Obituary of Nellie Vereshagen

September 22, 1933 – October 14, 2020

 

Sadly, our Mom/Bub, the delightful lady with the ever-present twinkle in her eye, passed away suddenly but peacefully on October 14, 2020, with her immediate family at her side. Mom has waited for almost 24 years to be together again with the love of her life, Pete, after his untimely passing on December 26, 1996. Together with Dad again, Mom has earned her rest. 

 

Mom was a daughter, sister, wife, Aunty, Buba, and friend, but most importantly, a mother. Without a doubt, Mom had unending love for many, but she loved her children the most and was always there when we needed her. A telephone call, a listening ear at the kitchen table, or a pot of soup when you were sick. When we think of Mom, it’s that she was always there in the best way she could be; and we all knew it. She was simple and honest and didn’t like a lot of fluff and fuss.

 

Mom lived a full and active life till the day before she passed. Always a nurturer, she put everyone else ahead of herself; she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Her passing is a significant loss to our family, but we take some solace in knowing how completely happy and satisfied Mom was with her life and how badly she wanted to be with Dad again.

 

Born and raised in the West Kootenays, her fondest childhood memories were when the family lived in Queensbay, where she started school. Nellie had three sisters, all of whom predeceased her. Her two older sisters, Pauline, and Annie, were close in age. Mom was a bit younger, and Carol came 12 years later.  She and Carol had a close relationship as adults.

 

From an early age, Mom learned to sew, knit, and crochet; skills she mastered. Many of her friends envied her sock knitting, and she could sew or repair just about anything. Mom was also a fabulous cook. Her father said Mom’s borscht was better than even her Buba’s. 

 

In Nelson, a handsome bus driver from Fruitvale encountered a beautiful but shy clerk at the Liberty store. They married in May of 1953. Their life together began in Fruitvale, where they started their family. Dad’s love of the East Kootenay brought them to Wasa on November 1, 1969.

 

Nellie was well known in the community of Wasa Lake, where she would have celebrated 51 years of residency on November 1. She volunteered for the weekly pancake breakfasts in the summer and made Bannock for the Wasa Winter Festival. She is fondly remembered by her neighbours, who had pleasant chats and enjoyed watching her and Sam (her twin in dog years) on their daily walks. She was young at heart, fit, and independent. To prove this, she walked the 8 km Wasa/Lions trail alone on her 85th birthday.

She was always up for an adventure. She was often seen navigating from her very close granddaughter, Sarah’s truck. They would do cabin checks in the area and many other shenanigans the two conjured up. When Dad, her soulmate, was alive, the two were inseparable, doing everything together from flooding the Wasa skating rink at 3:00 a.m., cross-country skiing into Fish Lake, and spending two weeks backcountry skiing at Mt. Assiniboine.  Mom would never pass on an opportunity to go for an airplane or helicopter ride with her son Charlie.

 

Mom took great satisfaction in giving, being it bounty from her garden, knitting socks, crocheting slippers, or her fresh-baked bread and buns, but her most endearing trait was the ability to listen without passing judgement. Family, friends, and strangers always felt welcome in Mom’s home. She was humble and hospitable with everything she had. Mom loved many people and could be counted on to be there for anyone who needed a kind ear wholeheartedly; but, unconditionally, her children and their families: daughter Judy/Bill Cleland (Lauren, Lindsay), son Charlie Vereshagen, and daughter Sherry Shields/Ron Hrisook (Sarah, PJ, Rob, Stephanie, Steven). She also leaves nine great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends to cherish her memory.

 

Many have spoken about Mom’s bright light and the twinkle in her eyes; it was always present. She had inner strength with the calmness and disposition you would want in a best friend. She preferred to listen rather than talk, but it was always kind, thoughtful, and nonjudgmental when she spoke. Her view on life was simple and honest, always looking for the positive, lighter side to what life presented.

 

Mom was the last of her generation in our family. Thankfully, she taught us a few things, but it will never be the same; it’s the circle of life. The great void we feel will narrow with time, but she will always be loved and never forgotten.

 

We all feel honoured to have had her as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and lifelong companion. She was a special person. “For such a small person she sure was grand,” words from Mom’s close niece, Sharon.

 

A close family friend reminded us that Mom didn’t like long goodbyes.

So, in his words, “Happy Trails.”

 

We plan on having an outdoor celebration of Mom’s life next summer with

whatever COVID-19 restrictions apply at that time, hopefully none.

 

In memory of Nellie Vereshagen, donations may be made to the upkeep of the Wasa Lions Trail, C/O Wasa Lions.