Lyla Elefson

Lyla B Elefson, 87, of Yakima Washington, passed away September 14, 2012 at home under the care of loving nurses and in the presence of family. A memorial service will be held October 6, 2012 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church.

Lyla was born August 30, 1925 in Bottineau North Dakota. She was the daughter of Tennes and Galena Carlson, and the third to the youngest of nine children, who, in order of age were: Ernest, Gladys, Hartley, Maybelle, Harold, Vernon, Vivian and Lester. In 1946 she graduated from nursing school in Minot North Dakota.

While working as a nurse in the Northwest, she met Waldo Elefson, and they married in 1946 in Puyallup Washington, where Waldo taught school. In 1948 their first daughter, Linda, was born. In 1952 their second daughter, Sue, was born. In 1959, after moving to Yakima Washington, their son, Donald, was born.

The family stayed in Yakima, with Lyla working as a nurse at Memorial hospital until age 70.

Lyla had many friends .She had friends from her time at the hospital, like co-workers and women she took care of before and after childbirth. Tennis and the Yakima Tennis Club was a source of friends. Also, she was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, participating in deacon service and bible studies. Lyla loved to hike and had a special group of friends with whom she trekked up and down cascade trails. She skied, and went on exciting ski trips with a regular group of people from Yakima. In short, her activities involved people; she gravitated towards people and people to her; she was, simply put, a ”people person”.

Her surviving family includes: Sue Ann Day, Donald and Martine Elefson, and Alan Conant; five grandchildren: Jodi Latta, Drew Conant, Celine Elefson, Maximilian Elefson, and Sasha Day; five great-grandchildren: Tyler Latta, Logan Latta, Avery Latta, Reade Conant and Riley Conant. Her surviving siblings are: Harold, Maybelle, and Lester.

Lyla Elefson was preceded in death by five siblings, her mother and father, her husband Waldo, and her beloved daughter Linda Conant. Through her life and nursing career she affected many lives in Yakima. She will be missed.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at First Presbyterian Church. To share a memory of Lyla please visit, www.keithandkeith.com.