MARY ELIASON of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Elmo Eliason, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at the age of 89 years.

Mary was born in Manitoba on July 16, 1919 to Julia and Sam Diakow. Her father was a Section Forman for Canadian Pacific Railway so they moved often to different areas such as Raley, Bow Island and Wrentham. She met the love of her life Elmo Franklin Eliason and married him on December 2, 1939. Together they lived on a farm in Wrentham until Elmo's passing. Mary then moved to Lethbridge and resided there for 25 years. Mary taught piano lessons for many years and took great pride in the accomplishments of her students. She had a happy outlook on life and loved to dance, watch baseball, enjoyed a good laugh, and everything musical.

Mary is survived by her son Bruce (Connie); grandchildren Jacqueline (Greg) Paulgaard, Troy Eliason (Sabrina Schuler), and Michelle (Duane) Nevil; great-grandchildren Josh and Zach Eliason, Riese, Clay and Max Nevil and Julia and Joel Paulgaard; sister Leah (Dennis) Nate; special friend Heather Kunz; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Besides her beloved husband Elmo, Mary was predeceased by her sister Matilda (Ray) Boehm.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 318 - 10 Street South, Lethbridge, with Father Tim Boyle officiating. Interment to follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.