Ella Karlak Williamson

Ella was born at Kazan River, Nunavut, Canada on April 7, 1948. She was the daughter of Ootuk and Howmik. The government sent Ella to Winnipeg, Manitoba when she was deaf and eight years old. After a year or so, she transferred to Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She attended Jericho Hill School for the deaf in 1960. She learned to do sign language and how to talk with each other from classmates, friends and teachers. Ella's favorite sports were swimming teams, volleyball, roller skates, hiking and camping. She won a few ribbons when she raced and swam to win.

Ella graduated from Jericho Hill School for the deaf in May 1967. Sister Alice Hanjay introduced Ella to Full-time missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The missionaries taught Ella the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the missionaries baptized Ella at North Vancouver in September 1969. She met several hearing friends in 1970. She learned a lot about the true gospel and read the Book of Mormon. She had a few hearing friends from folk-dancing club. Johanna introduced Ella to a new friend, Prunella Barlow. The dancers and Ella wore their custumes for folk-dancing with the group for seven years. They enjoyed the dancing club. They had some delicious different foreign meals from other countries. Ella's aunt, Verna Walker and her uncle, George Neil were white. They took care of Ella when Ella grew up as an adult that time. Many years later, Verne Walker and George Neil passed away in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Ella learned many things from them. Ella's family and people used to live in Ennadai Lake, Nunavut, Canada since 1957. The government from Canada forced Ella's family and other families to move out to other lands. There were no caribou, fish, or other animals in the land. Ella's family and the other families and people were so starved for many days. Ella's father and her aunt fought for the food for their families. Her father and her uncle were murdered in Henik Lake. Her aunt dragged her children on a fur cloth when Ella's cousins walked to Padeli with their mother. When they arrived to the town, they told the special constables about her children and other families. The special constables flew and looked for Ella's aunt's children there. They found Ella's aunt's children behind the snow blocks, but one of the girls died from starvation or freezing/cold. They found Ella's family in the igloo. They were amazed to see Ella's family still alive. The special constables brought the girl and other families to Padeli. Ella's mother and Ella's aunt went to the court. The Judge Jack Sessions questioned Ella's mother and Ella's aunt with the jurors in the court. Jurors found Ella's aunt not guilty. Ella's mother and her aunt were released from prison.

Ella's mother was a queen of the tribe. Ella's father was a good shaman among the Inuits. Ella's young sister, Kooyah and Ella were princesses of the family. Ella's family had several huskies and fed them. Ella's siblings were born in the igloos that time. There were a lot of fish, caribou, and other animals to live on in Ennadai Lake. Ella's family used to go out to hunt the caribou in the land.

Ella graduated from Jericho Hill School for the deaf at Vancouver, BC Canada in May 1967.

She graduated from Vocation College at Vancouver in 1970. She worked for photofinishing labs for a few years. Ella met Roger Williamson at Vancouver Airport in 1973. Ella showed Roger around Vancouver City for a few days. Roger flew back home. Ella and Roger wrote as pen pals for two years. Roger got a new job in Seattle. Roger and Ella started dating for two years. Roger asked Ella to marry him. She accepted. Roger and Ella went to Cardston Alberta Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity on April fools day (April 1st) 1978. Ella moved to Seattle to be with her new husband. Ella got a new job as film cleaner at Alpha Cine at Seattle downtown and was there for 13 years. She lost that job. She found a new job as a film clerk at Lynx Medical System in Bellevue, Washington. She worked there for 10 years.

Roger and Ella loved to travel to different cities and states. Ella loved to give her presentation to the children and college students about her Eskimo/Inuit culture. They enjoyed her presentation. Ella taught at a few schools in Utah, and Idaho State University and Utah State University.

Ella was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1969. She served others by making many craft things. She served as a Family History missionary for 24 months in 2012. She served as a Temple Missionary for 18 months at the Logan, Utah Temple by doing laundry work. She served as a temple ordinance worker at the Logan Temple and Jordan River Temple and Seattle Temple for many years.

She will be buried in the North Logan Cemetery.

Ella is survived by her husband, Roger Williamson; her step brothers: Sam Arnarauyak and his wife, Gail; John Arnarauyak and his wife, Lucy; nieces and nephews and cousins.

Ella is preceded in death by her parents: Ootuk and Howmik; step-brother, Philip Otuk; Igyaka, Roseanne Otuk (Step-sister), Inoti, Kooyah, and nameless baby; Aunts and Uncles and cousins.

Services are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.