Elva Counard, 87, of Scottsburg, Indiana, left this earth on October 5, 2022. The youngest of nine children born to John and Millie Petersen, she entered this world on September 29, 1935, in McKinley, Wisconsin.
Elva graduated from Amery High School in Amery, Wisconsin. She attended River Falls College, where she received an associate degree in Nursing. Elva also met her husband Gene, while at college. Together, they raised three daughters, Mary, Ann and Julie. Elva loved her family more than anything else. Her daughters remember their mom playing Ghost and kickball with them and the neighborhood kids while growing up. They also enjoyed many camping and canoeing trips with other families. Mary, Ann and Julie grew up eating homemade rolls, bread and cookies and lots of delicious dinners made by their mom. Elva’s grandkids talk fondly of her playing with them when they were young. They still talk about Grandma helping them use their imagination to go to Care Bear Land, and also tying up the deck for hours with ropes and string, making several different creations. Elva and Gene enjoyed playing euchre and visiting with neighbors. In their retirement years, they spent several winters relaxing in Florida playing golf and trying different restaurants for lunch with friends.
Of her nursing career, which spanned from the 1960s through the 1990s, 22 years were spent in Scottsburg, working at a nursing home, then known as Williams Manor. She was truly dedicated to her job and passionate about the people she cared for. She always said, “I love my little, old people!”
Preceding her in death were her husband of 63 years, Gene Counard, her parents John and Millie Petersen, brothers Ewald Petersen, Elwood Petersen, Clyde Petersen and sisters and brothers-in-law Phyllis and Ward Gale, Norma and Ken Pittman, Martha and Gene Larson, Dewey Gaudette and Dave Bilderback, nieces Susan Petersen, Barbara Pittman and great nephew Luke Gaudette.
Survivors include her daughters: Mary (Dennis) Holland of Ooltewah, Tennessee – Ann (Brad) Schaeffer of Scottsburg, Indiana – and Julie (Jeff) Moore of Sullivan, Indiana. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Theresa (Luis) Rodriguez and daughter Lola Jo of Signal Mountain, Tennessee – Brad Kennedy of Chattanooga, Tennessee – Katy (Nathan) Holland and daughters Heidi and Harlow of Signal Mountain, Tennessee – Kyle Martyn and daughters Maggie and Lillie and son Kooper of Westfield, Indiana – Korey (Emily) Martyn of Arvada, Colorado – Alex Gregory of Terre Haute, Indiana – Mason Gregory of Indianapolis, Indiana – and Max Gregory of Sullivan, Indiana.
Elva is also survived by two sisters, Marvel Gaudette of Savage, Minnesota and her twin Elvera Bilderback of Savage, Minnesota, and several nieces and nephews.
A brief, graveside service for Elva will be held on November 18, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison, Indiana. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on the same date in Scottsburg, Indiana at the Owens Building (98 South Main Street) from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Please bring your favorite Elva and family memories to share. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Cremation Society of Indiana, 4115 Shelby Street
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