Peacefully and surrounded by her family, Elsie entered into her eternal home in Heaven to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the age of 85 years. Elsie (nee Ferguson) was born on May 2, 1931 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In Saskatoon, where she spent her childhood years, Elsie met the love of her life, Carl Kolbenson, and they were united in marriage on May 3, 1952. Their’s was a beautiful marriage, built upon love and faith, and producing one son and two daughters. Elsie’s life changed radically when she gave her life to Jesus Christ in the 1960’s. Moving to Alberta in 1972, Elsie and Carl served as staff members at the Living Faith Bible School in Caroline. It was there that they befriended and became “Mom and Dad” to many of the students. Elsie’s love for the Lord was evident in everything she did as she wholeheartedly pursued His presence, enjoying fellowship with Him and with members of the Body of Christ. She drew her sustenance from the Word of God that she read and mediated upon daily and loved to pray – especially for her family, whom she loved dearly. Throughout the years, she was active with church as well as many Christian organizations such as Women’s Aglow and loved to give her testimony of what the Lord had done in her life. She and Carl enjoyed hosting others in their home, often holding prayer meetings, bible studies and pot luck dinners. In her latter years, they worked together assisting new immigrants and reaching out to the needy and homeless, whom she cared for deeply. Her heart was one of true compassion for people and was always looking for ways to bless others. Elsie also had a wonderful sense of humour, brightening up every room she entered into, often greeting strangers with a hug, not just a handshake! She had a tremendous warmth that made people feel right at home – meeting her for the first time, you felt like you’d known her for years! Although our hearts are hurting from this enormous loss, we are happy that she is now experiencing total peace, health and joy in Heaven, reunited with family and friends who have gone before her. Elsie will be affectionately remembered by her beloved husband of almost sixty-five years, Carl Kolbenson of Red Deer; daughters; Cathy (Ben) Grande and Cheryl (Rick) Oosterhoff of Red Deer, grandchildren; Venessa Grande of Calgary, Jordan Oosterhoff, Marco (Tessa) Grande, Chelsea (Barritt) James, Colin Oosterhoff, all of Red Deer; and her great grandchildren; Von James, Zaiden Grande and Rory James, all of Red Deer. She will also be sadly missed by her sister, Sylvia Hamilton of Medicine Hat, brother, Keith (Sonya) Ferguson of Grand Forks, along with many nieces and nephews. Elsie was predeceased by a son, Richard Kolbenson in 2002, a brother, Paul Ferguson in 2013, mother, Eileen Ferguson in 1996, father, Alex Ferguson in 1976, brothers-in-law; Walter Hamilton and Ivor Kolbienson. Relatives and friends are invited to come and pay their respects at Parkland Funeral Home & Crematorium 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. A Candlelight Service will be held at Parkland Funeral Home & Crematorium 6287 – 67A Street, (Taylor Drive) Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. with Pastors Alvin Rainville and Leonard Beaucage officiating. Interment will be held at a later date at Alto Reste Cemetery, Red Deer, Alberta. In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations in Elsie’s honor may be made directly to the Canadian Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.ca. or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada at www.alzheimer.ca