Phillips, Clare (Buster) Russell

Buster, 91 years, beloved husband of the late Donna Phillips, father of Ed, Jim and Rick. Buster passed away at the Deloraine Hospital on October 23, 2024. A graveside funeral service for family and friends was held at the Riverside Cemetery, Hartney, Manitoba on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 followed by a  fellowship at the Hartney Centennial Centre. In memory of Buster, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.

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Perrin, Iris Matilda

Iris Matilda Perrin (nee Clark)                                    September 28, 1922 – September 16, 2024

It is with sadness and much love that the family announces the passing of Iris Matilda Perrin, just 12 days shy of her 102nd birthday. She was a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother & friend.

She was predeceased by her parents Millie & Wilfred, husband, Douglas (2007) and son, Larry (2008). She will be remembered by her children, Lorne

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Phair, Howard Samuel

September 15, 1931 – April 13, 2024

Howard was born September 15, 1931 to Vera (Goforth) and William James Phair. The dirty 30’s was a hard time, but Howard learned at an early age to be self sufficient. As a young boy he delivered newspapers, delivered groceries and worked for local farmers. He often boasted about working all summer long at a very young age to buy his mom a cookstove. At age 15, Howard and his brother Richard left for Winnipeg. There he worked at a drugstore until

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Parsons, Helen Alice

Helen, 84 years, beloved wife of the late W.S. (Bill) Parsons, mother of George and Deborah, passed away in Hartney, Manitoba on December 11, 2023. A funeral service was held at the Old English Church, Hartney Manitoba on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Private interment in the Napinka Cemetery. In memory of Helen, donations may be made to the Old English Church Hartney, Manitoba.

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Parham, Anne

Anne Parham (nee Kohut), age 104, passed away on October 21, 2023 in the Souris Personal Care Home, from complications arising from a fall.   Anne was born in 1919 on the family farm in Rosa, Manitoba, the fourth child of six and the only daughter born to Ukrainian immigrants Samuel and Tatiana Kohut.  

In 1929, the family resettled to a farm south of Souris.  Ukrainian was Anne’s first language, but she quickly learned English attending Souris School and later, Lily School south of

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Powell, Gordon

Gordon Llewelyn Powell

Gordon Powell, beloved husband of the late Noreen (Kitchen) Powell, father of Terry, Brenda, Sandra, Rhonda and Brian, passed away peacefuly in his sleep in Strathmore, Alberta on Friday, July 22, 2022 at the age of 88.

He was born in Souris in 1934 to L.B. “Chappie” Powell and Hattie (Rose) Powell, the second of their two sons. He is predeceased by his wife Noreen, father Chappie, mother Hattie, brother Lyle and grand daughter Kristin Knodel.

Gordon was raised on the family homestead farm 5 miles north west of Souris, attended Wolflea country school and graduated from Souris High School. After high school Gordon worked for the CPR out of Souris. In 1958-59 he took teacher training at Brandon University and then taught school in Souris for 6 years. He worked as assistant secretary treasurer for Souris-Glenwood and then as secretary treasurer for the Souris Consolidated School Division. Through this time he also assisted his father Chappie on the family farm.

In 1973, he began farming full time. He was involved with raising cattle, hay and field crops on the farm originally homesteaded in 1882 by his great grandfather, Thomas Powell. Besides producing some good cattle, his farming exploits provided both entertainment and humour for friends and neighbours.

Gordon demonstrated an exceptional life long commitment to his family, community, province and country. He was keenly involved with numerous boards, committees, and organizations. In school he was president of the student council. He served as town alderman, ambulance attendant, superintendent of St. Luke’s Sunday school, Little league manager, coach and secretary treasurer, secretary of Souris Advisory Planning committee, Charter member of Hillcrest Museum, Souris River Round Table, Board of Victoria Park Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, Souris Drop In Center, member of the District Health Advisor Council, member of Royal Canadian Legion #60, to name just some of his involvements.

Throughout the years, Gordon’s focus was continually on the welfare of the people of his community and good government. He was extremely personable and interacted with many people, …. almost everyone. A trip to the post office, the corner store, Ferg’s, pharmacy, shoppers mall in Brandon usually converted into an extended social event.

He had exceptional recall of local history, local families, people and who and where people were. If someone’s Souris ancestor played for the NHL – Brooklyn Americans, he remembered. If your uncle moved to the Okanagan in 1950 after the war, he remembered what town he moved to. If you told him your farm location, he could probably tell you who homesteaded it. If you went to school in Souris, he could probably tell you the names of some of your classmates.

He followed a range of sports, hockey, curling, and baseball. In his younger years he played and really enjoyed baseball and hockey. He loved conversation; sports and politics and local lore over crib or bridge was always great. Especially with a good cup of tea.

Gordon and Noreen are survived by their five children and their families. Terry & Bev Powell of Brandon, Manitoba Brenda & Keith Knodel of Medicine Hat, Alberta Sandra & George Hamel of Sherwood Park, Alberta Rhonda & Denis Mousseau of Olds, Alberta Brian & Shannon Powell of Olds, Alberta Eleven grandchildren and their families. Loni Powell, Anna (Powell) and Brian Grant, Tom Powell, Nick Powell and Brittany Powell, Meg (Hamel) and Jeff LeGatt, Jeff Hamel, Sharla (Hamel) and Dusan Jakovljevic, Evan Mousseau, Dayle Mousseau, Samantha Powell and Statia Powell. Nine great grandchildren Rowan Powell, Liam and Brody Grant, Leevye and Lily Powell, Emery and Cohen LeGatt, Lela and Alek Jakovljevic.

And two sister in laws and their families Dolly Powell and Ruth Martin.

Dad and his family were very fortunate to be able to spend many days with family gatherings and visits over the years. He was very proud of his family and he will be missed sorely missed by all of us.

The notes that have come in since Dad has passed, paint the picture of who he was. He was personable, caring, and loved to smile. Always enjoyed a joke, a conversation, a card game, always with a cup of tea.

A memorial service and reception for Gordon was held on Friday, September 30, 2022 at St. Paul’s  United Church, Souris, Manitoba.

In memory of Gordon, donations may be made to the Souris Museum.

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Phillips, Ernest Henry “Sam”

It is with heavy hearts, the family announces the death of Ernest Henry “Sam” Phillips. With family at his side, Sam passed away January 5, 2022 in the Souris Health Centre at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Florence and his sons; Steven (Sharon) and Scott (Keri). Also mourning his loss are his sisters; Marie, Betty and Janette, and his brother, George, and their families. He will be sorely missed by his sisters-in-law, Leona, Dorothy, Marguerite and Janice, and his brother-in-law, Bob, and their families. A public graveside service was held at the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery; Souris, Manitoba on Wednesday January 12, 2022. In memory of Sam, donations may be made to the Souris Hospital Palliative Care Fund, Souris Health Centre, Souris Minor Sports or a charity of your choice. “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss.

Video of Sam Phillips Service available click here click to read more

Polwarth, James Allan

James Allan Polwarth ‘Al’ was born on a farm north of Melita (previously Broomhill) in June of 1927; the only child of Jim and Jean Polwarth.  Dad started school in Broomhill, although he admitted he was not a regular attendee and went as far as Grade 8.

Dad worked as a grain buyer for Ogilvie Elevators, later sold to Manitoba Pool Elevators, until he moved to Souris in November of 1949.  He applied to work as a trainman in Minnedosa, but was told there was more opportunity in Souris throughout the winter months.  It wasn’t steady work, so Al worked part-time driving and delivering coal for Buscarlet Transfer.  He met his future wife and best friend, Lauree Stonehouse, and built a new home in town in time for the wedding in June of 1955.

Between 1957 and 1959, diesel power came for the Canadian Pacific Railway, which lessened the number of jobs during this time.  Dad took employment with the Souris Creamery, delivered Bonnie Brae products, and worked carpentry with the late Harold Johnson Construction.  By this time, mom and dad had started a family: Ian was born in March of 1957, Colleen in January of 1959 and Vonna in July of 1960.  At this point, they realized that railroading was not going to be a steady income and in 1959, the family purchased a farm in the country, including a home in disrepair.  The snowstorm of 1959 was one of the worst winters in history and unfortunately, they had no fences or corrals raised, or any feed stored.  In the spring of 1960, Harold Johnson and Dad started renovating the old farmhouse – new shingles, replaced windows and doors, new siding and cupboards, and a water system.  The family moved to the farm that summer once the repairs were done.

In 1961, Dad also entered the trucking business by hauling cattle to Brandon and surrounding areas.  He quit the railroad in 1967 to focus on farming:  cattle, pigs, chickens, cows and continued hauling.  By the mid 1970s, the trucking business had become a full-time enterprise and Mom was not only a homemaker but bookkeeper for Polwarth Transport Ltd.  In 1981, they sold the farm but retained 33 acres, and subsequently build a new house and large shed.  Mom and Dad retired in 1996 and sold the family business.  You couldn’t go anywhere with Dad where he didn’t meet someone he knew from his truck driving days, as he was a regular at the Brandon Livestock Yard.  Mom and Dad both believed that to have locals patronize the business, you supported local.  Unfortunately, Mom was diagnosed with cancer in 1996 and Ian as well in 1998.  Ian passed away in 2001 at the age of 44 and Mom in 2002 at the age of 73.

Dad met Lillian Strain in 2006, and quickly became good friends and companions over the last 15 years.  Dad and Lil spent their time travelling; vacations in Victoria where they first met, a bus trip to Nashville and flew to Halifax where they joined an Atlantic bus trip.  They enjoyed driving to Brandon for supper and a movie, and frequented the Morden Corn and Apple Festival.  Dad would never turn down one of Lil’s home-cooked meals, and together they had the nightly ritual of Jeopardy.  Dad always wanted to return to his roots, so he and his daughters travelled to Scotland and Denmark and on another occasion joined Vonna and John to Las Vegas.  Over the years, Dad enjoyed his weekly golf games with his buddies, was a tireless Lions member and served two terms as a councilor for the Town of Souris.

Dad’s hearing in his later years wasn’t so good.  His father passed away at the age of 99 and suffered the same fate, refusing to wear hearing aids.  At that time, the technology for hearing assistance wasn’t as advanced, so Dad would roll up a piece of paper into a funnel and put it into grandpa’s ear to talk to him.  That gave his children ammunition to threaten Dad as he knew what they would do if he didn’t adapt to the changes needed as he aged.

In May of 2010, Dad purchased a house in the town of Souris and subsequently sold the farm in July of 2011.  He decided to sell that home in 2016 and moved into the Crescent Manor a couple of blocks away.  In early 2020, his health declined such that he was admitted to Souris Hospital until a room became available in the Minnedosa Personal Care Home, closer to his daughter Colleen.  In April of 2021, Al had a fall in hospital and although the surgery was a success, he never quite recovered.  His mantra was “I eat good, I sleep good, and I feel good… and I still have my memory”, which was so positive considering his dementia.  He may not have remembered what he ate for lunch, but he always knew his daughters, sons-in-law and their children, and continually asked about them by name.  He always voiced his belief that he had a good life and admitted to a few close calls over the years.  Dad adapted to all the changes in his life well; from improving technology, or farmhouse to a house in town, to apartment living, and finally the care home.

Predeceasing Al was Lauree, Ian, mom’s sister and her husband, Eleanor and Glen Henderson, and mom’s brother, Fred.  Surviving are two daughters and their respective families: Colleen and her husband Stew, and their three children Morgan and her partner Stephen, Gillian and Matthew; Vonna and her husband John, and their two children Frank (sons Dylan and Jaxen) and George and his wife Deidra (son Rylan).  In addition, he is survived by Fred’s widow, Hazel, and mom’s sister, Mary Lynn, and nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank those at Congregate Meals in Crescent Manor for the wonderful meals and for letting Dad finish the jello.  This service is so important to those who are not able to prepare a nourishing meal for themselves.  As well, a thank you to the staff at Souris Hospital, Minnedosa Hospital, Brandon Hospital Acute floor and Minnedosa Personal Care Home for their care and support.

A funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris, on Saturday, September 11, 2021 with a private interment in the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery. In Memory of Al, donation may be made to the Hillcrest Museum Box 1287 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 or to the Souris Railroad Museum c/o Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.In memory of Al, donations may be made to the Souris Hillcrest Museum Box 1287 Souris Manitoba R0K 2C0 or to the Souris Railroad Museum c/o Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0. click to read more

Penner, Heather Lee

Penner: Lee (Hatch), 77 years, beloved wife of Eric Penner, mother of Kelsey, Trever and Ryan, passed away in the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Monday, August 9, 2021 after a life well and fully lived. A celebration of her life was held at the Oak Lake Community Hall, Oak Lake, Manitoba on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Interment in the Oak Lake Cemetery followed by a time of refreshments and fellowship at the Oak Lake Community Hall. In memory of Lee, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba. click to read more

Page, Myrtle Lily

Myrtle Lily Page, age 98 passed away peacefully on April 26, 2021 in Souris.

Myrtle was born June 8, 1922 on her parent’s farm in the Brandon Hills. While growing up there she attended Delton School. On March 25, 1944 she married Alfred (Fred) Page of Beresford, Manitoba. They farmed in the Brandon Hills and then south of Beresford.

Three daughters survive Myrtle: Frances (Don) Dodds, Eunice (Ed) Dewhurst, and Marjorie Page. Also surviving Myrtle are daughter-in-law Arlene Page, 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her husband, Fred in 1975, her son John in 2020, her parents Robert and Catherine Lindsay, her 10 brothers and sisters and their spouses predeceased her.

Myrtle was active in the community. She belonged to the United Church Women, was a life member of the Women’s Institute and belonged to the Fellowship Club in Souris.

Mom had a large garden, raised poultry, and kept herself busy sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Mom liked to play old-time music on the organ and listen to the bagpipes. She liked watching sports live and on television until her eyesight failed her. Mom liked playing games with the kids. She was the first one under the Christmas tree to find gifts for everyone to open.

Mom spent the last nine years of her life in the Souris Personal Care Home. The staff became her second family and she enjoyed visiting and joking with them. We thank them for that. Visits with her family were always enjoyed.

A family funeral service was held at the Souris-Glenwood Cemetery on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 with Rev. Harvey Hurren officiating. Pallbearers were Gerry, Jeff, and Andrew Dodds, Chris Page, Cole Kirkup, and Barry Good.

Rest in Peace Mom.

Special thanks to Dr. Cram, staff at the Souris personal Care home, Kowalchuk’s Funeral Home, and Rev. Harvey Hurren. In memory of Myrtle, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

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