Ella (Steinhauer) Fudge

Fudge, Ella (Steinhauer) 1920-2021

Ella passed peacefully at Eastholme, in Powassan, Ontario, on March 1, 2021, at the age of 100. She was born in the small farming community of Flowing Well, Saskatchewan, the ninth child of German immigrants from the Volga region of Russia. Both parents died shortly after Ella was born. She was taken in and raised by her aunt and uncle, while her brothers and sisters remained on the neighbouring farm. Life centered on the church and the school, and the wind blew. As a young woman, Ella came east to Port Arthur, in search of work and adventure. There she met Clarence Fudge, a soldier of the Algonquin Regiment. They married in Brandon, Manitoba on June 30, 1941. Clarence was sent overseas to fight, and upon his return, they settled in North Bay, ON, where they raised John, Don and Elaine. At first, they made their home on the Laurentian Ski Hill, where she is remembered by many little skiers for preparing their hot dog lunches in the old log chalet. Gardening was her number one passion, and so she started digging. Her garden surrounded the family home on Bolton Drive, and many will remember watching the changing seasons through the parade of her flowers. She was past president, charter and life member of the North Bay Horticultural Society, and was granted honourary life membership in the Callander Horticultural Society. Her proudest achievement was becoming a Master Gardener through the University of Guelph correspondence program. Ella also volunteered with the Cancer Society at the North Bay hospital and received a 30-year service award for her work. When the Duplicate Bridge Club started up in North Bay, Ella was there. She loved the game, and played often at the club, as well as belonging to Club Twenty, a group of ladies who enjoyed tea and desserts at each other’s homes before their games. She had many years of service with the Sir George Parkin chapter of the IODE, including four years as Provincial Councillor and two years as National Councillor for northern Ontario. Members of the horticultural society have joined Ella on a summer’s day in July, at the waterfront, for the last twenty-seven years to hold “Ella’s Picnic”, a way of keeping in touch and celebrating their gardens. Ella is survived by her sons John (Janet) of Barry’s Bay, Don (North Bay) and daughter Elaine (Paul) of North Bay, her granddaughter Sarah and great granddaughter Maggie (Ottawa) and her grandson Wesley (North Bay). She is mourned by cousin-sisters Emma Busch (Red Deer, AB) and Linda Weisberg (Humboldt, SK), as well as by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband Clarence Fudge (1992), her parents Jacob Steinhauer(1924) , Amalia (Adolph) Steinhauer (1920), her eight siblings – Henry, Karl, Ernest, Theodore, Bernhardt, Frederick, Mary and Pauline, her half-sister Theresa Knapp  and her cousin-sister Lorraine Kirsch. Ella loved politics and managed to instill this interest in all of her children, with every political party being represented. Her sense of humour was evident, as well as her belief in hard work and thrift, shaped by living through the Great Depression. Respecting Ella’s wishes, no services will be held. Cremation has taken place. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, support to the Eastholme Residents Fund would be appreciated (Please note: Cheques must be payable to Eastholme, address below). Her family would like to take this opportunity to thank the outstanding caregivers at Eastholme. We were very lucky to have had their partnership over the last four years. Rest in Peace, Mom. Sleep Well.