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Arthur Meeches
Peacefully and surrounded by love, Arthur Meeches of Long Plain passed away at the age of 70 years at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre on Sunday, December 7, 2003. Arthur was born February 19, 1933 at Long Plain to the late Archie and Jean Meeches. He attended the Indian Residential School in Brandon, Manitoba and later graduated from the Red River Community College in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Arthur signed up for military service. He served in Korea from 1951 to 1952 with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry’s Air Borne Unit. He was honourably discharged as a private in 1954. Because of his participation in the war, he was asked to teach survival training to high school students and cadets in Portage, Winnipeg and B.C. from 1962-1963. He then spent 5 years working for the Department of Indian Affairs (The Pas District). He was the first aboriginal to work as an Indian Agent in Manitoba. He held many and varied positions in his life’s employment. Most noted as a bookkeeper. He was fortunate enough to have worked as a Band Administrator for both Long Plain and Dakota Plains. “Uncle Art” as he was often called was known for his generosity and good humor. He spent many hours looking after his yard and doing odd jobs. He was predeceased by parents Archie and Jean; his siblings Louisa, Robert, Edward and Gilbert; his wife Dorothy; daughters (baby girl) Mildred, Mavis and Janice and grandson Nathaniel. Left to mourn his passing are sister Daisy, brother Wallace (Evelyn); his children Robert, Cynthia, Brent (Tina), Jamie (Lesley) and Cathy-Kit-Kat. Also his second wife Brenda Myran mother of his children Carolyn (Jason), Naomi, and Amanda (Farrell). He was the grandfather of 17 and the great grandfather of 2. He will be missed by many friends and relatives. Wake will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at Long Plain Spirit Lodge at 6 pm with the Funeral Service on Friday, December 12 , 2003 at 1:30 pm. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Art by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Patrick "Pat" Edward Beaulieu
On December 7, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer, Pat Beaulieu passed away at the age of 70 with his family and friends at his side. Prayers will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, 56 Royal Road S., Portage la Prairie at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2003. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, 1125 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie with Celebrant Father Michael Wollbaum. Loving husband of Lea for 47 years and beloved father of Diane Beaulieu-Minary (Scott) and Paul (Sandi). Cherished grandfather to Jean-Luc Beaulieu and Alexa and Karisa Minary. Also survived by his sisters Hermance, Lilianne, Lina and Yvette (Gille). Predeceased by his parents Alphonse and Marie-Ange Beaulieu, sister Antonia and brothers Leopold, Albert, Leonard and Armand. Born in St. Quentin, New Brunswick December of 1932 -he was the 7th of 10 children. Pat left New Brunswick at age 17 travelling across the country to eventually settle in Manitoba. In 1955 Pat met his future wife Lea Gour whom he married in 1956. They moved to Churchill where Pat worked for Transair as a mechanic and flight engineer. In early 1962 Pat and Lea moved to Winnipeg and soon after welcomed their daughter Diane. Pat and Lea eventually moved to Portage la Prairie in 1963 and Pat set up Pat's Aviation at the flying club. He enjoyed repairing and flying small aircraft during this time. In 1969, Pat and Lea welcomed their son Paul into the world. Pat continued to operate the aircraft repair shop for 15 years until 1977, when he opened a welding shop on Saskatchewan Avenue which eventually became Pat's Yamaha. They successfully operated Pat's Yamaha for 25 years until their retirement in November of 2002. Fortunately, prior to retirement, Pat and Lea had the opportunity to travel extensively from Europe to Japan. Pat was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Good Shepherd Parish. Pat made a lasting impression with everyone he met. He was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by his family. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Pat's memory to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8, or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Portage Office, c/o Catherine Newham, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7 or Good Shepherd Parish Building Fund, 115 Countess Ave., Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 0T2. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Pat by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Grace Ann Palendat (nee Moore)
With her family at her side, Grace Ann Palendat passed away on Saturday, December 06, 2003 at the age of 69 years. Predeceased by her husband Camille and parents Ernest and Hilda Moore, Grace will be lovingly remembered by her husband Ray Edwards; daughter Debbie with grandchildren Donnalee and Chris; son Danny (Samantha) with grandchildren Tessa and Sophia; daughter Wendy with grandson Cole; son Donald (Kim) with grandsons Bruce and Jeffrey; and daughter Cynthia. She will also be remembered by her sisters Helen (Mickey) Bloos of Regina Sask and Marylou (Harvey) Anderson of Surrey BC and brother Les (Pat) Moore of Regina Sask along with nieces and nephews and their families. Grace was born on November 9, 1934 in Redvers Saskatchewan. She was a natural caregiver and shared this gift raising her five children and with others vocationally. Grace enjoyed numerous recreational activities such as bowling, clogging, golfing and bingo. and found creative expression through crocheting, ceramics, drawing and music. She loved wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona and was proud to be a snowbird and a member of the Can/Am golfers group. Grace will be missed for her candidness and warm sense of humor. Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 12, 2003 at 1:30 pm at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel with Wilma Shirriff officiating. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Grace’s memory to Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2B7 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 Grace by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
John “Jack” William Graefer
Jack was born in Morden, MB on Nov.13, 1927 and passed away suddenly on Nov. 28, 2003 at the age of 76 in Portage la Prairie, MB. Jack is survived by his loving wife Pearl of 52 years and children Jo-Ann, Robert (Pat) and Sandra (David), grandchildren Tanya (Grant), James (Ashley), Benji, Christy, Justin, Michael, Blake and Graham, great grandchildren Keegan and Max. Jack is survived by his sister Margaret of Winkler, MB and brother Robert (Anne) of Forestburg, AB and many special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents William and Gladys Graefer of Winkler, MB and brother Gordon of Regina. Jack was employed in Winkler at Prairie Canners and International Harvester. He was a dedicated employee of Campbell Soup in Portage la Prairie, MB from the opening of the plant until it closed, over thirty years. While Jack was employed by Campbell Soup, he was sent to Iran to train officials on safe canning procedures. Jack enjoyed traveling with family and friends, fishing, visiting the cottage, playing cards and especially spending time with his great grandchildren. Jack was always eager to lend a helping hand to those who needed it. Funeral Service for Jack Graefer will take place at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Portage la Prairie, Monday December 1, 2003 at 1:30 pm. Pastor John Blum to led the service. Kevin Doell and Eva Korfman will sing the special music and the congregational hymns will be “How Great Thou Art”, “I Come to the Garden” and “Amazing Grace” with Eva Korfman presiding at the organ. The ushers are Terry Doell and Kevin Doell. The pallbearers will be David Boucha, Ray Doell, James Fries, Justin Graefer, Benjie Klassen and Grant Tenant. Family and friends are to gather together for the reception in the church’s lower Auditorium served by the members of the Redeemer Lutheran Church. Cremation will follow the service and a private family interment will take place at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 20-12th St. NW, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2S6 or a charity of one’s choice. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Jack by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Mary Helen Kirkwood (nee Dutson) ]
Peacefully at Douglas Campbell Lodge, Mary Helen Kirkwood passed away on November 23, 2003 at the age of six days short of her 95 birthday. Predeceased by her husband Lorne, three brothers James, Ernest and Gwynne Dutson and sisters Margaret Durnin, Nora Robb and Frances Forsythe, she is survived by sister-in-law Win Dutson and many nieces and nephews. Mary was born the eldest daughter of Gwynne and Ethel Dutson and was raised in the Portage area. In 1941 she married Lorne Kirkwood who predeceased her in 1946. Mary spent many years as a Manitoba telephone employee and retired in 1973. Mary was an active member of Trinity United Church in the UCW and the Ruth Rebekah Lodge for over 40 years and was a past noble grand. She enjoyed her many years of residence both in the Oddfellows Towers and later with her friends in the community of Douglas Campbell Lodge. Funeral Service will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 2:00 pm on Thursday, November 27, 2003 with Rev. Ross Taylor officiating. Interment is to follow at Hillside Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Portage Office, c/o Catherine Newham, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7 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 Mary by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Thomas Robert Fender
On Thursday, November 20, 2003 at the Portage District General Hospital Thomas Robert Fender passed away at the age of 69 years. Predeceased by his first wife Jean in April 1974, father Robert in 1958 and mother Minnie in 1979, Tom will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife Doris of Portage, sister Miriam (Murrey) Mitchell of Hamilton Ontario, several nephews and nieces and their families, extended family, Ruth Reid and a few other close friends. Tom worked for 18 years at Agassiz Youth Centre until ill health forced him to retire. He was a home body enjoying gardening, his pets and visiting close neighbors. We never lose the one we love For even when he’s gone Within the hearts of those who care His memory lingers on. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Sunday evening, November 23, 2003 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 24, 2003 at 11:00 am at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel with The Rev. Norman Collier officiating. Interment is to follow at Hillside Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Portage Office, c/o Catherine Newham, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7 or Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1P6. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Tom by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements.
Martha Elizabeth Minton (nee Rawlings)
Peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2003 at the Portage District General Hospital, Martha Elizabeth Minton passed away at the age of 90 years.
She was predeceased by her husband William, son Ronald, daughter Vivian Morton, brothers William, Ernest (infant), George, Oswald (Bud), Raymond, Reginald and Arthur and sisters Viola and Edith. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons William (Marjorie) of Amaranth, Arthur (Helen) of Riding Mountain and Phillip (Leanne) of Jasper Alberta, daughter Elizabeth (Bruce) Caron of Winnipeg, son-in-law Robert Morton of Winnipeg, 9 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 8step great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. She will also be remembered by her sister Emily Mayor, sister-in-law Betty Rawlings and numerous nieces and nephews.
In keeping with her wishes, there will be a Graveside service held on Friday, November 21, 2003 at 2:00 pm at St. Anne's Cemetery, Poplar Point with The Rev. Brad Elliott officiating.
As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Martha’s memory to Research with Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2B7
A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Martha by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements. 857-4021
