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GRUHN: Clara Celestine Marie passed away peacefully on May 30, 2007 at Souris District Health Centre. Mom was born August 22, 1926 on a dairy farm near Rosser, Manitoba to Arthur and Marie De Jonkheere. Mom was the youngest of 5 children. Mom attended Lilyfield country school and Daniel McIntyre in Winnipeg. In 1941 Mom and her parents moved to Winnipeg. Mom worked at Jeanne’s Bakery as well as Eaton’s. It was at the time she worked at Eaton’s that she met Dad, who also worked in the delivery department. Mom and Dad were married October 29, 1949. The next year, Norm was born and 3 years later, Ernie was born. In April, 1956, Dad left his job with the city of Winnipeg and started farming in the Minto area with Grandpa De Jonkheere. Later on that year, Mom moved out to the farm and Barb was born in Wawanesa. During our growing up years Mom milked cows, drove a school van and worked on the farm. Mom was also a school trustee. In 1965, Mom was stricken with spinal meningitis, which left her with severe hearing loss and mobility problems. She struggled with this until her death. In March, 1980, Dad passed away. Mom continued living on the farm until March, 2007 when she entered Souris Hospital. During her time on the farm, Mom always enjoyed her animals, especially her cats. Mom was predeceased by her husband, Ernie, grandson Bert, her parents, brother Velere, sisters Angele and Fanny. Mom is survived by her son, Norm (Lorna), their sons Jerry (Marcia) and Jeff (Jennifer), son Ernie (Mary) and children Rod, Sheena, Brock, Allie, Tori, Kaylee, Gillian, Little Ernie, Candace, Krystal, Christina and Damian, daughter, Barb(Bob Jay) and their children Devin (Chevanne), Mikaila and Ashley. She is also survived by great grandchildren, Shelby, Alexis and Brooke and her stepchildren Joyce, Don (Sharon), their son Derek (Lori) and children Kaelin, Ryleigh, Brooke and Clara’s sister Susan Lannoo. Funeral Service was held on June 4, 2007 at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, Brandon, Manitoba. Mona Franklin officiated. Pallbearers were Jerry Gruhn, Jeff Gruhn, Devin Bell, Rod Moir, Sheena Gruhn and Brock Gruhn. If friends wish, donations may be made to Souris Health Centre Palliative Care, Souris, Manitoba.
GRIFFIN: It is with great sadness to announce the peaceful passing of Florence Colleen (née Ducharme) surrounded by her family in the early morning of Tuesday March 20, 2007 on the Palliative Care Unit at the Assiniboine Center. Colleen was born on October 10,1943 to Florence Anne and Tony Ducharme in Brandon, MB. She grew up in the south end of Brandon graduating from St. Michael’s Academy. Colleen continued her education and graduated as a Psychiatric Nurse at the Brandon Mental Hospital. After graduating, she married Anthony Hugh Nelson (Tony) Griffin on Nov 26, 1966 at St. George’s Anglican Church in Brandon. Shortly there after, Colleen began her family and was blessed with 4 children; Suesan, Maria, Christopher and Darius. She continued nursing until 1974. In 1974, Colleen pursued a new career in the flower business in partnership with her husband Tony. There were long hours spent at the flower shop where many friends and memories were made. The restaurant business then beckoned and the Yukon Tea Room was established in the fall of 1989. Colleen became famous for her baking and cooking. Some of Colleen’s trademarks were quiche, buns, honey dill sauce, caesar dressing, dainty trays, nanaimo bar and chocolate cake, enjoyed by all. The tearoom was a stepping stone to their next foray into the restaurant business, a family collaboration incorporating Ember’s Restaurant and Griff’s Sports Lounge at the Brandon Rec Center. There were many memorable occasions created at the Embers and Griff’s that her family and her community will remember; such as the Ford World Curling Championship, the Canadian Summer Games 1997, along with many other events. Colleen was fortunate to be able to host 3 of her 4 children’s weddings at the Embers. Late in 1997, her illness forced her into an early retirement. Colleen spent many hours around the pool, visiting with friends and spending time with family. She loved to shop, she loved a good deal and she loved to roll the dice at the casino. The most important thing to Colleen was her family. She had an endless supply of love, patience, understanding and guidance for us all. Colleen is survived and will be sadly missed by her husband Tony; her four children, Suesan (LeMont) Edwards of Edmonton, AB, Maria (Amar) Boudehane, Christopher (Karin) Griffin, and Darius Griffin, all of Brandon, MB; grandchildren, Spencer, Emma, Alexandria and Kiera; brother W.A. (Bill) Ducharme of Winnipeg; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins. The memorial service will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. with The Rt. Rev. Jim Njegovan officiating. The Family would like to thank Dr. N. Butler for his compassion, understanding and assistance. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the outstanding care provided by the nurses and nurse’s aides of the Palliative Care Unit and the respiratory therapists over the last year of Colleen’s life. Donations in memory of Colleen may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Center, Palliative Care Unit, 150 McTavish Ave. East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 or the Manitoba Lung Association, 8-940 Princess Ave, Brandon, MB, R7A 0P6.
GILKES: William Alfred Gilkes aged 100, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, January 22nd 2007, at Dinsdale Personal Care Home. He was born on June 8th 1906 in Georgetown, British Guiana. Known to his many friends as 'Alfred', he was a former registered pharmacist and became the owner of Gilkes's Bourda Pharmacy, Georgetown, British Guiana in the '50s. He and his wife and family emigrated to England in 1960 where they settled for many years before moving to the USA during 1968 - 1984. Alfred was a Freemason and was made First Grand Principal of the Royal Arch Masons of England. From England he moved to California in 1985 where he worked at Loma Linda University Hospital until he retired. After his beloved wife Emma of 54 years, died, he moved to Canada where he lived with his daughter Marsha and her husband. Alfred, like his father, enjoyed travelling, and meeting new people, making many friends wherever he went. He loved outdoor activities and particularly swimming, golf and gardening. In Brandon, he played bridge, shuffleboard, scrabble and walked almost every day. He kept himself physically fit and at 99 years, he still made use of his exercise equipment at home, until he was no longer able to do so. He is survived by his sons, Gordon (Arna) and Michael (Joan); daughters Maureen Yates, Marsha (Aubrey Hardinge); eight grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Alfred was predeceased by his wife Emma and son-in-law Ronald. A Celebration of Alfred’s Life was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, on January 26, 2007 with Rev. Gary Jennings and Rev. Vern Kratz of Calvary Temple officiating. Interment at the Brandon Cemetery will take place at a later date. Donations in memory of Alfred may be made to a charity of choice.
GULICK: Anne Gulick, beloved wife of the Late Nickolas Gulick, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, on Monday, January 1, 2007. Anne was born October 1, 1929 in Edmonton, Alberta, then resided in Brandon, Manitoba for 69 years. Predeceased by her husband, Nickolas in 1995, Anne is survived by her son, Nickolas Gulick of Neepawa, daughter, Mrs R.M. (Julia) Brooking of Brandon, daughter, Mrs W. (Angela) Anderson of Brandon, son, Paul Gulick of Thompson, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Funeral service was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, on Friday, January 5, 2007. Interment followed in the Brandon Cemetery. Pallbearers were Curtis Citulsky, Norman Funk, Jim Cooper, Fred Roberts, Frank Roberts and Ron Henry. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB R7A 2W8.
GIESBRECHT: Mrs. Esther Giesbrecht passed away peacefully at her residence, Fairview Home, on Friday, September 12, 2008 at the age of 86 years. The Funeral Service will be held at the Grace Mennonite Church, 951-10th Street, on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ken Quiring officiating. Interment will take place at Thomson In The Park Cemetery, Winnipeg. Donations in memory of Esther may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9.
GOODMAN: Margaret E. Goodman died July 5, 2008. She had cancer but remained independent, active, and at home until a day before her death when she entered palliative care.
Margaret was born May 9, 1927 in Victoria Hospital, Winnipeg. She was the oldest of three children born to Sam and Mae Goodman of Wellwood, Manitoba. After receiving her early education at Wellwood Consolidated School, she graduated from Brandon College in 1949. Subsequently, she obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 1951, and her Masters of Social Work in 1955 at McGill University in Montreal. Years later, after she had begun her career she continued her studies doing post-graduate work at Tavistock Clinic in London, England in 1968.
Her career in social work began in 1951 with Children’s Aid Society of Haldimand-Norfolk, Ontario. In 1955, she began work at the Childrens’ Aid Society of Western Manitoba in Brandon where she worked until her retirement in 1985.
Her springs were spent in Victoria with flowers and friends; her summers at the cottage on Pelican Lake in southwestern Manitoba. While she had always traveled extensively, since her retirement her trips became more focused on destinations that would assist in her genealogical research. After 20 years of investigation, she worked diligently the last year to complete a rough draft of a book on the Aikenhead family line. This was her mother’s maiden name, which she traced back to an 1821 emigration from Lanark County in Scotland to Lanark County, Upper Canada, not far from Ottawa. The book is to be published posthumously.
Margaret leaves behind a large family of friends and relatives, including her sister Betty Shamanski of Wellwood and her children; Bob, Shelley (Ron Dickson), Larry (Gwen), Trevor (Arla), David, and Kevin (Kim); and her brother Reg Goodman of Summerside, P.E.I. and his children: Linda, Michael (Pat), Donna (Edwin Woodridge).
A Service of Remembrance was held for Marg at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on July 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Cathcart of Knox United Church officiating.
GILBERT: (A.J. Gilbert, April 27, 1968 – June 12, 2008). A.J. will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him. His family and friends will forever be better for having him in their lives. His loss will forever change the lives of his wife and children, Jesse and Sera.
A.J. dedicated his life to his family and especially his children whom he adored. Unfortunately there was no amount of love or joy that could overcome the torment he carried with him. A.J. suffered in silence as a true hero with visions of cruelty and war and unimaginable pain. Treated by the best of the best, A.J.’s passion was helping other military veterans find peace through therapy and support.
Please honour A.J.’s memory and the future of his children by praying and remembering the suffering of our armed forces, not only those who have fallen but those heroes who return to us forever changed. Do not blame him for the pain he has inflicted on you, be grateful and rejoice that he has finally found internal and eternal peace.
GRIFFITHS: Harold William (May 11, 1903 - Jan 18, 2009). Harold passed away at his residence, Hillcrest Place, Brandon on January 18, 2009 at the age of 105 years. Harold was born on May 11, 1903 in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England to parents Frank and Maria Griffiths. After leaving school at age 13, he worked for farmers in England. In 1920, he and his brother Richard immigrated to Canada arriving in Oak River, MB on April 17, 1920. For the next number of years he worked for farmers, eventually buying his own farm. In 1943, Harold married Gladys Helen Holmes. In 1966, Harold and Gladys retired to Brandon where he was able to continue playing the stock markets which he enjoyed. In 2006, they both moved to the Hillcrest Place Nursing Home. Harold is survived by his wife Gladys, his daughters Linda (Tony) Toews, Shirley Londry, his grandsons Doug Orr, Denis Londry and special niece, Jean (Tom) Bridgeman. The family would like to thank Hillcrest staff for their care and support of our husband and father. A Memorial Service will be held for Harold at the Oak River United Church on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Glenna Beauchamp officiating. Interment will follow at the Oak River Cemetery.
GULLETT: Bernice Anna Gullett (née Loewen) of Brandon, beloved wife of Jack Gullett, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the age of 74 years. Bernice was born on June 22, 1934 in Winkler, Manitoba. Bernice's parents moved to the Roseisle area when she was a year old. She attended school near there at Eldorado School from Grades 1-8. They moved again to Darlingford where Bernice finished her schooling. For the last two years of school, she worked as a housekeeper during the summer months for a family in Darlingford. After completing her grade 11, Bernice moved to Ninette where she took her training to be a Nurse's Aide. She worked at the sanatorium there for approximately 1 year. It was while working at the Ninette Sanatorium that she also met her future husband, Jack Gullett. They were married on November 11, 1952. They moved to Brandon where she continued nursing at the Brandon Sanatorium. Bernice had a kindness for people, a giving and generous heart with friends and family and she took great joy in her grandchildren. She was an avid gardener which was evident from her large yard, numerous flower beds and sizeable vegetable garden. She also got a lot out of the care and feeding of the birds that came to the yard. The population and variety grew steadily from year to year and at one point, she had as many as three types of woodpeckers alone as well as many other species. She will be sadly missed by friends and family alike. Everyone who knew her will have a different and unique memory of her and their relationship to her. Bernice is survived by her husband Jack Gullett, daughter Brenda (Louis) Phillips and granddaughter Teri (Jamie), daughter Marba (Kevin) Taylor, grandsons Irie and Kwali, granddaughter Kaya, daughter Dana Davis. Bernice is also survived by three sisters Beverly (George) Butcher, Dolores Battersby and Beryl (Don) Horning. She was predeceased by her parents Abram and Anne Loewen, brothers John and Peter and brother-in-law, Arthur Battersby. A memorial service was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. John Dolloff of St. Mary’s Anglican Church officiating. Urn bearers (Active and Honorary) were granddaughters Teri Phillips and Jamie Smith. The interment will take place at the Brandon Cemetery on June 22, 2009. More information will follow closer to that date. Memorial donations may be made in Bernice’s memory to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th Street East, Brandon, MB, R7A 7M6.
HELTEN: Clarence John, "Cracker," passed away peacefully Thursday, February 5, 2009 with his loving family at his side. He will be deeply missed by his daughters, Nora Gompf (Garnet), Doreen Schmidt (Ken), Margaret Derkach (Len), his 8 grandchildren, Tim (Judy), Tammy (Darcy), Trevor (Jodie), Alison (Ross), Ryan (Gillian), Jay, Travis, and Mark (Lisa) and his 12 great grandchildren; Kylie, Cady Anne, Tyson, Dylan, Mellisa, Jordan, Laramie, Cassidy, Bailey, Denver, Otello and Kennedy. Clarence was predeceased by his wife, Mathilda (Til), his father, Mathew, his mother, Katherine, and his three brothers, Arthur, Gregory, and Richard.
Clarence was born in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, USA on February 25,1919, the first of four boys to Mathew and Katherine Helten. His family moved to Canada and settled in the Gilbert Plains area of Manitoba. Later they moved to Pilger, Saskatchewan were he attended school and then set out to find employment. In 1942, he married the love of his life, Mathilda Bregenser (Til). Clarence was enlisted in the army and posted in Shilo, MB. After the war, he found employment with a Massey Harris machinery dealership in Brandon. In 1948, he moved to Oak Lake where he managed the Massey Harris dealership for a number of years. In 1954, he and Til built a B.A. service station, restaurant and machinery dealership. Some years later they sold the business and Clarence started an auto body shop. He could often be found in his shop fixing things from vehicles to toasters to bikes for anyone. He also drove a school bus and really enjoyed interacting with the school kids and their families. Clarence loved to hunt, fish, curl, golf and to beat anyone he could in a game of crib. He loved to entertain and he and Til opened their home, their cabin and their camper to many friends and family over the years. You never left their home hungry. Clarence loved his community too, and took great pride in doing his part for the community. He was an active member of the Lions Club, the golf club, the volunteer ambulance department and a long standing member of the local legion and veterans organization. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and they affectionately called him "POP." He followed their accomplishments in the classroom, in sports, music and work related activities. He especially enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips with his grandchildren and cheering the kids on in a hockey game at the rink or at a rodeo.
In retirement, Cracker and Til spent many winters in the southern states. Here he took up painting, and each of his family members have a picture that Pop painted for them. Clarence leaves us with many good memories. He was a man who embraced life and nothing was more special to him than his family.
He never backed away from hard work, good fun, or a beer and a chance to visit with a friend or family member. His philosophy was such that to every challenge there was an answer, all you had to do was to find the answer! As we say goodbye to him we acknowledge his friendly nature, his generosity, his family pride and his determination to live life to the fullest at all times. We know we will miss him but will remember him dearly as a good neighbour, friend, father and our "POP!"
The ceremony to celebrate Clarence's life was held on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 2.00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Virden, MB with Father Raju Madanu and Deacon Wilfred Barre officiating. Eulogy was read by son-in-law, Len Derkach. Special music was played by grandsons Jay Derkach and Ryan Schmidt.
Active pallbearers were his grandchildren; Tim Gompf, Tammy Hollingsworth, Trevor Gompf, Alison St-Jean, Ryan Schmidt, Jay Derkach, Travis Derkach, and Mark Derkach. Interment followed at the Oak Lake Cemetery, Veterans' Section. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Oak Lake Handi-Van or to a charity of your choice. Special "Thank You," To Dr. Peter Van Rensburg and to the nursing staff on the 4th floor of the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Your care and concern for dad was very much appreciated by all the family.
