Elise Olava (Guttormson) Philip

Elise Olava Philip (nee Guttormson), 97 years, of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Watson passed away peacefully with her sister by her side on Saturday, November 5, 2022.  Elise was the first of 14 children born in Naicam to Martha and Edwin Guttormson.  We can only imagine the responsibility she felt.  She said she never really had the opportunity to be a kid.  She left home to go to work doing housekeeping for other families at the age of 12.  Later she moved to British Columbia.  In 1945 Elise married Andrew Sieben.  They had four children – Stanley, Donald, Robert and Helen.  In 1970, she married Jerry Philip and together they were janitors for numerous buildings in Prince George.  They built a house just out of the city.  Many good meals with relatives and friends were enjoyed there.  Her home was a gathering place for many occasions and her fresh baked bread was enough to keep her guests coming back.  Jerry passed away in 1983 and Elise continued to janitor one building until she retired at age 65.  She had many friends and was a wonderful sister and sister-in-law, mothering them through life.  Elise was AUNTIE to an innumerable number of children in Prince George. She taught the Primary Class at church for many years.  Over the years, she took in many boarders who would become her friends and always remember her with cards and letters on birthdays and at Christmas.  Her last boarder was Brenda who became more like a daughter to her and stayed until she married Mark.  They had two girls Hannah and Sarah and to them Elise was known as Nana.  They loved to come and visit her and often played her out with their youthful energy.  She was a friend to all and knew many people around Prince George.  To walk down a city street with her was an experience.  People stopped her to talk and even when she met strangers, she always took the opportunity to chat and encourage them.  She loved all and they loved her.  That love included reprimands for wrong doings if she felt they were necessary.  Elise had a great sense of humour and as many from her era, she was generous with others but frugal with herself.  With losing her hearing, she shied away from groups and enjoyed one-on-one conversations. Elise will be remembered by four children, one granddaughter and three great grandchildren:  Stanley of Valleyview, AB; Donald (Judi) of Saskatoon, SK; Robert (Heidi) and family Rachel (Brad) Egan and their children Emily, Chase and Makenna, all of London, ON; and Helen of Red Deer, AB; sisters: Ruby, Olive and Jean (Mike); sisters-in-law Martha (Bob) and Del; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many wonderful friends.  The sad thing about a long life is losing your friends and family to death along the way.  Elise is predeceased by her parents, Edwin and Martha; husband Jerry Philip; and brothers and sisters:  Gordon, John, Einar, Allan, Stanley, Ingvald, Verna, Mary, Irene and Myrtle.  A Funeral Service for Elise was held on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Quill Lake Seventh-Day Adventist Church, officiated by Pastor Ron Marshall.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.