ELSIE IRENE REAVELL

Elsie Irene Reavell Elsie Irene Reavell died peacefully on 23 December 2010 at Nazareth House in San Rafael, California. Elsie was born on 25 November 1916 in rural Coldsburg, Iowa to Herman and Opal Every. During the Great Depression, she graduated high school and nursing school and soon began a 50 year career as a registered nurse. Her passion was pediatrics and she often remarked that working the maternity ward was a joy, for it was the "happiest ward in the hospital." Elsie married Karl Reavell of Dubuque, Iowa in 1940 and they soon moved to San Francisco where Karl found work in the shipyards before joining the navy. They started a family and a few years after the war moved to the suburbs, ultimately settling in San Anselmo in 1956. Elsie loved to travel and journeyed to far away places including Europe, the Middle East, Russia and China. She took several sea cruises to Mexico, Alaska and around the Caribbean. Elsie was a long time parishioner of St. Anselm's Church, a member of the Decoration Guild of the Marin Art and Garden Club and socialized with the Goldenaires. She was a volunteer at St. Vincent's Dining Room and a generous supporter of the United Service Organization (USO). Elsie frequently walked her San Anselmo neighborhood and played bocce ball weekly on the courts at Albert Park. Survivors include her daughter Lynn Marie and son-in-law James Koger of San Rafael, grandsons Justin and Michael, sister-in-law Julie Every of Dubuque, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Karl, young son Karl James Jr. and siblings Don, Ada Challis and Leland. The family is grateful for the six years of loving and compassionate care Elsie received from the Sisters of Nazareth and their professional staff. A memorial service is pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent's Dining Room or the USO.