Bernard Bob, 64, of Rainycrest Long Term Care, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., formerly of Onigaming First Nation, Ont., passed away Monday, Oct. 1, 2007 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Bernard was born May 26, 1943 in Assabaska, Ont. to the late George and Annie Bob. He lived at Onigaming First Nation most of his life.
In earlier years, he met the former Pansy Boshkaykin and together they raised their daughter, Betty. Bernard loved the outdoors, where he fished, hunted, and guided for many years.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas and Jim Bob; and three sisters, Elizabeth, Mae, and Ella.
Bernard is survived by his daughter, Betty Boshkaykin; grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
A traditional burial ritual will be held Friday, Oct. 5, 2007 in the morning at the Onigaming First Nation gymnasium. Elder Harry Windigo will officiate, with burial in the Onigaming First Nation cemetery.
A wake will be held Thursday evening at the Onigaming First Nation gymnasium.
The pallbearers will be family and friends.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your own choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
MARY CHARLOTTE (KIP) DUCHARME
“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31
Mary (Kip) Ducharme passed away at Rainycrest in Fort Frances, Ont. on Sept. 28, 2007 at the age of 88.
Kip was born Feb. 12, 1919 in McIrvine, Ont. to Harvey and Annie May Perry. She spent most of her childhood living in the family home in the west end of Fort Frances.
She attended school at Robert Moore, one year in Crozier, and then Fort Frances High School. Kip loved learning, but left school after Grade 11 to help out with the family.
On Nov. 27, 1937, Kip married Leo Ducharme. They lived in Fort Frances and Crozier, and also spent 16 years in Miscampbell. While living on the farm, Kip cared for her family with remarkable homemaking skills.
Her family gratefully remembers, and often talks of, how well she provided for them.
Kip was a member of the Crozier and McIrvine Women’s Institutes and later helped to establish the W.I. of Miscampbell. Her cooking and handcraft skills, along with her interest in gardening and good living, encouraged her to also act as a leader for the 4-H Club.
As a child, Kip was a member of the United Church. During her married years, she attended St. Mary’s parish with her family and converted to Catholicism so she could participate more fully in the mass.
She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada and encouraged her daughters to join as well.
In 1965, Kip and Leo moved to Fort Frances. With most of her family raised, Kip went to work at the New Lunch Café and later managed the coffee shop at the Red Dog Inn.
Wherever Kip lived, she had beautiful flower gardens. She liked to grow sweet peas for picking to bring as fragrant gifts to friends and family.
After the death of her husband, Leo, in 1984, Kip moved to Columbus Place, where she had many good years. Her family is appreciative of the neighbours and friends who kept company with her.
In 2002, due to failing health, Kip moved to Rainycrest, where she lived for five years.
Kip was predeceased by her father, Harvey Perry; mother, Annie May Perry-Ducharme; husband, Leo; son, Harvey; brothers, George, Stanley (Joe), and Lloyd Perry; and sister, Marjorie (Midge) Johnson.
Kip also was predeceased by her step-father, Albert Ducharme; step-brothers, Conrad, Iver, and Odo Ducharme; and step-sisters, Orise Roy, Corrine Brooks, and Val Clarkson.
Kip is survived by her sons, Jack (Mary) and Ray (Shelley) Ducharme; daughters, Diane (George) Revus, Linda (Lyle) Fleming, and Micaela (Doug) Jensen; brother, Clarence Ducharme; sister, June Hughes; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Perry, Lorna Ducharme, and Gertie Ducharme.
Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, including special niece, Marguerite Paulson.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances, with interment in St. Mary’s cemetery.
A reception will follow in St. Mary’s church hall.
The pallbearers will be her grandsons, Darren Revus, Perry Ducharme, Bradley Ducharme, and Patrick Fleming, and nephews, Harvey Perry and Brian O’Connell.
Honourary pallbearers will be Madelyn Manley, Iva Koski, Isla Hayes, Verena Zuchiatti, and the many women who have graced her life with friendship.
The family would like to thank Green Funeral Home, Fr. Francis, the ladies of St. Mary’s Funeral Committee, and the C.W.L. Honour Guard, and special thanks to Dr. Algie and the staff at Rainycrest for their care over the years.
Thank you to all who have visited with Kip and prayed for her. Mom would now say, “Home at last.”
Those wishing to make in memoriam donations may do so to the Rainycrest Auxiliary or in memory of her son, Harvey, to help needy children, to The Call of the Poor, P.O. Box 117, St. Norbert, Man., R3V 1L5.
Donations also can be made through Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
“The hand we reach out to help might very well be the one that pulls us into heaven.”
IVY MARTHA JOHNSON
Ivy Martha Johnson, 97, of 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Ivy was born June 3, 1910 in Brandon, Man. to George and Alice Watts. She moved with her family to Shenston Township, Ont. as a child, where she later met John Johnson.
They were married on Aug. 6, 1931. They shared 67 years of marriage, farming together in the Arbor Vitae, Ont. area for many years before retiring to Fort Frances in 1987.
Ivy was a hard worker, and found much joy and satisfaction in the many tasks of farm life. She was an avid gardener and seamstress, and continued tending her garden and quilting until ill health befell her at age 95.
Ivy had a big heart that extended to everyone around her; she cared for foster children and seniors throughout her life.
She was a member of the Church of the Lutheran Hour, Scandinavian Society and, in her earlier years, the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
Ivy was predeceased by her husband, John, on Oct. 16, 1998; parents, George and Alice Watts; five brothers, Sam, George, Charlie, Art, and John; and two sisters, Stella (Peggy) Bolen and Freda Watts.
Ivy leaves behind her daughter, Sybil and husband, Edwin Sletmoen; grandsons, Darrel (Wilma), Dwayne (Evelyn), and Mark (Ayoko) Sletmoen; great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Joseph, Paula, Christina (Jay), Benjamin, Laura (Tyler), Christian, and John; and great-great-grandaughter, Isabella.
Also surviving is her foster daughter, Shirley Fisher and friend, Jim, of Owen Sound, Ont., her daughters, Faye (George) Chamberlain, Debbie (Dave) Scholl, and Deanna (Jason) Tishart, and their children; sisters-in-law, Florence Watts of Stratton, Ont., Mary Peterson of Dryden, Ont., and Martha Johnson of Fort Frances, Ont.; brother-in-law, Don Bolen of Stratton, Ont.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Lutheran Hour in Fort Frances, with Pastor Gary H. Schulz officiating.
Interment will take place at Riverview cemetery in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be her grandsons, Darrel, Dwayne, and Mark Sletmoen, and great-grandsons, Joseph, Benjamin, and Christian.
Honourary pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Nugent, Don Bolen Sr., Don Bolen Jr., Matt Fairnington, and Dennis Peterson.
The family gratefully requests that in memoriams be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Church of the Lutheran Hour Building Fund c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
LACEYA COUNCILLOR
LaCeya Councillor, of Northwest Bay First Nation, Ont., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
She was predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Brenda Councillor; and uncle, Joey.
She is survived by her mother, Bonnie Councillor, and father, Curtis Copenace.
She also is survived by her brother, Dante Councillor; maternal grandparents, Ray and Fern Smith; paternal grandparents, Dennis Copenace and Karen Kabatay; and by her aunts and uncles, Sabrina, Stephanie, Mylo, Rayline, and Wendy.
A traditional burial ritual was held Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 in the morning at the Northwest Bay First Nation gymnasium. Elder Gilbert Smith officiated, with burial in the Northwest Bay First Nation cemetery.
The pallbearers were Mylo Smith and Delano Black.
Honourary pallbearers were her siblings, Dante Councillor, Miah Kelly-Copenace, Justice Copenace, and Romyn Copenace.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
TYLER JAMES COTTAM
The family of Tyler James Cottam announce with heavy hearts his tragic passing on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 at the Rainy River Health Centre in Rainy River, Ont.
Tyler was born Aug. 15, 1989, the first child to Harvey and Joanne Cottam (nee Lucas) of Nestor Falls, Ont. He was the best big brother ever to Darrin, Kaitlyn, and Scott.
He was always going to have the biggest truck, and loved taking things apart and putting them back together again. He was his Dad’s Best Buddy and his Grandpa’s Sidekick.
Tyler’s lasting gift was his ability to not judge; he looked past the things in people that would keep others away. His latest rescue was “Cheyenne,” his black lab-husky cross, which he named after his latest project “the Truck.”
His dream was to be a teacher, and he was so proud to be a student at Confederation College studying Early Childhood Education. Tyler loved kids, and would have been a wonderful influence in children’s lives.
His passion in life included flying, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and hockey, especially the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tyler was known for his hip-check and had the hardest slapshot around.
Tyler‘s love of music and his guitar was developed and nurtured by his Grandpa, and he carried that on in his serenading Rachel and guitar jam sessions with Darrin.
Left to grieve are his parents, Harvey and Joanne Cottam, and Tyler’s two brothers and sister, Darrin, Scott, and Kaitlyn, all of Nestor Falls, Ont.; the love of his life, Rachel Dutton, who will always be a part of our family; his paternal grandparents, Stan and Judy Cottam of Nestor Falls, Ont.; his paternal great-grandmother, Evelyn Widgren; his aunts and uncles, Janet and Tom Cusker, Claudia and Bob Schmidt, Harold and Lois Lucas, Kenny and Debbie Lucas, Colleen and Ian Birt, and Keith and Tracy Cottam; and numerous cousins and friends.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Helen and Harold “Pop Pop” Lucas; his paternal great-grandfather, Telford Widgren; and paternal great-grandmother, Elsie Cottam.
Cremation has taken place at the Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Mn.
A celebration of Tyler’s life was held Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre in Fort Frances, Ont, with United Church Minister Peggy Mason officiating.
A reception for family and friends was held at the Townshend Theatre following the service.
The honourary pallbearers were Clint Brown, Tyler Brown, Terry Carmody, Darrin Cottam, Scott Cottam, Cameron Cuadros, Paul Dobransky, Aarron Kadikoff, Brent Lindberg, Kyle Miller, Erik Olson, T.J. Roen, Mitch Seguin, Travis Showalter, Matthew Smith, Matthew Swift, Danny Usiski, and Shawn Whalen, and all of Tyler’s friends who touched his heart.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Tyler Cottam Memorial Fund c/o the Lakewood Credit Union, Box 469, Nestor Falls, Ont., P0X 1K0 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
ISABELLA (ELLA) NORTON
It is with deep sadness that the family of Isabella (Ella) Norton annunces her passing at her residence at 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007.
Ella was born Aug. 15, 1920 in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1942, she married her husband, Walter Norton Sr., who was stationed in Scotland with the 17th Forestry Corps.
She was very proud of her family’s wartime service. Her husband, Walter, served in Scotland and later in Europe while her brother, Wee James, served in the Royal Air Force and her brother-in-law, Bill Bateson (Peggy), served in the Royal Navy.
She was especially proud of her brother, John, and his wife, Madeleine. He escaped from several German P.O.W. camps and was hidden by Madeleine’s family who were in the French underground.
She received a commendation from the Allied Forces.
Mom came to Canada in 1946 as a war bride, settling in Fort Frances. She and her husband, Walter, and other forward-thinking people started the Fort Frances Community Credit Union (Northern Lights), where she became manager for roughly 25 years, retiring in the mid-1970s.
She was predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine; brothers, John and James; and sister, Peggy. She also was predeceased by nephews, Gordon and Walter Strain; granddaughter, Melanie Norton; and her son, John Alexander in 1996.
Ella is survived by her sons, Walter Jr. and Larry (Sue); and her grandchildren, Ashlee, Karin, Wendy, and John. She also is survived by her sister, June (Jack) Hanlon; and nephews, John and Eddie in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Cremation has taken place at the Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Mn.
A private family service will be held later in the summer, with her ashes to be spread as were her husband’s on Rainy Lake in the summer of 2008.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3T2 or the Kenora-Rainy River Lung Association, Box 67, Kenora, Ont., P9N 3X4, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
