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Aron Hiebert
On July 9th, 2009 Aron Hiebert age 83, passed away at the Portage General Hospital. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Trudy (nee Penner); four children Alvin (Phyllis), Irene (Dave), Don (Agatha) and Leona (Fiancé Don); 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren who were very important to him and never failed to put a smile on his face. He is also survived by 4 brothers and 1 sister and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Abram N. and Maria Hiebert and 1 sister.
Dad was born in Gretna, MB on February 16, 1926. He was baptized upon confession of faith in Rudnerweide Church in southern Manitoba. He married Mom on November 4, 1952 and shortly after they moved to Edmonton where Dad worked in the oil fields. He divided his working years between farming and trucking. Dad hauled gravel for many years after they moved to Portage. In 1968 they moved to Katrime where they bought a farm and resided until they retired. Dad loved to farm and worked hard at it AND expected the same from the rest of us.
Dad had a great sense of humour and when he was in a story telling mood he would entertain us with tales of his youth. He along with many other young men looking for work travelled to Alberta, sleeping under railroad bridges and working jobs just for food.
In the early 70’s Dad developed a cancerous lesion on his lip. This did not set him back much, but years later he developed colon cancer and then was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In March 2006 he had a lung removed because of cancer. One year after surgery the doctor saw a spot on his remaining lung.
He had many physical boundaries and pain-filled days. He went through numerous chemo and radiation treatment, and on days when the pain from this would let up, the Parkinson’s would take over. The severity of the involuntary movements and pain associated with them was increasing as the months and years went by. Mom and Dad were often house bound because Dad was having a “Bad Parkinson’s Day”. It slowly but definitely took control of his body, taking away his strength, his balance and walking, and finally his speech and ability to swallow food. Even on his bad days he was interested in what the boys were working on in the shop and how things were on the farm. Trucks and farming was a common bond between Dad and his boys.
On November 17, 2008 a feeding tube was inserted into his stomach because the Parkinson’s had caused swallowing problems. Through all of this, Mom lovingly provided most of Dad’s daily care and feeding, in the good and the bad days.
Dad loved:
~ Watching hockey and baseball games
~ Driving around the fields on Sunday afternoon to look at the crops
~ Chasing grandchildren and later great grandchildren around the circle of rooms at the Katrime house – a tradition which he carried on after they moved back to Park Drive in MacGregor
~ Telling stories about his youth
~ To help out his kids whenever he could, for as long as he physically could
~ The music of the Janzen Musical Strings, and the Chuckwagon Gang
~ And…Mom’s Saturday night pizza
There are many things that we have omitted simply because it would take too long to express them. There is no way you can condense 83 years into two simple pages. He loved his family, he worked hard and he loved the Lord. His favourite Bible passage was the 23rd Psalm.
On June 2nd he was admitted to hospital for the last time. For 5 ½ weeks we watched as he struggled. He went to be with his Lord and Saviour at 11:30 pm on Thursday evening. “He fought the good fight and finished the course…”
Although we will miss him very much, we know that he is pain free and in a better place and we have the assurance that we will meet him again in Heaven one day.
Before Dad went to the hospital there were many evenings it was just the two of them at home. One night when Dad couldn’t talk to Mom he wrote…
“I love you…and with that I’ll say goodnight”
So it is with these thoughts that we along with our Mom would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who visited, brought food, flowers and friendship and also for the love and prayer support offered up on our behalf. Thank you to Pastor Victor and Pastor Myron for the love and concern shown to us. Thank you to the ladies group for your work and thoughtfulness, to Dad’s Home Care Staff who took really good care of him and to the many others we can not name individually.
Thank you all for coming and sharing this day with us. The Family
Viewing was held on Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 5-7 pm at Clarke's Funeral Chapel in MacGregor. Funeral Service was held on Monday, July 13, 2009 at 2:00 pm in the MacGregor EM Church with Pastor Victor Funk and Pastor Myron Friesen officiating.
Clarke's Funeral Home, MacGregor in care of arrangements.
Marie Olga Richard
Passed away on Friday, July 10, 2009 in Portage la Prairie, MB at the age of 61 years.
Olga was born and raised in Sandy Bay. She leaves to mourn her passing her children Riley (Heather) of Sandy Bay, Lawrence of Lakeman First Nation, Beverly (Lawrence) of Lakeman First Nation, Norman (Mavis) of Lakeman First Nation, Nancy (Victor Sr.) of Sandy Bay and Conrad (Jolie) of Sandy Bay. She also leaves those she raised as her grandchildren Bobby (Vicki) of Lakeman First Nation, Bradley (Cynthia) of Sandy Bay and Laurent of Sandy Bay as well as 23 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brothers and sisters Delvina Spence, Florina Levasseur, John (Theresa), Norman (Dorothy), Charlie (Betty), Johnny (Marylouise), David and Norbert. Olga was predeceased by her parents Lawrence and Priscilla; brother William and her child Sheri.
Wake began Monday, July 13, 2009 at 7 pm at the Sandy Bay First Nation Complex. Feast will begin at the Complex on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 12 pm. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Our Lady Of Angels Catholic Church in Amaranth with Father Roy George Vazhaplankudiyil officiating.
Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.
Christine Roulette
Christine Roulette, age 60 of Sandy Bay First Nation, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2009 at the Portage General Hospital.
Family:
1960’s Oldest Son First Born Calvin (Berrodine)
2nd Oldest Daughter Jaqueline (Ron)
1970’s Wilbert Jr. (Willy)
Baby (D) – 1973
Melissa (Pierre) 1980’s
Last Baby Arvel (Ernest)
Grandchildren:
Girls ~ Renee, Nayirah, Jenis, Demitria, Janine and Candace Boys ~ Blaine, Nathaniel (Tan), Dimitri, Duane, Jovin, Lawrence and Wilbert
Christine was predeceased by her Father Louis Roulette; Mother Christine Houle; Brother Percy Roulette; Sister Adele McIvor; Baby Unknown and Common-law Husband Joseph Wilbert Sutherland whom she met in 1966 and lived with from 1967 – 2008.
Wake will begin Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at the family residence in Sandy Bay First Nation at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Our Lady Of Angels Catholic Church in Amaranth with Father Roy George Vazhaplankudiyil officiating.
Clarke’s Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.
Alice Eileen Winnifred Bodnarchuk
Alice Eileen Winnifred was born on November 15, 1924, the youngest daughter of Robert & Olive Edgar. Right from the get-go, according to her older sister Catherine, Alice was a sweet young girl with an infectious smile. She received her education at Melvin School, and as a young woman started a short career as a nurse’s aide at the Ninette Sanatorium. She absolutely loved caring for her patients. However, it was one particular patient whom she gave extra special care & attention to – the true love of her life – Walter.
Walter & Alice were married on April 18, 1948 in Brandon. They returned from their honeymoon and took up residence at the Edgar family farm with her parents. A short time later, her parents moved into Austin.
Alice centered her entire life around her family – loving and caring for them. Alice & Walter were blessed with over 59 years of marriage. Alice was a very much beloved mother to Donna and Doug. Her down the road neighbours, the Peck girls were very much part of her life.
Alice enjoyed every aspect of farm life – raising chickens, baking, gardening, canning, preparing meals during seeding & harvest time.
Alice also enjoyed serving on various committees; North Norfolk Archives, Austin U.C.W., Museum Ladies Auxiliary & was a member of the Austin United Church.
Walter & Alice were tremendous hosts. They always made anyone who walked in the door feel welcome in their home. When you sat down at their kitchen table, you knew a feast would be served. Alice was most comfortable serving meals and tea in her home. It took a lot of talking before Alice would consent to having a picnic – eating with flies was not her idea of a good time! She took great pleasure in writing letters & sending greeting cards to many folk. On their calendar on the wall, there seemed to be a “special occasion” for someone out there, everyday.
Becoming a grandmother was one of her greatest joys – teaching her grandchildren to bake, having tea parties with them, always having homemade colored play dough on hand, taking a genuine interest and attending all their school activities & events, taking them on road trips to the Peace Gardens, the Festival of Nations & Gimli, just to name a few.
Due to health reasons, Alice moved into Third Crossing Manor on July 18, 2003.Walter was very dedicated and faithful in spending time with her during her stay. They enjoyed the social events together which included attending church services, shooting rubber ducks, teas and bake sales, birthday parties, Mexican days and listening to musical groups.
When Walter passed away in February, 2008, she longed to be reunited with him.
Alice passed away peacefully the night of July 19, 2009 with Donna and Doug by her side. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Donna and her husband Terry, Doug and his wife Shannon; grandchildren Chad, Tannis (fiancé Bobby), Melanie and great grandson Kayden; sister Catherine (Almer) and sister-in-law Mary; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jerry and Phyllis and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service to celebrate Alice’s life was held on July 24, 2009 at the MacGregor United Church with Rev. Quentin Robinson officiating. Shannon Bodnarchuk gave the eulogy. Bev Wolfe presided at the organ. Hymn selections were “In the Garden”, “Abide with Me”, and “The Lord’s Prayer”. Special music was “Because You Loved Me” and “Let There Be Love”. Ushers were Marge McMillan & Donella Thiessen. Pallbearers were John Thiessen, Jerry Doucette, Brad Williams, Bill Bodner, Jim Hanna & Robert Bryce. A private family interment took place at the Austin Cemetery. A time of refreshments & fellowship followed at the Austin Community Hall.
If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Central Plains Cancer Care Service, 318 Saskatchewan Ave.E, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 0KB.
Clarke’s Funeral Home, MacGregor in care of arrangements.
Katharina (Tina) Unger
“I was born June 1, 1923 on a farm near New Bothwell to Elizabeth and Cornelius Giesbrecht. It was here that I received some of my schooling. Later we moved to a farm near Steinbach. It was here that I met my “Special Friend” Daniel Unger. I realized I needed more in my life and with God’s Grace and Mercy he reached down and touched me. In faith I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and in His terms I became a Child of God. I was baptized upon confession of faith in the Seine River east of Steinbach.”
Mom and Dad were married November 26, 1944 and began their lifetime farming journey in the Austin area. They lived there till the fall of 2008 and celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Over the years Mom did a lot of volunteering in the community and in her local church. She enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher as well as treasurer. She loved doing “object lessons”. She would have the most creative ideas, even if it meant taking an empty Kleenex box and putting a brick into it to resemble a building structure. She loved volunteering at the MCC centre as a clerk. During the days of the Austin Threshermen’s Reunion, she would volunteer 4 days to sit as a house guest at some of the houses. She loved to visit with all sorts of people. Mom was also involved with the Red Cross for many years.
Mom kept the home fires burning. She was a “hard worker”. She would help stook bales, prepare meals, have a garden and do whatever it took to maintain the household. She had a “Heart of Gold”. She put her friends and family first before herself.
Mom was predeceased by her parents Elizabeth and Cornelius Giesbrecht; two sisters Anna and Elizabeth; one sister in law Elizabeth Friesen and two brothers in law Cornelius Unger and Ben Unger.
Tina is survived by her loving husband Dan; two sisters in law Mary Roos and Winnie Dyck; two brothers in law Dave Unger and Victor Unger; two children George (Shirley) Unger and Don (Vera) Voodre; granddaughters Gwendolyn (Bruce) Reimer and Shawna (Chad) Neufeld; and three beautiful great grandchildren Vanessa, Gregory and Regan Reimer. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a very special couple Dave and Madelaine Wall of Deloraine. Being together as a family brought Mom the greatest joy. She looked forward to Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.
In closing Mom had written a letter to Dad: “Dear Dan, If I should leave you first, you should know that the Good Lord took me home to be with Him. Don’t be angry at God, for He Knew what was best for me and you. The same goes for my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughter in law, son in law and grandsons in law.”
Some of the obituary was written by Mom herself.
Funeral Service was held on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the Austin Evangelical Fellowship Church in Austin, Manitoba with Pastor Colin Bell and Pastor Gordon Brown officiating. Pallbearers were Fred Amann, Bruce Reimer, Tony Hiebert, Chad Neufeld, Brad Dreidger and Willie Reimer. Interment took place in the Austin Sommerfeld Cemetery.
Clarke’s Funeral Home, Gladstone ~ MacGregor in care of arrangements.
Emil John Petrowski
On July 21, 2009 Emil John Petrowski passed away at his residence at Glenella, Manitoba as the result of a tragic farming accident.
Our Dad was born on August 20, 1949 to Mike and Anna Petrowski at Ste Rose Hospital. He started his grade one in the Old Glenella School which is now the Senior Centre while living with his grandparents. When Leonard began school they went to the Goodland School but soon went back to Glenella and then to Lucania and finally back to Glenella once more. Until he went to school he spoke only Ukrainian. At an early age he tasted the love of farming and the farm became his life. He enjoyed all that pertained to the farm whether it was clearing land, seeing the new crop grow and the hay rolled up for winter feed or the new crop of calves. In his early years he worked at odd jobs, hauling kids to school, working at manufacturing rafters, painting and shingling, brushing and until the last short while dug graves – whatever brought in extra cash to get himself established as well as working the home farm with his parents.
On November 9, 1974 Dad married our Mom Amanda Hiller and together set out on their own farm just 1 ½ miles from the home where he had grown up. The loss of the sight of one eye due to a farming mishap shortly after caused him a great deal of grief and frustration throughout the rest of his life. In spite of his hardship he continued on with the life he loved. Dad’s main interest was farming and if you ever talked to him you’d know he cold talk farming for hours. In earlier years he enjoyed a good rip on his skidoo or motorbike, Dodge Charger and later the Quad. He enjoyed socializing with anyone who took the time to stop. His love of hunting and trapping has been passed down to his children and was affectionately called “the chief” by his fellow hunters.
We remember how he enjoyed going for a drive to check the crops or just check out what was going on in the neighbourhood and would usually invite whoever was at home to go along. It was something all the family enjoyed even if all 7 of us were piled in the cab of the half-ton.
Picking morels and sucker fishing in the early spring were things he looked forward to.
Dad had a heart of gold when it came to helping anyone who needed a hand – sometimes to the point of leaving something undone for his own family. He would have done anything for anyone.
He was predeceased by an infant sister Rosemarie in 1952; father Michael in 1989; mother Anna in 1993 and one Aunt Katie Terrick.
He leaves to mourn his sudden death his wife Amanda and their 5 children Orest (Amber) and soon to be born 7th grandchild; Jocelyn (Ian) Cottingham and their children Levi, Sienna and Deklan; Chantelle (Dean) Zamonsky and daughter Anna; Dustin and fiancé Ciji and children Tyla and Carson; and daughter Tiffany; brother Leonard and his son James; one uncle and aunt Nick and Erma Petrowski; along with several cousins, many friends and neighbors.
A private family viewing took place on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 7 pm at Clarke's Funeral Chapel in Gladstone. Funeral Service was held on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Glenella Community Hall with Father Emil Kardasenic officiating. Pallbearers were Don Boxall, John Batyski, Dave Onischuk, Lawrence Marino, Lorence Steeg and Larry Muzyka. Interment took place in the Sunville Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Neepawa Hospital Memorial Fund or to a charity of one's choice.
Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.
