" I believe in the holiness of friendship,
knowing that my life is a tapestry, woven
from the silken threads of many beautiful
lives that have touched mine." So wrote
Elsie Hinehart on January 1, 1978 at age
95.
Horn Nov. 29, 1882, in Cincinnati Ohio,
the youngest of four children, Mrs. G. R.
Rinehart passed away at Cardston
Alberta Dec. 15. 1978. Spanning a period
of 96 years, her life was an example of
rising above difficult circumstances and
proving there is beauty in every stage of
life.
As a young woman, she earned a B. A.
degree at the University of Cincinnati
and became a teacher. Later at the state
University at Columbus, she attained her
Bachelor of Science degree. It was there
that she met her future husband. Rus
Rinehart. They were married more than
66 years.
In 1918, the Rineharts moved to a
ranch south of Cardston, within sight of
her beloved " Old Chief mountain, and
bordering on Montanna. The city girl who
loved people and savored happiness,
beauty and fun, now lived all the rigors,
hardship, and loneliness of the pioneer
Elsie Rinehart
A Legacy of Love
woman: Undaunted, she w< ; ed at
bettering her prairie environmei I.
Old Chief school was built in 1918-
1919. but after the first year no teacher
was available. Mrs. Rinehart was asked to
teach. Since she had a new baby, she
agreed only when the school equipment
was moved to a log house adjacent to the
Rinehart ranch home. Here, with the aid
of teen- age school girls, and a four year
old son she managed school and home
duties, often with the baby in the
classroom. When the school inspector
came, he reported it as the most informal
school he had ever seen, but doing first
class work.
To fulfill a need of an uplifting bond for
the lonely rural women, the Neighbor's
Club was formed in Mrs. Rinehart's
kitchen in 1948. Upon hearing about
Alberta Women's Institute's affiliation
with A. C. W. W., this club soon became
Old Chief W. I., with Mrs. Rinehart
serving some time as president. She
reached out and became District IV
correspondent to the Lethbridge Herald.
Her work with A. W. I, included help in
compiling the " Book of Ideas", and her
generositv in funding the publishing costs
with all moeny from sales going to A. W. I.
For her dedication to A. W. I, efforts, she
was awarded a life mejrioership in this
organization. Reaching out further, she
attended the A. C. W. W. conference in
Australia in 1962 at age 80, spending
nine weeks touring and visiting rural
groups there. No better ambassador could
have been sent.
Space does not allow me to tell of her
many other accomplishments, not of hei
involvement with eye banks through her
daughter Helen, nor her involvement with
youth groups such as the Campfire Girls.
Suffice to say that whereever she saw a
need, Mrs. Rinehart sought a solution.
She was dedicated to making a better
world. Even in death she carried through
this resolve. She donated her body so that
needed organs would be available tc
medicrne.
Mrs. Rinehart. loved people, flowers,
gardens, books, letter friends, family— she
loved life; and the way she lived it is an
inspiration to all whose lives touched
hers. She will be sadly missed but fondly
remembered.
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