Wayne L. Raboin, 57, formerly of International Falls, Mn., passed away in Brea, Calif. on Monday, July 28, 1997. He was born in International Falls in November, 1939 and graduated from Falls High School in 1958. He played on the Broncos football team. He also served four years in the U.S. Navy. He retired from Lucky Stores Inc. of Buena Park, Calif. after 27 years as a truck driver. He was predeceased by his father, Edward Raboin; and brother, James Raboin. Survivors include his wife, Rosemary Cookson-Raboin; sons, Timothy, Ronald, Steven, and Scott; mother, Eleanor of the Falls; brothers, Richard and wife, Marlys, of the Falls, and Jerry and wife, Beverly, of Long View, Wash.; sister, Dorothy and husband, Jerry Hinricks, of Fort Frances; and three grandchildren. Services will be held at St. Angelus Church in Brea on Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 at 8 a.m. Cards of condolence may be sent to Rosemary Raboin, 1345 Summer Lake Cir., Brea, CA, 92821-2838.
VIOLET MAUD ASHLEY
In loving memory of Violet Maud Ashley, who passed away in Emo hospital July 23, 1997 after several years of bad health. Having suffered several strokes in Ottawa, she came to Emo in 1989 to make her home with her sister, Lily Rathwell. Violet was the youngest of the Robertson family of eight. Clark Robertson of Fort Frances was her only brother. She had worked in his office before moving to Nepean, Ont. and receiving a position as secretary in the House of Commons, where she was employed for 27 years. Lastly, she had worked in the office of MP Gordon Towers, who later was appointed Lt.-Gov. of Alberta. Violet was predeceased by her husband, Elgin Ashley in 1977; her father, who made his home with them until his passing in 1952; her mother in 1925; brother, Clark Robertson; sisters, Lousie Pierce of Vancouver, and Jean Robertson and Nellie Mead of Winnipeg; nephew James Rathwell of Dryden; and brother-in-law, Lorne Cole of Nepean, Ont. Surviving are sisters, Isabelle Robertson of Winnipeg and Mary Cole of Nepean, Ont.; and several nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States. Violet was a very private person who dearly loved her family. All were very close. A kindly person who was charitable to everyone in need. She had prepared her own private funeral arrangements, that were carried out to perfection by Mr. Frank DeBenedet of Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Burial was at Darlingford, Man. in the Ashley family plot. Emo hospital was her final home the last four years. She greatly appreciated the excellent care of Dr. O’Sullivan and wonderful nurses in Emo. She will be greatly missed by many.
MICHAEL FRANCIS BENINGER
Michael Beninger, 43, of 150 Cedar Cres., Atikokan, Ont., passed away peacefully at McKellar Hospital in Thunder Bay on Sunday, July 20, 1997 after never regaining consciousness following a tragic accident on Friday, July 4, 1997. Michael was born June 28, 1954 in Emo, Ont. where he lived until 1961, when he moved with his family to Atikokan. Following high school, Michael graduated from a welding course and was a certified welder. He worked for eight years with Great Lakes Woodlands as a welder/mechanic, and more recently as a mechanic with Buchanan Forest Products until his sudden passing. Michael was also a guide for many years, and taught a guiding course at Confederation College for a semester. Michael loved the outdoors and made several movies about fishing. He also enjoyed hunting and tinkering with vehicles and motors. Michael was a real people person, and was always helping others out by fixing things for them. Michael loved his family, especially his two children, Noelle and Bradley, and will be sadly missed by them. He was predeceased by his father, William Beninger, on April 28, 1977. Michael is survived by his two children, Noelle and Bradley Beninger; mother, Margaret Beninger of Atikokan; brother, Patrick Beninger of Atikokan; two sisters, Ruth (John) Ritchat and their children, Conrad, Maeghan, and Graeme, of Waterford, Ont., and Cathy (John) White and their sons, Conor and Broghan, of Guelph, Ont.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorial services were held Thursday, July 24, 1997 at First Baptist Church in Atikokan, with Pastor Bert Baxter officiating. Honourary pallbearers were all of Michael’s family and friends. In memoriam donations may be made to Noelle and Brad’s education c/o 150 Cedar Cres., P.O. Box 1905, Atikokan, Ont., P0T 1C0, or to the charity of your choice.
RUTH HANEY
Ruth Haney passed away at home in Prince George, B.C. on Monday, July 2, 2007 at the age of 65.
She will be missed by her husband, Minard Haney; daughter, Lori (Rex) Akehurst; grandchildren, Dwayne and Jenean; brothers, Bill (Agnes) Harasymyk and Allen (Zelda) Harasymyk; sister, Lynne (Jim) Oltsher; and sister-in-law, Janice Harasymyk.
She also is survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, and other family members.
She was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Isabell Harasymyk; brother, Jerry Harasymyk; and sister, Marilynn Kreger. If friends so desire, in memoriam donations can be made to the Cancer Society. No services by request.
LINDA ANDY
It was with an unexpected chain of events, following a short but brave battle with cancer, that Linda Lou Andy was lost on Friday, July 6, 2007 in Winnipeg, Man. Linda was predeceased by her mother, Evelyn Nelson. Left to grieve her passing is her father, Herbert Nelson; husband, Edward Andy; daughters, Michelle and Heather Andy; and granddaughter, Vanessa Andy. Linda was born in Rainy River, Ont. She left to attend nursing college after graduating from Rainy River High School. Upon her marriage and arrival of the children, she lived in Nestor Falls, Sioux Narrows, Emo, and Grassy Narrows before settling finally in Kenora. Her employment history consisted of nursing, both in hospital settings as well as at Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances. In later years, she chose the field of human services with various agencies to maintain employment. Through her various employments, Linda found great enjoyment in developing friendships with those she worked with. Her dedication as a mother never went without notice. She would respond quickly to phone calls, ranging in everything from babysitting requests and diagnosing a sick pet to “what are you and dad doing for dinner?” which always resulted in an offer to join them for a meal. As a grandmother, she influenced Vanessa with her love of music, dancing (teaching Vanessa a few tap dancing steps she had learned as a child), and love and respect for animals. Linda referred to herself as “grandma” to the family pets Maybelline, Lola, Brian, Mui, and Pearl. Her hobbies, which she shared with her husband of 35 years, included reading, attending music concerts, and cultural and spiritual activities. A regular weekend included a day trip to Winnipeg and Saturday garage sales. Funeral services will be held at the McInnis Creek chapel in Rainy River on Friday, July 13, 2007 at 2 p.m., with Mr. Glen Armstrong officiating. A memorial service also will be held in Kenora on a date to be announced. Cremation has taken place in Winnipeg, and interment will be in McInnis Creek cemetery. In memoriam donations can be made to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the Humane Society c/o Rainy River Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
ROSALIE SYLVIA BATCHER
Rosalie Sylvia Batcher, 78, of International Falls, Mn., passed away peacefully at home following her long and courageous battle with cancer with family at her side. Sylvia was born Dec. 11, 1928 to Harold and Rosalie (O’Donnell) Armstrong in Fort Frances, Ont. She moved to International Falls and has lived there since. She was united in marriage to Dwayne Batcher in 1949. Sylvia enjoyed gardening, fishing, travelling, spending time with her family and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and having coffee with friends and family. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Dwayne Batcher; brother, Reginald Armstrong; sister, Betty Jean Cawston; and daughter, Tammy Wiitta. Sylvia is survived by her son, Dwayne Batcher Jr. of International Falls, Mn.; daughters, Beverly (Les) Bragg of Loman, Mn., Wendy Leckner of International Falls, Mn., and Lisa (Michael) Stouffer of Ranier, Mn.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brothers, Harold (Marlene) Armstrong of Fort Frances, Ont., Roger (Linda) Armstrong of Wasaga Beach, Ont., and Glen (Ann Marie) Armstrong of Atikokan, Ont.; sisters; Phoebe Mosley of Atikokan, Ont., Vivian (Don) Mullikan of Onalaska, Wis., Shirley (Maxwell) Judd of Mississauga, Ont., Anita Rostie of Toronto, Ont., Pauline (Bill) Smith of Winnipeg, Ont., and Dorothy (Vern) Norlund of Rainy River, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, July 15, 2007 from 4-7 p.m. at the Ranier Community Hall in Ranier. Interment will be in the V.F.W. section of Forest Hill cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Lisa Stouffer at P.O. Box 8, Rainer, Mn., 56668.
JOHN BOSMA
On Sunday, July 8, 2007, our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather went to be with the Lord. John (Johannes) Bosma was born in Friesland, the Netherlands in 1908. He married Susan in 1932 in the Netherlands and in 1949 they immigrated to Canada with seven children to Longburn, Man. Four more children were born to them, one of which died shortly after birth. In 1957, they purchased a dairy farm in Stratton, Ont., where they farmed until John’s retirement. They then moved to the Golden Age Manor in Emo, Ont. In 1992, John and Susan celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren. After Susan’s passing in 1994, John remained in the apartment until he moved to Rainycrest in Fort Frances, Ont. Dad was an active member of the Christian Reformed Church. After retirement, Mom and Dad enjoyed their many visits to their family throughout Canada. Dad also enjoyed gardening and making clothes hangers, which have been distributed far and wide. Listening to Christian broadcasts and sermon tapes were very important to him. Despite his blindness, Dad enjoyed life and maintained a positive disposition, and loved receiving visitors. He will be lovingly remembered by his 10 children, Margaret Mooibroek (Fred) of Manitoba, Sharon Van Beek (Dick) of B.C., Klaas Bosma (Gerda) of B.C.; Sadie Roersma (Wilbert) of Alberta, Peter Bosma (Darlene) of Ontario, Teena Vanderploeg (Albert) of Ontario, Robert Bosma (Janice) of B.C., Liz Visser (John) of B.C., Louis Bosma (Penny) and Jerry Bosma (Joyce), also all of Ontario. He also is survived by 33 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. John was predeceased by all of his siblings. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 14, 2007 at the Christian Reformed Church in Emo from noon, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Pastor Louis Bosma will officiate. Interment in Emo cemetery. If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Rainycrest Home for the Age, 550 Osborne St, Fort Frances, Ont.m P9A 3T2 or the Golden Age Manor, 260 Front St., Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
JOHN PATRICK SNIDER
Mr. John Patrick Snider, 69, a resident of Atikokan, Ont., passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 1, 2007 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born Jan. 12, 1938 in Fort Frances, Ont., he was employed with Mando Camp 113 for many years and retired from the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1996. Pat was a skilled carpenter and Jack-of-all-trades—there wasn’t anything that needed repair that he could not fix or had a part for. Pat also enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends in and around his cottage at Perch Lake. Pat, as a young man, served with the PPCLI for three years at the Edmonton Base. He also was a longtime member of the Atikokan Legion Br. #145. Patrick is loved and remembered by his wife, Joan; his six children, Tina, Loretta, Trisha, Tad, Tracey, and Trent; sisters, Louise, Beverly, and Cathy; and brothers, Billy, Ralph, Lyle, and Bob. He was predeceased by his father, Roy; mother, Dora; sister, Mildred; and brother, Doug. Cremation has taken place, and a “Celebration of Life” will take place Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Legion Br. #145 in Atikokan. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of Pat’s favorite charities: The War Amps or Champs, or the Legion Br. #145.
ELSA WIERSEMA
It is with great sadness that the family of Elsa Wiersema announces her unexpected passing on Thursday, July 5, 2007. Elsa was born April 11, 1935 to Eldert and Johanna Romyn in Zwijndrecht, Holland. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1948, settled in Portage La Prairie, Man. and later, in 1952, moved to the Rainy River District. Elsa worked in the Emo Hospital in Emo, Ont. and married the love of her life, Louis, on Nov. 1 1954. They moved to Atikokan, Ont., starting a family, and later moved to Gameland, Ont. in the early 1960s, where they farmed and the family grew in numbers. Elsa and Louis moved outside of Rainy River, Ont. in the early ’80s and then to a home in Rainy River in 2003. Elsa is survived by her children, Ed (Colleen) and their sons, Jason (Sheila) and Jeff, Ben (Donna) and their sons, Andrew and Sean, Diana (Bill) Bourke of Oconee, Ill. and their children, Ashley, Kimberley, and Derek, Theresa (Bill) Bousfield from Dryden, Ont. and their children, Julie and Dean, Sandra (Stan) Barton of Calgary, Alta. and their children, Charles and Rebecca, and Les. Also surviving are her three sisters, Francine (Jack) of Winnipeg, Man., Alice of Dryden, Ont., and Irene (John); and two brothers, John (Patty) and Ben (Marilyn). Elsa also has numerous brother- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews who were special to her. Elsa was predeceased by her parents; husband, Louie; brother, Harry; and in-laws, John & Froukye (parents of Louis), Nick, Harry, Bernie, Doug, Bert, and Thea. Elsa’s career began at the Emo Red Cross hospital where her bridal party dressed for her wedding. Elsa put her career on hold to raise her children and later worked at the Rainy River Hospital until she retired. Elsa did beautiful handwork with her knitting needles. Many people treasure her keepsakes. She enjoyed reading, gardening, visiting, and most of all, her family and grandchildren. Elsa will be sadly missed by all. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Christian Reform Church in Emo. The pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Julie Bousfield, Jason Wiersema, Dean Bousfield, Jeff Wiersema, Andrew Wiersema, and Sean Wiersema. The honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren Ashley, Kimberley, and Derek Bourke, and Charles and Rebecca Barton. In lieu of flowers, should family and friends desire, in memoriam donations can be made to the Arthritis Society, Diabetes Association, or a charity of your choice. Love forever, your children.
