Obituary of Elaine Narfason
Honouring The Life Of Elaine Narfason
Elaine Valentine Reynolds was born on February 14, 1941 on the family farm, one mile from Leslie, SK. Elaine was the youngest of 9 children born to Ernest and Irene (Missen) Reynolds: Florence, Franklyn (Frankie), Bernice, Doris, Phyllis, Harry, Virgil, Lillian and Elaine. She attended the Leslie School, in Leslie SK and completed grade 10 before joining the workforce. While Elaine worked as a telephone operator in Elfros, SK she lived with her sister Phyllis and brother-in-law Stewart. When Elaine’s dad passed on August 15, 1960 at 70 years old, she was 19 years old. It was at his funeral that a dapper Funeral Director, Duane Narfason, noticed a beautiful young Elaine. Her radiant smile, naturally curly hair, and friendly personality instantly had Duane seeking out her number to take her on a date. On June 3, 1962 they were married at the Foam Lake United Church, where Elaine’s brother Frankie walked her down the aisle, followed by a reception at the Leslie Hall. Duane and Elaine lived in Foam Lake. They built and ran the Foam Lake and Wadena Theatres along with Duane’s dad, Harold Sr., and Duane’s brother Delbert. They served Foam Lake and Wadena in both Funeral Home and Ambulance businesses along with the Wynyard Funeral Home, later purchasing Naicam and Kelvington Funeral Homes. Elaine took on the role of phone answering for both the ambulance and funeral calls. A 24/7 commitment, that tied her to the house day and night. Elaine also created artificial funeral flowers, supplying all 5 funeral homes. She also worked at the “shows” in the theatre, selling tickets, making popcorn and tending the candy counter. She LLOOOVVEEEDDD to eat theatre style popcorn. For Elaine, popcorn was a complete meal. Sometimes that is all she had for lunch was popcorn, especially after Duane’s passing.
Elaine had a special connection with each of her nieces and nephews. She was just 5 years old when her first niece Sharon Denbow was born. Duane and Elaine always welcomed them to their home. It was a place to hang out and if it was a movie night they too went to the theatre, helped at the candy counter, ate free popcorn and watched the movie. Elaine often spoke of the nieces and nephews always telling a special memory about each one of them.
Elaine and Duane loved to travel, seeing many parts of the world. They toured many places in the USA, and also went to Egypt, Russia and Alaska - to name a few destinations. For many years they spent a month or three in Hawaii or Mexico in the winter. They also enjoyed “cruising” (going on cruises), being connoisseurs of good wine, and having a palate for the local cuisine of the country they were visiting. Wherever they travelled to, Elaine loved to shop. Although she didn’t buy much, Elaine looked for the perfect outfit, or the greatest keepsake. In later years, the special things they bought were for the grandchildren.
Duane and Elaine had two sons: Harold Jr. Ernest and Curtis Duane. As a family, they spent every summer at Leslie Beach at the family cottage and went on holidays to Hawaii and Disney. They also visited family in Manitoba, British Columbia and Florida. Duane and Elaine built their dream cottage in 1984 where they then moved to and lived full time. Elaine always catered to her boys, making them their favorite meals and treats at every occasion and religiously a plate full of pannukakur for their birthdays.
Duane and Elaine attended Funeral Directors Conventions across Canada and the USA, connecting with and building friendships around the globe. Times they often reminisced about the people, the places and the adventures.
Elaine loved to garden and tend to her flowers. She bowled with the “ELFS” - Elfros, Leslie, Foam Lake Sisters - her sisters Bernice and Phyllis, sister-in-law Ella and Ella’s sister Clara. Duane and Elaine were great hosts, with plenty of food and drinks being shared over a game of cards. For many years, there was a standing date with Harold, Karol, Karter and Kea for “Chicken Sunday” with Elaine’s special recipe for the best dressing and gravy ever! Elaine always had a table set with a table cloth and fine china for each occasion. Elaine loved to cook and bake pannukakur, vinarterta, toffee chews, marshmallow treats, sour cabbage rolls, ham pastries, black cod and rullupylsa.
Elaine was a classy lady who prided herself in always looking her very best. Every day, she put on a coordinating ironed outfit, lipstick, jewelry and when Elaine left the house she usually had matching shoes and purse.
In retirement, Elaine continued to bake for Harold and Curtis, garden, travel and enjoy the lake. She joined a couple of coffee groups of ladies and the horticultural society.
In 2014, Duane suddenly passed of a heart attack at the Wynyard Funeral Chapel. Just three weeks before his passing, Duane and Elaine enjoyed a 7 day all-inclusive holiday to Jamaica. After his passing Elaine, continued to travel joining Harold, Karol, Karter and Kea on their family trips to Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Hawaii. Hawaii, a trip her sister Phyllis also joined them on. Elaine always said, her bags stayed packed, just in case there was another holiday she needed to be ready for.
In 2023, Elaine was finally willing to move to Wadena for the winter months. So she moved to Wadena in April, to move back to the lake in June. Elaine’s final move to Wadena was in the fall of 2024 where it became her permanent home year round. She became friends with great neighbours, embracing the activities that were available in her retirement community. During the day, Elaine spent many hours watching the kids in the school playground across the street. In the evenings she enjoyed having a glass of wine with her neighbour Rose. With the assistance of home care, meals on wheels, Harold visiting her every day and Karol, Karter, Kea, Danielle and Logan popping in, taking her for ice cream and keeping her comfortable, she was happy and content.
In May of 2025, Elaine’s health declined and she entered Wadena Hospital. With both her memory and health declining, Elaine moved to Pleasant View Care Home in July of 2025. At Pleasant View Elaine felt like she was on another holiday as they served her meals and made her bed. Her care at PVCH, and at the Wadena Hospital was exceptional and it was an added bonus that Kea worked in the building and popped over to have lunch or coffee with her, as often as possible.
March 8, 2026, in the early morning, with family by her side, Elaine joined Duane in the heavens, dancing with her true love where her heart has always been.
These past few years, Umma often talked about her life, reliving the memories of her and Affie. She was content with her life. Umma had travelled the world, and had watched her children and grandchildren grow. Today, as a family we are sad because death is final, but we celebrate Umma and are at peace that she is no longer in pain, but an angel to guide us all in the days ahead.
Elaine leaves to mourn her passing her sons: Harold Jr. (Karol) and Curtis (Angela); grandchildren – Karter (Danielle) Narfason and their soon to arrive baby (Umma’s First Great-grandchild) Baby Narfason; Kea Narfason (Logan Schultz), Allison Narfason (Kyle Casey) and Jasper Narfason; sister Lillian (Lloyd) Single; sister-in-law Jean Reynolds as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Elaine was predeceased by her: husband Duane; parents Irene and Ernie Reynolds; sisters – Doris Taschuk, Florence Denbow, Bernice Rose and Phyllis Hunter; brothers – Frank, Harry, and Virgil; sisters-in-law – Ella, Joan and Donna; brothers-in-law – Vic Taschuk, Stewart Hunter, Jack Rose and Les Denbow as well as several extended family.
The Narfason Family would like to Thank all the staff at Wadena Hospital and Pleasant View Care Home for their exceptional care.
Celebration Of Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Foam Lake Community Hall
Foam Lake, SK
For those wishing to attend the service virtually,
a link for the livestream will be on
Elaine’s Memorial Page on www.narfasons.com
Donations in memory
of Elaine will be forwarded by the family to
The Foam Lake Community Theatre
and
Pleasant View Palliative Care Cart
Cards of sympathy and caring may be sent to
The Narfason Family
P.O. Box 602
Wadena, SK S0A 4J0
Those wishing to attend the Funeral Service virtually may do so by viewing the livestream through the link posted on Elaine's Obituary on www.narfasons.com
Please Click Here To View Livestream
If their is insufficient service at the funeral service, the livestream video will be uploaded at a later time once we gain sufficient service.
Above is the link to view the live stream. You have to register before gaining access to the waiting room. Registering can be done at any time but we recommend doing it in advance in case of any problems. If you do not have an email or mobile phone number when registering you will need to call 1-877-895-2739. The support staff at Forget Me Not Ceremonies will provide you with a code to gain access to it.
