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Frances Isabel Young (nee McDermott)
Peacefully, after a long life well-lived, on Sunday, March 7, 2004, at the Lions Prairie Manor in Portage la Prairie, Frances Young passed away at the age of 96 years. Memorial Service will be held at Trinity United Church on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Ross Taylor officiating. Frances was predeceased by her parents Robert and Jessie Isabel McDermott, her sister Winnie, her brother Hugh, and in 1971 her beloved husband, Gardner William Young. She is survived by her loving daughters Anne Teghtmeyer and Wilma Shirriff, and son-in-law Bill Shirriff, all of Portage. She was proud of her grandchildren, Bill Teghtmeyer of Portage, Nancy Teghtmeyer of Calgary, Ken Shirriff (Kathryn) of Redwood City, California, and Anita Borger (Henry) of Winnipeg. Frances took delight in her great-granddaughters, Emma and Lillian Borger, and Sydney Shirriff. In-laws Vira Muir and Murray Young also survive her. Frances enjoyed keeping in touch with her extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins. Frances was born on September 25, 1907, at the Edwin area family farm. She attended Edwin School, and after high school in Portage la Prairie, trained as a registered nurse at the Portage General Hospital, graduating in 1932. Frances did private duty, and then spent a year as a hospital nurse in Montreal while living with an aunt and uncle. In 1934 she returned to Manitoba to marry Gard Young who farmed at High Bluff. Farm life during the Thirties was not easy, but Frances used her work ethic and nursing skills to serve family, church, and community. From playing the piano for Cochrane School Christmas concerts to being Superintendent of the High Bluff United Church Sunday School, she volunteered her time willingly. During the early years of Anne’s rheumatoid arthritis, Frances’ faith and her determination that Anne would be able to walk, were instrumental in Anne’s achieving this goal by the age of twelve. In 1950 the family moved to Portage la Prairie and Gard and Frances continued to farm from town. With seemingly endless energy, through the years Frances served as president of the Portage Presbyterial, Unit A of the Trinity UCW, Central Plains MS Society, the Portage Registered Nurses, Portage Nurses Alumnae, and the Women’s Arts Club. She taught St. John Ambulance classes, volunteered as a nurse at Red Cross blood donor clinics, and helped with other organizations including the Cancer Society. She was a member and trustee of Trinity United Church. Frances enjoyed music, poetry, reading, entertaining, and traveling. Above all, she was devoted to her family, both immediate and extended. Her relatives and many friends will remember her keen wit and sense of humour. She took pride in her Irish heritage and friends from her apartment days recall her shenanigans on March 17. After she moved to the Manor in 2000, she appreciated all that was done by the dedicated staff to make her life pleasant and comfortable. In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, memorial donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central Plains Chapter, 302 Saskatchewan Ave. E. Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or the Lions Prairie Manor Chapel Fund, 24 9th Street SE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3V4 , or Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1W7 would be gratefully appreciated. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Frances by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Trinity Myran
Friday, February 20, 2004 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Daughter of Evangeline and Chris, Sister of Triston Granddaughter of Connie and Garnet, Leona and Tommy, and Thomas and Germaine.
Pallbearers Keith Cameron,Troy Meeches, Raymond Meeches Jr. and Kevin Roulette
A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Trinity by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
William Charles Taylor
William Charles Taylor, 90, died peacefully on February 20, 2004 at the Lions Prairie Manor, Portage la Prairie with wife Joan at his side. Bill was born January 4, 1914 to Jean and George Taylor at Portage la Prairie and lived his entire life, save for the war years, in Portage. He attended the University of Manitoba and started his teaching career with the Portage School Division at Burnside (Rat Creek) at the age of eighteen. In 1935 he left Burnside to teach at Victoria School. In 1940 he moved to the Portage Collegiate, but not for long as World War II took 5 years of his life. He joined the 21st Field Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant, training in Gordon Head, B.C. and Brandon before going overseas in March 1942. In June 1942 he joined the 8th Field Regiment and headed for Italy. When the War ended in 1945 he was sent to London as Personnel Selection Officer where he remained until the winter of 1946. Returning to PCI, he taught Latin and Grades 10-12 Math. He remained in the local militia after the war, and was Chief Instructor of Cadets from 1952-59. He became Principal of PCI after the fire of May 26, 1954 that destroyed the old Collegiate, and remained in that position until his retirement in 1974. Bill served on the Parks Board and was treasurer of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, the Portage Country Club, and the Margaret Webster Scholarship Fund for many years. He was a charter member and first President of the Portage Lions Club in 1938, and was very proud of his life membership in the club. Bill kept himself busy in retirement with golf, gardening, hunting in the fall with Cart Thomas, and winter trips with Joan. Left to cherish the many memories of his life are Joan, his loving wife of fifty-six years, and son Andrew. Cremation has taken place. The Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Lions Prairie Manor Foundation Inc., 24 9th Street SE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3V4 or to a charity of choice. McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel are entrusted with the arrangements.
Herbert John Earhart
After a short battle with cancer Herbert John Earhart of MacGregor, of MacGregor MB entered into rest on Tuesday, February 17, 2004, at the Portage and District General Hospital, Portage la Prairie at the age of 65 years. Predeceased by his wife Florence Mary (nee Dolejsi) Earhart, Herbert leaves to mourn, his children Beverly Earhart of Surrey, BC, Herb Jr. (Maggie) Earhart of Port Moody, BC, Sheila (Robert) Seward of Nanaimo BC and Angel (Tom) Mordal of Ham Lake MN, USA; four grandchildren Ashleigh, Robbie, Olivia and Faith Mary; brother Ken (Cindy) Springfield ON; sisters Irene (Russ) Blue and Edna Andrews both of Ontario; many nieces and nephews; and special friends John and Anne Harder who were always there for Dad after the sudden death of Florence in 2001. Herbert worked at the Fraser Pulp Chips for 30 years. After he retired in 1996, he and Florence moved back to Manitoba and resided on the farm. Herbert was a hard worker and as well he enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on cars and had a great love for his dog and the horses. He was a very good dancer and loved country music. Herbert will be remembered for his teasing, always cracking jokes, his kindheartedness and always being there for family and friends when there was a need. Herbert was buried in the Beaver Cemetery, MacGregor and a reception in honor of Herbert John Earhart took place on Friday, February 20, 2004, 2:30 pm at the MacGregor Evangelical Mennonite Church. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Herbert’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200 - 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0K6 or Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Herbert by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who were entrusted with the arrangements.
Janet Elizabeth Conner
(nee Ritchie)
With her family at her side, Janet Conner, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2004 at the Lions Prairie Manor at the age of 82 years. She was predeceased by her beloved husband William Conner; parents Thomas and Clara Ritchie; brother William Ritchie and brother-in-law Lou Lamania. Left to mourn are her children Marianne (Bruce) Babiuk of Winnipeg, Brian (Betty) Conner of Oakbank and Bob Conner of Morden; with 4 grandchildren; three sisters Winnie (Earl) McDonald of Portage la Prairie, Mary (Fred) Altater of Calgary AB and Ethel (Lou) Lamania of Mount Royal NJ along with many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Janet was born and raised in Portage la Prairie living only a brief time near Wainwright AB in her early years. She attended both Victoria School and Portage Collegiate Institute. After her mother passed away, Janet helped her father to raise her brother and three sisters. She worked as a secretary at McDonald Air Force Base during the Second World War and then at Miller and Miller Law Office until her marriage to Bill in 1953. She later returned to work in the tax department at the Portage City Hall. Janet was a very energetic, hard working person. She enjoyed knitting, needlepoint, gardening and reading. Janet had a strong commitment to her extended family, always keeping up with her nieces and nephews activities. She was a very dedicated church member. In her early years she was a member of Trinity United Church. Later she was a member and taught Sunday School at McKenzie United Church and in her later years was active in the Church of Christ. She will be fondly remembered as a friendly person who always looked for the best in people. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday morning, February 10, 2004 at 10:30 am at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. Interment is to follow at Hillside Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Janet’s memory to Alzheimer Manitoba, 21 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8 or a charity of choice. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Janet by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Emma Christine Bohpa (nee Doota)
Opi Za Ta Waste Win “Bird That Opens Its Wing”
At her home on Dakota Plain Wahpeton Nation on February 6, 2004, Emma Bohpa, formerly of Sioux Valley, passed away at the age of 70 years. She was predeceased by her husband Wylie; parents John and Ruth Doota; daughter Joanne Bohpa and grandson Timothy Bohpa. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Sandra Smoke (Newman) of Brandon and Doris (Terry) McDonald of Portage la Prairie; grandchildren Jason Bohpa, Shannon Sandy, Pamela (Edward) Keeper, Megan Smoke (Chad), Bradley Smoke, Curtis Smoke, Ryan McDonald and Tyler McDonald; great grandchildren Jessica Bohpa, Joanie Bohpa, Twyla Bohpa, Jason Bohpa Jr., Shayanne Keeper and Gavin Johnson; sister Mary (Solomon) Hall of Sioux Valley MB; “adopted children” Val Smoke, Debbie Smoke, Laurene Smoke, Carol Beaulieu, Myrna Pashe, Phyllis Tecza, Joyce Myran, Lisa Myran, Lizzie Daniels, Annabel Smoke, Tina Smoke, Dan McKie, Vince Ostapowich, Brian McIvor and Ken Wettlaufer as well as her numerous nieces and nephews. Emma was everyone’s Mom or Kunsi. Emma enjoyed feeding people, playing bingo, watching hockey and football, doing puzzles and listening to music, especially Elvis Presley. She had a strong work ethic and was known for her keen sense of humor and quick wit. She loved and cherished all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews. She will be especially missed by her nephew Ron Hall. Over the years, Emma found much pleasure in visiting them all. She contributed to her community by being an elder on the Health Committee at Dakota Plains. Emma will be brought back to Sioux Valley at 11:00 am to the Veterans Memorial Hall on Tuesday, February 10, 2004. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm in the Veterans Memorial Hall at Sioux Valley with Reverend Dave Thiessen officiating. Interment is to follow in the Sioux Valley Catholic Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Emma’s memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 102 - 310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Emma by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Deborah Jane “Debbie” Meeches
“Coming Over The Hill Woman”
Our family would like to announce the passing of our mother, kookoo, sister and auntie Debbie Meeches. Debbie passed away on Friday, February, 6, 2004 at the Portage District General Hospital with her family at her side. Debbie leaves to mourn her daughters Fern Ann (Chris), Angela (Trinity) and Tanya; six grandchildren Cathline, Errol, Bradey, Colby, Elizabeth Jane and Shaden; siblings Vernon (Shawna), David (Geraldine), Timothy (Charlene), Lisa (Rob) and Fabian along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her daughter Chelsea, parents Edward and Elizabeth (nee Campbell) Meeches; siblings Larry Daniels, Faith Meeches and Curtis Campbell and Terry Meeches. Traditional Wake will be held on Monday, February 9, 2004 at 6:00 pm at the Long Plain Spirit Lodge, Long Plain First Nation. The Traditional Feast and Prayers will commence at 12 noon on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 with the Traditional Funeral Service to follow. Dave Courchene will be officiating. Interment will take place at Long Plain Cemetery. Our family would like to thank all the dedicated people who assisted Debbie during her illness with diabetes, especially those at the Dialysis Unit at the Portage District General Hospital. A special thanks to Nancy. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Debbie’s memory to Canadian Diabetes Association, 102 - 310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Debbie by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
