Elsa Mcwhite

Elsa Marie McWhite, 85, Fargo, ND, died peacefully, surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at MeritCare Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit. Elsa was born November 14, 1924 in Clanwilliam, Manitoba, Canada the daughter of Henrick and Frida Syslak. She grew up and attended Grey School. After graduating from high school, Elsa attended St Boniface School of Nursing in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she earned her nursing certificate. She worked at a variety of hospitals in Canada. Always looking for a challenge, she moved to the United States and accepted a job as head nurse at the hospital in Tracy, MN. It was there that her interest in anesthesia began since administering anesthetics was part of her job. She eventually moved to Minneapolis and took a job as private duty nurse at Miller Hospital, St Paul, MN. While working at Miller Hospital, she noticed nurses wearing special hats and was told they were Nurse Anesthetists. Since she was interested in anesthesia and wanted to wear one of those hats, she enrolled in and graduated from the anesthesia program at Miller. Elsa did anesthesia for a number of years for the small hospitals around that area. In 1969, Elsa moved to Fargo where she worked for MeritCare Hospital for twenty-two years. A few of those years, she was head of the Anesthesia Department. After retirement, she enjoyed volunteering her time at the hospital. In addition she enjoyed going out to lunch with friends and working in her garden. She also loved spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Kathy (Jeffrey) Dahl; grandchildren Kathryn Elizabeth, Alexander William and Margaret Anne all Fargo; host granddaughter Jieun Park, Seoul, Korea. In addition, she is survived by her brothers Carl (Bertha) Syslak of Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada; Dr. Walter (Shirley) Syslak of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her dog, Cherie who meant the world to her and also Dewey Cornell, a special friend from Rosewood on Broadway’s Rainbow Square. Cherie and Dewey were very important to Elsa. Prayer Service: Sunday, June 6th - Visitation from 5pm -7pm held at Hanson Runsvold Funeral Home with Prayer Service at 7pm. Celebration of Life: Monday, June 7th, 10:30am at Hope Lutheran Church (South) Fargo. Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, North Dakota In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association at Alz.org in memory of Elsa M. McWhite or to Rosewood on Broadway “Rainbow Square” Adult Day Services Unit.