Robinson, Lewis Gordon

( June 9, 1916~October 24, 2012)

Robinson — Lewis Gordon, Lewis Gordon Robinson, passed away on October 24, 2012 at the age of 96.   Hartney Community Health Centre was his home for the last nine years, and it was there that he peacefully left this life with family and caregivers at his side. Gordon was born on the home farm on June 9, 1916 to Hillyard and Maggie Robinson.  Gordon’s grandparents, Cuthbert and Eliza Robinson and Robert and Maria Turnbull were homesteaders in the Whitewater District south of Hartney. Gordon and his siblings attended Whitewater School and went on to complete Grade 11 in Hartney. In the winter months, the Robinson children stayed with their grandparents in town to attend high school.  Gordon chose to farm with his family, where he continued his learning. He learned from his family and his neighbors, from reading and experience, and often he said he learned from his mistakes!  He would often recall stories of a happy childhood spent hunting rabbits, enjoying the horses, skating and jam pail curling on ponds and the Souris River, spending memorable times at family gatherings with the Robinson, Turnbull and Lamont families.  In December of 1945, Gordon married Beryle Larson, the daughter of Gilbert and Coral Larson of Westhope, North Dakota.  He and Beryle made their home and raised their two children on the same farm where he had grown up.   Gordon loved his family, his faith, his farm and his community.  His life on the farm spanned many changes in agriculture. As a child and young adult they farmed with horses, and in 1936 horses led to steam power, then to gas and diesel power.  Gordon was a good caregiver of his equipment, his herd of cattle and enjoyed nothing more than putting up hay in the hay meadow while watching the cows and calves graze on the hills.  Having family at the farm was a great way to spend a day. Gordon taught his children and grandchildren about the soil, the plants and animals, safety, and the joys of planting and harvest. He has passed the love of the farming on to his children and grandchildren.  Community and people were important to Gordon.  He said he always had good neighbors.   Serving as a trustee for many years for the Whitewater and Hartney Schools, being on the Hartney Hospital board, and canvassing the neighborhood for the Canadian Red Cross were jobs he enjoyed.  Gordon took good care of his wife and his family, and would always help anyone in need.  He loved to visit and loved a good laugh!  Gordon enjoyed a long and healthy life, enabling him to farm until he was 87 years of age. In the fall of 2002, some health issues arose.  After some time spent in hospital, and living with family, he joined Beryle in the Hartney Community Health Centre where he was very much “at home” as she had been there since 1996.  He was always eager to come out for supper or to spend some time at the farm, but he also loved doing all the activities at the nursing home and made the very best out of his years in town.  Gordon is survived by his son Don (Kathy) Robinson of Winnipeg and daughter Lori (Jim) Denbow of Souris; six grandchildren, Michael (Melissa) Robinson and great grandson Eric of Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia , David (Shauna) Robinson of Winnipeg,  Gillian (Brandt) Harvey of Winnipeg, Kate Denbow of Calgary, Alanna Denbow and Jeff Denbow of Souris. He is also survived by two nieces Donna (Lyle) Manary of Sherwood Park and Barb (Wally) Strang of Edmonton; his Manary great-nieces and their families; Beryle’s surviving sister, Barbara Bjornson of Vancouver; her nieces and nephews Don Skadeland, Alyce Kessler and Betty Bergantzel, Judy Ketterling, Jim and Bryon Smith, Bruce and Nancy Larson, Cathy Berkowitz, and their families; several cousins; and a host of friends.  He was predeceased by his wife Beryle in October of 2006; his parents, Hillyard and Maggie, aunts and uncles; a brother, Charles, in childhood, his brother Stewart and wife Doris; two sisters Margaret and Marion Robinson. He was also predeceased by Beryle’s parents Gilbert and Coral, two sisters-in-law, Berniece Skadeland and Beulah Damstrom, and brother-in-law Reg Larson.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 3 at 1:30 in the Centennial Centre, Hartney, MB.  Interment took place in the Riverside Cemetery.  For those wishing, a donation in Gordon’s memory may be given to the Hartney Community Health Centre where both Gordon and Beryle were so kindly cared for by all the staff.