Obituary of Elaine Karlonas (nee Burton)
A recording of the service is available below
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother and nana, Elaine, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the age of 87 years. Elaine was born in Richardson, Saskatchewan on May 27, 1933 to parents Hazel and Wilbur Burton. The family moved shortly thereafter to a farm in Balgonie, Saskatchewan where she grew up with her 4 siblings and graduated high school. Following graduation, Elaine went on to Business College at Balfour Tech and started her career in the “big city” before she agreed to marry the love of her life, Albert. They were married in 1955 and made their home in Regina.
Elaine always knew she wanted the excitement of the city, and with the help of her education and husband Albert she made her dreams reality. Her first job out of college was with Coop Credit Society and then to Balfour Moss Law Firm. After the birth of her two daughters, she took a brief hiatus, but eagerly jumped back in as Albert’s bookkeeper for his gas stations, first at Shell Central and then Albert Park Shell. Shortly after the sale of their business she decided on a whim to apply for a secretarial position at the (then) brand-new Southland Mall. It would become the height of her career accomplishments. She spent 20 years with Cadillac Fairview, challenging herself with roles from part-time Secretary to full-time Account Administrator before retiring in 1997. Many a manager were said to have been “trained” by Elaine before moving on to bigger shopping centres. Even today it is not uncommon for one of her daughters to run into an old co-worker or mall tenant who happily shares memories of Elaine’s kindness and no-nonsense work ethic.
Her career was only one of several facets in life that Elaine was passionate about. She was a dedicated member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority for over 65 years, always willing to take on leadership roles in her own chapter as well as mentor younger ones. The friendships she cultivated and maintained were special to her, and there was always a story or two that would give her a chuckle to recall to her daughters and grandchildren after she returned from one of their annual conventions.
As a mom, Elaine was hands on and energetic. She kept both girls busy with extra-curriculars ranging from piano and singing lessons, to baton twirling and tap dancing. She was talented with a sewing machine making her own evening gowns for special events, plus she made sure none of the girls’ Barbies went without the new outfits (which trickled down to ensuring her grandchildren had the best new Christmas pajamas every year). The whole family cherished summer trips to Waskesiu or weekends to the cottage at Saskatchewan Beach plus occasional “back to school” trips to Minot, North Dakota.
Following retirement, she and Albert enjoyed winter trips to warmer countries such as Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Cuba along with annual Christmas trips to Calgary to be with her grandchildren. She was always ready, with or without Albert, to visit and take care of them. Anyone she talked to knew how deeply she loved her role as their Nana, and each grandchild felt they shared a special bond with her.
She will be deeply missed by her daughter Heidi; daughter and son-in-law Stacey and Greg Bobyn and three beautiful grandchildren Laura, Amy, and David. She is survived by sisters Ida Mae Karlonas, Dorothy Wagner and brother Barry (Enid) Burton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Albert (2011); brother Lawrence (2013); brothers-in-law Vince (2012), John (2013) and Arnold Wagner (2017); sister-in-law Chris Karlonas (2008); niece Brenda; nephew Brian; mother Hazel (1989) and father Wilbur (1985).
A private funeral service will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Speers Funeral Chapel, interment in Regina Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, 2180 – 23rd Avenue, Regina, SK S4S 0A5.
