ELVA MAY SCHARF (HAMILTON) -

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ELVA MAY SCHARF (nee HAMILTON) 1911 - 2005 Elva May Scharf passed away peacefully on October 26, 2005, at Poseidon Care Centre, in Winnipeg, MB, one month prior to her 94th birthday. Elva was born on the Hamilton homestead on November 27, 1911, one of three children of Duncan and Jennie (Campbell) Hamilton; brother Cliff and sister Ruby. The family moved to another farm east of Manitou when Elva was very young. She attended school in Manitou and received Grade 11 standing. She went to school in her dad's horse drawn school van. Elva loved sports and music. She was very tall and started playing basketball as a guard for the high school team when she was only in Grade 8. She was the catcher for the school softball team. She did not use a mask or glove, as none were available. Her brother Cliff, was very musical. He took music lessons and could play any instrument. He taught Elva to play the piano by ear and chord when her dad played the fiddle. The neighbours gathered regularly at the Dunc Hamilton home to play their instruments. Cliff played the horn for the Manitou band. Elva would go to town with him a couple of times a week when he had to play or practice. She would meet her friends and during the winter they would skate to the band music. When Elva finished school in 1931, she continued to work on the farm with her dad and mom, seeding and harvesting the crop, looking after the animals, driving the school van and helping her mom. Elva married Elmer Scharf in 1933 and started her life as a farmer's wife on his farm in the Pembina Valley; two miles from La Riviere, MB. They worked together; survived the depression with poor crops and grasshoppers and were successful farmers. In August 1959, they started a new venture together, road construction. They lived in a trailer on sites around Manitoba for six years. Elva was the cook and accountant for the business. Elva loved her husband. She was a wonderful mother. She made the children's clothes, cooked superb meals and bread, canned meat, vegetables and fruit, milked cows and sold butter, cream and eggs. She loved their five children, taught them well and knew how to keep them healthy and happy. Everyone loved Elva's wonderful smile. She was featured in the Winnipeg Sun's Smile of the Day on April 6, 1994. Elva and Elmer hosted tally-hos at their home for the young people of the community from 1941 to 1957. The young people had fun sliding on the hills. After they were tired from sliding, they went in the house to warm up, drink tomato soup and socialize. Elva and Elmer provided the music and invited them to come again. The young people always came, first in horse drawn sleigh boxes and later in cars. Elva kept a list in her diaries of those who came to each tally ho. When it was time to retire, Elva and Elmer moved into a new home on Edith Street in Manitou in March 1966, where they were welcomed by wonderful neighbours. They enjoyed golfing, curling, travelling and swimming in their pool. In 1983, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Elva was predeceased by her beloved husband Elmer, in December 1991; her parents and her brother Cliff. She moved to the Westhaven in Winnipeg in August 1993 and has resided at Poseidon Care Centre since January 1998. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Beryl Bingham, Ronald (Donna) Scharf, Melvin Scharf, Thelma (Dan) Fishbrook and Donald (Barbara) Scharf; grandchildren, Phillip Bingham, Ottawa, Randy (Chris) Bingham, Darien, CT, Melacyn (Gerry) Leiding, Morden, Myles Scharf, Karmen (Blair) Sigfusson, Brad (Krystal) Scharf, Doug (Pam) Scharf, all of La Riviere, Leah Brill, Calgary, Perry Fishbrook, Nagoya, Japan, Rodney (Mica) Fishbrook, Calgary, Paul (Michele) Scharf and Paula (Joe) Ryan, Winnipeg; 17 great-grandchildren; her sister Ruby (Jim) Simpson; two sisters-in-law, Elsie Darling and Margaret Scharf; and many loving nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank friends and family members for all the support. Special thanks to the nurses, doctors, administrators and support staff at Poseidon Care Centre for all the compassionate care and support during the time Elva was a resident on the 5th floor. Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew's United Church in Manitou, MB, on Tuesday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Cemetery, La Riviere, MB. Viewing will be held at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elva's memory may be made to South Central Cancer Resource, 160 Stephen St., Morden, MB R6M 1T3, or a charity of one's choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 29, 2005