Elsie Reorda and Jim Hagel

Elsie Irene Reorda, was born in Kelowna, B.C. on November 2, 1924, to parents Giovanni (John) Giuseppe Reorda and Caroline Maria Ryder.  She was the third of six children: Jack, Roy, Elsie, Mildred, Dorothy and Roland.

Her father, Giovanni, was born in Turin, Italy on September 25, 1881.  He left Italy, in early March of 1909, heading to the United States, seeking a better life.  He arrived at Ellis Island on March 12, 1909 and then made his way to Clealum, Washington where he met up with an uncle who had arrived there four years earlier.  Three years later, Giovanni moved to British Columbia. He arrived in Kelowna, in 1912, where he got a job pitching hay for John Casorso.  He served in the first World War, and returned to Kelowna in 1920. Shortly after he returned, he met and married Caroline Ryder. Caroline was born in London, England on February 2, 1898. She and her family arrived in Kelowna in 1912. Giovanni worked for the City of Kelowna for 31 years. Caroline was kept busy at home raising their six children.

Jim was born in the farming community of Beiseker, Alberta on April 10, 1921 to parents Peter and Anna Hagel. He grew up on the farm and at the age of 21, he enlisted in the Canadian Army. After four years in the army, he was discharged on February 14, 1946.  At some point after that, he made his way to Kelowna, B.C.
Elsie received her education at Kelowna Central Elementary and Kelowna High School. She worked at Shaw’s Candy Store and at a packinghouse.  Elsie met and fell in love with Matthias (Jim) Joseph Hagel, and they married on February 5, 1951.  They had three daughters: Donna, Shannon and Cheryl. They moved to the Rutland area in 1959, where they raised their family.  Jim did part time work until he found a full-time job at Chapman’s Transport (later called Motorways), where he worked until his retirement.  Elsie, was a full-time homemaker and enjoyed having coffee with neighbours and working in her flower garden. All three daughters married and have children and grandchildren of their own. 

Elsie lived her entire life in the Kelowna area. Her husband, Jim passed away on January 28, 2005 and Elsie passed away on November 6, 2019 at the age of 95. Both are interred at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery, as well as her parents, Giovanni and Caroline.

Contributed by Cheryl Hagel Tanaka, daughter