Ella was born on October 8, 1925, to Lily (nee Ransome) and Gordon Stouffer in Holmfield, Manitoba, the eldest of 8 children. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband Delbert Dean Knaggs (1975) and son Shawn David (1974), also by her sisters Joyce, Robin, Jean and brother Brian. She is survived by her brothers, Frank (Carole) and Leslie (Irene). Mom’s life revolved around her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Brian Knaggs (Joseph Knaggs/Annell Cook, Luna, Lily, Mathew and Richard Cook) Colleen/Henry Neufeld (Tax, Tilar, Jody, Ryan) Rhonda Ryppo/Greg.
Wendy Dorion/John Vandusen (Shanna Milette/ John (Curtis, Rylan, Travis) Brandee Borne/Rob (Zenon) Andrew/Lindsey (Hudson, Charlotte, Marshall)
Lynne Douglas/Garry Spiss (Patrick Scharien/Mandy, Larysa, Kaylee, Blake) Tara Janzen/Tim (Declan, Maclean, Lachlan, Piper) Leslie Scharien.
Ken Knaggs/Janice (Daniel/Karen (Paris, Skylar, McKenzie)) David, Joel/Jessica (Troy, Seth, Lucas).
Cherie Wood (Sara Vandersluis/Richard (Cody/Shania, Brooke, Whitney, Kinsley, Colt, Scout) Travis Wood/Betty Goodfellow, Stuart Wood/Louise Atley (Gibson Atley)
Calvin Knaggs/Laurie Myhal (Karlene)
Shannon Knaggs/Robyn Reilly (Eva, Lily)
Brenon Knaggs/Nancy (Michelle Knaggs/Alex MacPhail (Aubrey). Jeffrey Knaggs.
Leonard Knaggs/Katherine.
Mom spent her childhood, looking after her younger brothers and sisters, helping her parents through the Great Depression, riding horses, swimming, and baffling her teachers. As a young woman she joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps and was a private working in Medical Records where, as the story goes, she first met our dad. Mom and Dad were married on September 22, 1945 and moved out to a small farm just east of Elm Creek. Dad was the postmaster in town, a career he held until his death in 1975. In 1956 they moved to an acreage on the edge of town which mom loved until she moved into Heritage Manor. Mom was a great gardener and like many of her generation who had lived through the Depression would can and preserve jars and jars of fruit, vegetables and pickles, freeze bags of vegetables and even can chicken. She was a wonderful baker, and we would come home from school to find the kitchen table covered with freshly baked bread, buns and cinnamon rolls. Mom also enjoyed curling, playing baseball on the local women’s team and fishing. In her later years she took up golf and enjoyed golfing with her friends, although it is rumored, she may have cheated on her scorecard occasionally while golfing with her grandsons. After trying to get her to move into the Manor for years, mom suddenly decided she would go. She enjoyed her little apartment and her neighbours so much that she asked us one day why we hadn’t let her move there years ago. When mom’s health declined further, she was moved to Tiger Lily House in Boyne Lodge where she received care until her death.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elm Creek Community Hall.
If family and friends so desire donations in Ella’s memory may be made to the Elm Creek Housing Corp (Heritage Manor) Box 314, Elm Creek, MB R0G 0N0.