Obituary of Elsie Jean (Schnell) Sillak

On July 5, 2022, Elsie Jean (Schnell) Sillak of Red Deer, Alberta, passed away at the age of 81.

Elsie is survived by her children Greg (Geri) Sillak and Michele (Paul) Donohue; and grandchildren Candace (Ryan) Carroll, Andrew Sillak, Allen Donohue, Micayla Donohue, Brittany (Cam) Wright, Savanna Jendrasheske, Justin Jendrasheske; great-grandson Emmett Wright; and siblings Don (Carol) Schnell, Gerrie Packard, Allan (Angie) Schnell, Terry (Janet) Schnell, Randy (Cathy) Schnell, Sandra Prosser, Tim (Lori) Schnell and Rob (Colleen) Schnell. She was predeceased by her husband Ken Sillak, daughter Nicole Jendrasheske, parents Jacob and Johanna Schnell, and brothers Wayne Schnell and Darrell Schnell. Elsie was the oldest of 11 kids.

Elsie was married to Ken for 60 years. She met Ken at the glass factory in Medicine Hat, Alberta. They lived in Wetaskiwin, Edmonton, North Vancouver, Whitehorse, Yukon, and Red Deer. Elsie had a variety of different careers, including Hudsons Bay, Murdochs Gem Shop, Dr. Brannigan’s Medical Clinic, and spent many years working at the federal government, Dept of Crown and Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. In 1996, Elsie (and Ken) moved from Whitehorse, Yukon, to retire closer to family in Red Deer, Alberta.

Elsie was a very active member and volunteer with the Red Deer Legion for 25 years. She also volunteered with the Arthritis Society for many years. Elsie was exceptionally musically talented, and taught herself to play the piano by ear at a young age, while also being blessed with a beautiful and powerful singing voice.  She loved socializing, music, camping, collecting antique glassware, crafts, shuffleboard and Elsie was also widely known as an incredible cook.

Elsie was very loved by her family and will be deeply missed, by family and friends alike.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Airdrie Town & Country (275 Jensen Dr. NE, Airdrie, AB) on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11:00 am.

For a link to a recording of the Celebration of Life, friends and family may contact the Sillak family.

Memorial donations can be made to the Alberta Arthritis Society (phone 1-800-321-1433).

Condolences for the family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net (please include "Sillak" in the subject line).

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944