Myrtle Sophia Ericson, 82, of 1118 First St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 22, 1998 at La Verendrye General Hospital here.
Myrtle was born in Fort Frances on June 27, 1915 to Martin and Johanna Wade.
On Aug. 7, 1934, she was united in marriage to Eric Ericson, with whom she had three daughters, Viola, Erna, and Alona. As a family they owned and operated Eric’s Lund for 17 years.
She later bore two sons, Paul and Murray.
Myrtle was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved to bake brown bread, paint pictures, and sew quilts for her many great-grandchildren.
She also enjoyed caring for her cats, flowers, and garden.
Myrtle was the last remaining member of the Wade family.
Myrtle was predeceased by her father, Martin Wade; her mother, Johanna Wade; one brother, Norman Wade; her sister, Jenny Dolk; and her other sister, Kjeldrid (Chickie) Ecklund.
Surviving are her daughters, Viola (Bill) Hautala of Thunder Bay, Ont., Erna (Andrew) Lapa of Kamloops, B.C., and Alona (Albert) Burger of Faust, Alta.; and her sons, Paul (Kelly) Ericson of Saskatoon, Sask., and Murray Ericson and friend, Lori Petrin, of Fort Frances.
Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one nephew, Raymond (Bride) Dolk of Fort Frances; and one niece, Judy Ecklund of Crozier.
Funeral services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998 at 1 p.m. Interment followed in Riverview cemetery in Fort Frances, Ont.
Visitation was held at Green Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998 from 7-9 p.m.
Pallbearers were Craig Richardson, Vaughn Richardson, Graham Ericson, Dennis Dolk, Richard Wihnan, and John Defranseco.
Honourary pallbearers were Alice Gustafson, Judy Ecklund, Ray Dolk, Bill Hautala, Andy Lapa, and Steve Buttner.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Ward of La Verendrye General Hospital, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7.
OLAV GUNDERSON
Olav Gunderson, 89, of 1120 Second St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Friday, Feb. 20, 1998 at Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances.
Olav was born in Sundane, Norway on March 4, 1908 to the late Gunnar and Gusta Gunderson. He was raised in Norway, then moved to Canada in 1929 and settled in Fort Frances. On March 27, 1934, Olav was united in marriage to Genevieve Johnson.
Olav was employed at the Bear’s Pass fisheries when he first arrived in Fort Frances, then moved on to J.A. Mathieu where he worked as a logger and then with Shevlin Clarke as a sawmill employee.
In 1941, he was employed by the local paper mill, where he worked as the landscaper in the spring and summer, and as a magazine loader in the winter. Olav was employed by the mill for 32 yeas until his retirement in 1973.
He enjoyed fishing, landscaping, and spending time at his cabins at Rocky Inlet and Bear’s Pass. He was an avid lover of the outdoors, especially the local lakes. Most of all, Olav loved his family, who were always first and foremost in his life.
He was predeceased by his sister, Chritina Lyso; and brothers, Hjalmar, Alf, and Magnus Gunderson.
Olav is survived by his loving wife of more than 63 years, Genevieve Gunderson of Fort Frances; two daughters, Betty and husband, Larry Fontana, of Fort Frances, and Glenda and husband, Ken Addley, of Sioux Lookout, Ont.; five grandchildren, Mark Fontana and wife Tina, of Fort Frances, David Fontana of Atikokan, Ont., Michelle and husband, Luc Beaulne, Richard Addley and wife, Pam, and Melissa and husband, Richard Roy, all of Sioux Lookout, Ont.; six great-grandchildren, Brooke, Nicole, and Tyler Fontana of Fort Frances, and Alexandre Beaulne, Jadelyn Beaulne, and Hunter Addley of Sioux Lookout; three brothers, Einar, Sugurd, and Hjalmare in Norway; and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, the United States, and Norway.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Paster Brian Keffer officiated, with interment in Riverview cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends visited one hour prior to the service.
Pallbearers were Mark Fontana, David Fontana, Richard Roy, Richard Addley, Glen Gunderson, and Douglas McCaig.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1105 Scott St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1J7, or to the charity of your choice.
CHESTER ISAIAH HUNTLEY
Chester Isaiah Huntley, 87, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Monday, Feb. 16, 1998 at La Verendrye General Hospital.
He was born Jan. 20, 1911 in Caron, Sask. to the late Isaiah and Ethel Huntley. Chester moved to the Rainy River District in 1933, and lived in the Bergland area until moving to Rainy River, Ont. in 1995.
In 1997, he moved to Fort Frances, where he had resided since.
Chester was predeceased by six sisters, Muriel Bylund, Florence Nixon, Bessie Bennett, Hazel Larson, Elsa Wrolstad, and Jean Lundquist; and by four brothers, Percy Huntley, Morris Huntley, Walter Huntley, and Frank Huntley.
He is survived by two brothers, Norman Huntley and wife, Shirley, and John (Jack) Huntley and wife, Irene, all of Fort Frances, Ont.; one sister, Gladys Armstrong of Rainy River, Ont.; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland, Ont. Carolyn Kreger will officiate, with interment in Bergland cemetery at a later date.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
DONALD MURRAY MCLEAN
Murray McLean, 56, of 270 Scott St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at his residence Sunday, Feb. 22, 1998.
He was born Feb. 3, 1942 in Devlin, Ont. to the late Arnold and Helen McLean. Murray had worked as a surveyor for the Department of Highways, the Town of Fort Frances, and later for George Armstrong Ltd.
On Sept. 2, 1967, Murray was united in marriage to Iris Wall.
He was a member of Guthrie United Church in Devlin, the Manitou Masonic Lodge #631 A.F. & A.M. in Emo, and an associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 in Fort Frances.
For enjoyment, Murray liked gardening, fishing, and hunting.
Murray is survived by Iris McLean of Fort Frances, Ont.; three daughters, Deborah McLean of Fort Frances, Ont., Charla and husband, Dennis Morrisseau, and Jennifer and husband, Shane Jourdain, all of Couchiching First Nation, Ont.; and eight grandchildren, Danielle, Sadie, Cheyenne, Faron, Marcella, Elizabeth, Erika, and Amber.
He also is survived by two brothers, Bill McLean and wife, Carole, and Robert McLean and wife, Emma, all of Devlin, Ont.; two sisters, Iris and husband, Ron Roy, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Penny DeGagne and fiance, Bob Fedoruk, of Fort Frances, Ont.; and by many nieces and nephews.
A private family funeral service will be held. Rev. Patrick Playfair will officiate, with interment in Devlin cemetery in Devlin.
Friends may visit Sunday from 7 until 9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home. A Masonic Lodge memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m.
Pallbearers will be his nephews, Dean McLean, Kevin McLean, Todd McLean, Jeff Gagne, Tyler Gagne, Craig Gagne, Mike Roy, and Mark Roy.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Guthrie United Church, c/o Box 186, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
JOSEPH ELMER WILSON
Joseph Elmer Wilson, 83, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Monday, March 2, 1998 at his residence.
Joe was born July 18, 1914 to the late William Wilson and Margaret Wilson (nee Watson). He was born and raised in the Fort Frances area.
On Nov. 28, 1934, Joe was united in marriage to Violet Ellen Peterson.
All his life he was a trapper, logger, and spent 36 years as a caretaker at Bonnieview Estates for J.A. Mathieu. In his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting, spending time at the cabin, fishing, and gardening.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Charlie and Osbert; and six sisters, Winnie, Ruby, Alice, Bertha, Mary, and Margaret.
Joe is survived by his wife of more than 63 years, Violet Wilson of Fort Frances, Ont.; three sons, Kenneth (Linda) of Fort Frances, Ont., Lynn (Betty) of Duncan, B.C., and Dale (Loretta) of Fort Frances, Ont.; five grandchildren, Angelia Gentile (Aggie) of Winnipeg, Man. Mark Wilson (Tanya) of Fort Frances, Ont., Craig Wilson of Gravenhurst, Ont., Landon Wilson of Duncan, B.C., and Terry Wilson of Edmonton, Alta.; two great-grandchildren, Lorenzo and Simon Gentile of Winnipeg, Man.; and brother, Raymond Wilson (Lill) of Thunder Bay, Ont.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 5, 1998 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Rev. Patrick Playfair officiated, with interment in Riverview cemetery in Fort Frances.
Pallbearers were Ken McKinnon, Harem Sieders, Phil Frazer, Mark Gerber, Ben Lindal, and Jim McKinnon.
Honourary pallbearers were Walter Hendricks, Derward Angus, Nick Mutz, Bill Mosbeck, Rick Barboni, and Bradley Barboni.
In memoriam donations may be made to Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3T2, or to the charity of your choice.
HAROLD HUBERT LUCAS
Harold Hubert Lucas, 78, of 425 Nelson St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully at La Verendrye hospital on Monday at 3:50 a.m. with his two daughters, Janet and Joan, at his side.
Harold was born Dec. 25, 1919 in St. John’s, Nfld., the first of five children born to Ernest and Beatrice Lucas. Harold married the love of his life, Helen D. Rowe, on May 20, 1941. They lived throughout several of the states and retired in Nestor Falls, Ont., later moving to Fort Frances.
He was a terrific father to five children, Harold (Lois) Lucas Jr. of Arizona, Claudia (Bob) Schmidt of Illinois, Janet Atwater of Minnesota, Ken (Betty) Lucas of Arkansas, and Joan (Harvey) Cottam of Nestor Falls; and grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of five (two deceased).
Harold was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Beatrice Lucas; and his beloved wife of 56 years, who passed away May 17, 1997. He is now reunited with her.
Harold was a pipe organ builder and built many organs in famous churches all over the United States. His father and brother, Ernest, also built pipe organs. He met many great people and had many good friends who will all miss him for his great detailed stories and a memory so intact.
He served 2 1/2 years overseas in WWII.
He will be missed for his beautiful woodworking and his writing of the stories of his life growing up, his love of food and cooking, and always willing to lend a helping hand when he was well enough. He took pride in his very organized workshop, and had a great love for each and everyone of his tools.
In his earlier days, he enjoyed fishing and camping.
A private family and close friends burial service will be held in the spring in Nestor Falls, Ont. Memorial donations can be made to the Heart Foundation.
Our Dad
You tried so hard to stay with us, but we saw you getting tired,
It’s time for you to rest and be once again with the loved ones who left before you.
We will be okay and there will never be a day we won’t think of the love and stability you gave us in our lives. You were there for us right up to the very last breath you took, and we are forever grateful for having such a loving father, and a loving husband to our mother.
Instead of having one guardian angel to watch over us now, we have two.
We will all be together again someday, until then we love you and miss you.
Love, your children
CARL WESLEY WILLIAM KOCUIBA
Carl Wesley William Kocuiba, 21, of 917 Victoria Ave. N., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away as a result of an accident on Monday, March 16, 1998 at Port Arthur General Hospital.
He was born May 1, 1976 in Fort France, and had lived all his life here.
Carl was proud to be working at Voyageur Panel with his team members, and was known as a hard worker with a big heart. He enjoyed outdoor sports, including hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and camping. He was fun-loving and liked to spend time with his friends.
He also was an avid country music fan. One of his great loves was his family get-togethers.
Carl is survived by his parents, Carl J. and Violet Kocuiba; and his sister, Crystal, and brother, Shaun, all of Fort Frances. Also surviving are his great-grandmother Violet Armstrong of Fort Frances, Ont.; his special friend, Jennifer Katona of Fort Frances; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his grandparents, Nellie and William Kocuiba, and Ruby and Wesley Armstrong; and his uncle, Bradley Armstrong.
Memorial services will be held Friday, March 20, 1998 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home with Rev. Diane Clifford officiating.
Honourary pallbearers will be Greg Beazley, Chris Bodnar, Willie Johnson, Devon Scott, Jim Shute, Mike Shute, Ryan Smith, and Peter Spuzak Jr.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Corey Gosselin Fund, c/o the Royal Bank, 343 Scott St., Box 754, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M1, or the charity of your choice.
