Heape, Bertha Mary

It is with great sadness I announce the passing of my mom, Bertha Mary Heape, who passed away at the Souris Health Centre on March 10, 2023 at the age of 79 years.
Mom was born to Delbert and Lavinia Russell in Deloraine, Manitoba on July 23, 1943. She lived in Dand until moving to Hartney. Mom spoke fondly of her railroad trips with her parents and her sister Lucy.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, sister. Bertha was also predeceased by her husband Gerald Heape on April 11, 1996. She is

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Zilkey, Sharon Leslie

Sharon Leslie Zilkey (Nee: Hatch)

April 15, 1942-September 4, 2023

It is with deep sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of Sharon.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Jennifer (Darcy Clevett) and Jon (Jodie): Grandchildren Emerson and Griffin: Sister Linda Hatch: brother-in-law Eric Penner: as well as numerous relatives and friends.

She was preceded by her parents Wynne and Harry Hatch: sister Lee Penner.

Sharon was raised in Oak Lake Manitoba.  She attended teachers training

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Barclay, Viola Gjordie

On Monday September 4, 2023, Viola Gjordie Barclay passed away peacefully with family by her side.

Vi was born to Melvin and Alma Scansen on March 25,1929 in Crichton Saskatchewan. She went on to live a wonderfully beautiful life. She was so caring and thoughtful; a person’s spirits could not help but be lifted when you were in her presence. She had a passion for music that was contagious and for years played music entertaining residents of various care homes. She was a bright light in everyone’s

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Hennessy, George Ritchie Gunter

George Hennessy of Oak Lake, Manitoba was born November 2, 1941 in Kenora, Ontario. George passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the Health Sciences Centre – Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 16, 2023.

George spent his earlier years in Kenora before the family moved to Winnipeg. George moved to Oak Lake in 1981 after purchasing the Oak Land Hotel.

George was predeceased by parents Howard and Rita Hennessy. He is survived by his life partner Joyce Milne, daughter Bonnie Hodgson (Tim), stepchildren;

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Doherty, Kenneth Russell

Kenneth Russell Doherty

March 21, 1941 – August 14, 2023

Ken (Kenny) passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre in Marlene’s loving arms after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ken was born March 21, 1941 in Oak Lake, Manitoba to Ken and Eileen Doherty. The eldest of 5 children, Ken attended school at Oak Lake and helped his dad on the family farm overlooking the Assiniboine river. At 18, Ken joined the air force where he worked as radar technician. He met Ann McManus at

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Mills, Sylvia Elizabeth Ann

Sylvia Elizabeth Ann Mills (Farmer)

Sylvia passed away suddenly at home in her husband’s arms on August 11, 2023.

Born July 12, 1949 in Minnedosa, Manitoba.

Lived in Fairfax and attended school at Fairfax, Elgin and Hartney.

Sylvia attended Business College in Brandon, and then worked for Dunwoody & Company.

Married Larry Mills on December 7, 1968.

Sylvia and Larry lived in Virden, Manitou, Hartney and Roblin before retiring to Brandon in 2006. Sylvia worked at the Bank of Montreal, the Royal

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Draper, David (Mac) McPherson

Mac, 77 years, beloved husband of Betty Draper, father of Chris, Craig and Jon. Mac passed away in the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, July 30, 2023. In keeping with Mac’s wishes there will be no funeral service. A private interment will be held at the Elgin Cemetery at a later date. In memory of Mac, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. click to read more

Clarkson, Charles Irwin

In Loving Memory of

Charles (Chuck) Clarkson

March 12th 1924 – May 7th 2023

Dad was born in Sardis BC and moved with his parents Charles and Frances and two siblings to a farm outside of Whitewood Saskatchewan where they lived during the Great Depression. At age 15 he left the farm to join the militia eventually joining up with the South Saskatchewan regiment during World War Two. Later in the war he volunteered with the First Canadian Parachute Division, which saw active service in Belgium and Germany, taking part in the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine Crossing. After the war he returned to his family in Haney BC, and  met and married the love of his life, Edna, in Vancouver.

As the family grew he unexpectedly came home one night to tell Mum that he had joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. There were postings in Alberta and Ontario. A posting to Zweibrucken Germany allowed the family to explore Europe and have many adventures. Upon returning to Canada, he was stationed in Winnipeg and had a memorable day as the Governor General’s driver during the Manitoba Centennial celebrations.

Retiring from the Air Force in 1970, the family returned to BC where he embarked on a new career with the Provincial Government as a stationary engineer. At the time the family were living in Victoria, but a promotion became available in Nelson where he completed his working career in a management role. Dad became involved in the BCGEU where he was well respected and received an honorary life membership. While in Nelson he was involved in many community organizations and activities. The greatest, all consuming responsibility and joy of his life was running the Nelson and Balfour Duplicate Bridge clubs, which he did well into his 90’s. After years of travelling and moving from place to place, Dad was proud to be a Nelsonite! Dad also maintained contact with many friends from being in the military, living across Canada and in Europe and travelling. In later life he travelled across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

A lifetime Buick devotee, he could be seen driving his 1992 Roadmaster around town and every summer for 40 years he towed a trailer to Manitoba, Victoria and Alberta to visit family.

The Buick was a never-ending point of conversation, given many hours of spit and polish and always with the reminder to “Never slam the doors!”

Dad was modest about his achievements, a voracious reader (which he passed on to many in his family), a very determined personality, stubborn and strong, with a cheeky sense of humour, and was a great tease, often shared with a smile and twinkle in his eyes. He had many stories to tell over his 99 years and he was a great connoisseur of fish and chips and maple walnut ice-cream!

We remember his witty sense of humour which was appreciated by many. He will be remembered by some as the ‘Banjoman’ but more importantly as a soldier and an airman who proudly served his country and loved his Family.

Dad always preferred “long hellos and short goodbyes”.

A real-life hero and our own very special hero.

Survived by children Dawn (Maurice), John (Kim), Penny, Pauline (Scott). Grandchildren: Corey (Lee), Joshua, Jeff (Heather), Matthew (Lara), Erin (Pete), Naomi (Kevin), Leah, Kelly, Shaun, Qwin, and Jessica (Chad). Great-grandchildren: Erica, Mason, Noah, Marcus, Claire, Ella, Evan, Benjamin and Ava

Predeceased by his loving wife Edna, grandson Daniel, and four siblings.

Thank you to the many caregivers and friends who were there for Dad over the last few years.

A gathering of friends and family will be held on a later date. Donations to Our Daily Bread Food Bank or a charity of your choice. click to read more

Deleau, Claris Helen

Mom was born in Carievale, Saskatchewan on May 1, 1923, daughter of Herbert and Pearl Jasper.  She was the youngest of eight children. She passed away on June 2, 2023 at the age of 100 years. The family moved to Manitoba in the early thirties and farmed in the Deleau district. She attended school in Deleau where she met her later to be husband Ab Deleau. They married in 1944 and raised four children while also farming in that area. Al (Brenda) Deleau, Linda (Gil) Van Daele, Bob (Darlene) Deleau and Val (Dexter) Kowalchuk.

She had 13 grand children and partners, 26 great grand children and their partners, and 7 great great grandchildren.

Mom and dad retired to Souris in 1979, and spent 20 winters in Arizona where she was dads biggest cheerleader at all his ball games.

They loved their card games especially crib. She would have your points counted before you had your cards laid down.

After dad passed in 2015 mom lived on her own until her last two months when hospitalized. She kept very active and could be seen briskly walking around Souris with her close friend Vi Barclay.
Mom curled for many years and so enjoyed watching curling on TV especially Brad Gushue (Gutchie).

A private family graveside service will be held at the Souris –Glenwood Cemetery this summer to celebrate her life. In memory of Claris, donations may be made to the Deleau Community Club (New Picnic Shelter) Box 1075 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.

We miss you mom but know you are with dad now.

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