmer officiating. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elsie may be made to The Arthritis Society, 105-386 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3R6 or to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, 700-10665 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3S9.