Mike passed away unexpectedly Monday, Feb. 2, 1998.
Born in Prelate, Sask. on Sept. 17, 1921, he was raised in the Port Reeve, Sask. area. After serving with the 8th Army during WWII, Mike moved to Fort Frances in 1946. He married Marvel Emma Amorde in 1949.
Mike was predeceased by his oldest son, "Scoop" (Mike Jr.) in January, 1985; his parents, Dakala and Michael; sisters, Teresa, Mary, Annie, and Margaret; brother, George, and in-laws, Clara and Emil Amorde.
Mike is survived by his wife, Marvel; sons, Lynn (Hilde) and children, Dyanna and Erika, Bill (Trudy) and children, Sarah and Michael, Emil (Margot) and son, Steven, Peter (Lisa) and children Alec and Gavin, and Doug; daughters, Toni, and son, Cory, and Teresa (Dale) and children, Alex and Emma; sisters, Rose, Barbara, Katherine, and Dackla; and brother, Daye.
Dad was employed locally by the CNR for 22 years, followed by 25 years with the Fort Frances Board of Education.
His special love was his grandchildren.
He enjoyed a full life in Fort Frances, including his retired years in which he liked to putter around the yard and was entertained by the neighbourhood kids.
Mike and Marvel were always especially grateful to their neighbours and friends who helped them and watched out for them.
For this, the children also say "thank you!"
Memorial services will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, Ont., with Fr. Gilbert Levesque, OMI officiating.
JAMES IAN FRASER
James Ian Fraser passed away peacefully at Regina General Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998 at the age of 69.
Born in Forest, Man., he was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Innes; sister, Kathleen Smitsnik; and brother, Frank.
He is survived by his wife, Orphie, of Devlin, Ont.; his sons, Gary (Helen) of Regina, Sask., Leslie (friend Sandy) of Nestor Falls, Ont., Dallas (Irene) of Calgary, Alta., James (Debra) of Lajord, Sask., and John (Deborah) of Regina, Sask.; one sister, Frances Barthait of Winnipeg, Man.; brothers, Alex (Marie) of Brandon, Man., Philip (Gladys) of Devlin, Ont., Fred (Katherine) of Devlin, Ont., and Leslie of Abbotsford, B.C.; sister-in-law, Darlene of Mainville, Alta; brother-in-law, Alex Smitsnik of Calgary, Alta.; 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in Scotland.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 17 at Regina Apostolic Church, with Rev. M.A. Switzer officiating. Interment was followed at Riverside Memorial Park cemetery.
Those wishing may make donations in James’ memory to the Canadian Liver Foundation, Box 1754, Regina, Sask., S4P 3C6, or Guthrie United Church in Devlin, Ont. c/o Ethel Bujold, Devlin, Ont., P0W 1C0.
EARL KENNETH HATCH
Earl Hatch, of New Westminster, B.C., passed away there Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998.
He was born March 28, 1917 in Tenstrike, Mn. to the late David and Bessie Hatch. At a young age, Earl moved with his family to Ontario, where he later farmed, and for a time worked on the Kenora Highway.
During World War II, Earl served in the Canadian Army with the Fifth Canadian Armoured Corps as a tank driver in England, France, Holland, and Germany from 1940 until his discharge in 1945.
Following the war, Earl worked at J.A. Mathieu Sawmill, and for Imperial Oil. He also worked for the Rainy River Board of Education until his retirement.
Following Earl’s retirement, he moved to Summerland, B.C., and later to New Westminster, B.C. due to ill health.
He was predeceased by one brother, Ronald Hatch; and by one brother-in-law, Gordon McDonald.
Earl is survived by three sons, Brian Hatch, Wayne Shannon, and Kenneth Shannon; one daughter, Judy Thompson; two sisters, Shirley Huntley and Hazel McDonald; one sister-in-law, Ruth Hatch; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 30, 1998 at 11 a.m. at Columbia-Bowell Funeral Chapel, 219 6th St., New Westminster, B.C.
HELEN ELIZA HICKERSON
Helen Hickerson, 93, of 1032 First St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at Rainycrest Home for the Aged on Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998.
Helen was born Aug. 5, 1904 in Morley Township, Ont. to the late Horace and Mercy Theker. She was raised in the Rainy River District and graduated from Fort Frances High School. Following graduation, Helen taught school for two years in Roddick and Farrington, Ont.
On Sept. 9, 1925, Helen was united in marriage to William Hickerson, and together they settled in Farrington, Ont. for 15 years. In 1940, Helen and Bill moved to Fort Frances where she lived until her passing.
Helen was an honourary life member of the United Church Women, and was an active member of Knox United Church and the Rebekah Lodge. Family was very important to Helen; she was the matriarch of not only her immediate family but was a mother to many of her nieces and nephews over the years as well as being a foster mother.
She enjoyed gardening, reading, and knitting, and especially spending time with people. Her family was first and foremost in her life, and her leadership and strong sense of family values will live on through her family.
She was predeceased by her husband, William (March 10, 1968); daughter, Irene Alex; grandson, Delbert Hickerson; foster daughter, Margaret "Dolly" Allan; and sister, Florence Henderson.
Helen will be sadly missed by her four sons, Horace Hickerson and wife, Fae, of Fernie, B.C., Rev. William Hickerson and wife, Elaine, of Winnipeg, Man., Frank Hickerson and wife, Frieda, of Westbank, B.C., and Edward Hickerson and wife, Mabel, of Kakabeka Falls, Ont.; five daughters, Jessie and husband, Merlin Enge, of Atikokan, Ont., Florence and husband, Murray Kemp, of Minnedosa, Man., Shirley and husband, Les Ford, of Dauphin, Man., Donna and husband, Willie Opie, of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Lois Topping of Minnedosa, Man.; son-in-law, Felix Alex of Minnedosa, Man.; 24 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998 at 2 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances. Rev. Patrick Playfair officiated, with interment in Riverview cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends visited Monday, Feb. 2, 1998 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers were her grandchildren.
In memoriam donations may be made to Knox United Church Memorial Fund, 340 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1E1, or to the Manitoba Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation, 100 Olivia St., Winnipeg, Man.
FRANCES JOHNSON
Frances Johnson, 62, of Seine River First Nation, Ont., passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
Frances was born March 7, 1935 in Seine River First Nation, where she was also raised and lived her entire life. Frances enjoyed the outdoors, going to pow-wows, and making blankets and quilts. Most of all, she loved her family and spending time with them, especially her grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her father, John Johnson Sr.; infant son, Howard Johnson; two granddaughters, Evangeline and Rebecca; and brother, John Johnson Jr.
Frances is survived by her mother, Alice Johnson of Seine River First Nation, Ont.; seven children, Ken Johnson Sr. and wife, Bonnie, Dwayne R. Johnson, and Myron G. Johnson, all of Seine River First Nation, Ont., Ladean L. Johnson and Walter Skead of Rat Portage First Nation, Ont., Theresa A. Perreault and John Kabatay, Terence L. Boshkaykin, and Rick J. Johnson, all of Seine River First Nation, Ont.; 14 grandchildren, Terry, Denise, Faron, Jennifer, Mary, Leon, Colleen, Rhea, Shaun, Gerald Jr., Kimberley, Wendy, and Destinee; one great-granddaughter, Julie Johnson; one brother, Edward Johnson of Seine River First Nation, Ont.; and sister, Mary and husband, Emile Morin, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A traditional burial ritual was held Monday, Feb. 2, 1998 in the morning at Seine River First Nation Community Centre in Seine River First Nation.
A wake was held Sunday evening, Feb. 1, 1998 at the Seine River First Nation Community Centre.
Elder Gilbert Smith officiated, with interment in Seine River First Nation cemetery in Seine River First Nation.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Box 655, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9, or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 840 Frenette Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2N5.
JUDITH LYNN KIRTLAND
Judith Lynn Kirtland, of Leisure Hills Health Care Centre in Hibbing, Mn., and formerly of International Falls, Mn., passed away there Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998.
She was born Nov. 11, 1942 in International Falls, where she grew up. She graduated from Falls High School and Rainy River Community College.
She worked with Friends against Abuse, and lived at Woodland Apts. where she was active with the activities.
She is survived by a son, Michael Allan Kirtland of Minneapolis, Mn.; one grandson, Nicholas Michael Kirtland; her mother, Velma (Morris) Kirtland; sisters, Caroline Zucchiatti of Fort Frances, Ont., Colleen Early of International Falls, Mn., and Jacqueline Walls of Hibbing, Mn.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her father, Jack Kirtland; sister, Beverly Ann Kirtland; brother-in-law, Gus Zucchiatti; and grand-nephew, Brad Zucchiatti.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998 at 10 a.m. at the Green-Larsen Mortuary in International Falls.
MARY ‘SIS’ LUNDON
Mary ‘Sis’ Lundon, of 532 Front St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away suddenly at La Verendrye General Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998 at the age of 65.
She was born Mary Leone Hird on June 4, 1932 in Powell River, B.C.
Sis enjoyed her life to the fullest. With all her heart, she devoted much of her time to the Salvation Army. Her greatest pride was her involvement with the local T.O.P.S. Club, where she will be sadly missed. She also will be missed by her friends and staff at Front Street Manor, who helped her through the last years of her life.
Her grandchildren she loved and cared for dearly.
Sis was predeceased by her parents; and one son in Port Alberni, B.C.
She will be forever loved and missed by her two children and families, son, Steve, Livia, Johny, and Natalie Lundon, and daughter, Kim, Gord, Amy, and Jeff Gushulak; brother, John (Val) Hird of Port Alberni, B.C., one uncle, Bill Sweeny of B.C.; nieces and nephews; and a faithful and best friend, Lorraine.
Cremation to take place in Thunder Bay. A private family service will be held.
Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
So big a heart
But "O" so tired a heart
We love you forever, Gram.
LILLIAN EVA VAN STEENKISTE
Peacefully, after brief illness, it is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Lillian Van Steenkiste, 72, on Jan. 16, 1998 at St. Boniface Hospital.
Lillian is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Arthur; children, Lewis (Elda), April (Larry), Susan (Raz), and Bryan (Lori); grandchildren, Kristal (Mike, Josiah), Shawn (Craig), Tara (Dave), Neil, Jeff, Cory (Pauline, Taylor, Casey), Kyle (Jennifer); brother Clifford (Joy); sisters, Doris and Della; sisters-in-law, Georgina and Yvonne; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lillian was predeceased by her mother and father; daughter, Linda; brother, Lewis; and sister, Edith.
Lillian lived for her crafts, flowers, and gardens. Her hands were never idle. She served five terms as president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Norwood Legion. She also volunteered on the Community Centre board in Wabigoon, Ont., where she lived in her retirement, enjoying her gardening and fishing Wabigoon Lake with Art.
Her winters were full of activities in Weslaco, Texas, where she and Art wintered in Magic Valley Trailer Park. She had a passion for playing shuffleboard; and she and Art won many prizes at it.
Her family will especially remember the great meals and baked goods she prepared for family gatherings, and will especially treasure the angels she crocheted for each and everyone this past Christmas.
Lillian will be truly missed by her family and friends but all know that she has moved on to a better place, safe in the arms of our creator, free from all pain or worry and with the knowledge that she was dearly loved during her time with us.
Special thanks go to everyone who sat at her bedside 24 hours a day, all who made sure she was never alone throughout her long hospital stay.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The family would like to thank all the staff of 5B and 3E at St. Boniface Hospital for treating us with so much dignity and comfort.
Services were held at P. Coutu Funeral Chapel, 156 Marion St., Winnipeg, Man. on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m., officiated by Pastor Cam Fontaine.
A lunch followed at Norwood Legion next to the funeral chapel.
