Sharon Lorraine Evans was born to Maurice and Joyce (Latimer) Wittevrongel on August 3, 1952 and passed on November 3, 2024. Joyce had polio when Sharon was born and was in an iron lung in Winnipeg until Sharon was 13 months old. During this time, she lived with her aunt Margret Claude.
Growing up on the family farm south of Treherne she attended Boyne Creek school for grade one. She moved to school in Treherne when Boyne Creek was closed. Sharon joined 4-H Beef and Home Ec. Clubs when she was 8 years old. Her participation continued her entire life in multiple different roles, both as a member and leader of 32 years.
In 1966 the high school students from Holland joined Treherne where she met Bruce Evans. Sharon was smitten, and their love story began. After graduating from high school, Sharon went to Red River Community College to take junior accounting while Bruce stayed home to farm with his parents. They were engaged on April 17th, 1971. The big joke was Bruce had to pay for the bull and the baler before he could buy her a ring.
On February 12, 1972 they were married and moved to a trailer on the Evans farm near Holland. Sharon worked at CIBC as a teller while Bruce worked on the farm as they started their family. Darwin was born in 1975 and Keith followed in 1977.
With the selling of the family farm they moved to Elgin in 1978 where Bruce went to work for Keith and Diane Laughland at Underhill and Sharon babysat for some of the families in Elgin. She began working one day a week with Dr. Bourassa at Total Eye Care in Souris, where she remained for many years. They moved to Hartney in August 1982. Sharon continued her job with Dr. Bourassa and at the same time also started working at the Hartney Co-op. Trisha was born in 1983 and Kimberly was born in 1984. As the family grew older, Bruce and Sharon became very involved in all activities in which their children were involved. Many hours were spent at the rink and on the ball diamonds with the kids.
Sharon loved the community of Hartney, which was shown through her volunteer efforts. She always said if you were going to have an opinion, you better roll up your sleeves and volunteer. Sharon participated in many community groups and was the secretary or treasurer for a number of them. She was always happiest when she had something to plan or organize and could be counted on to have detailed lists of what needed to be done.
When the restaurants in town closed, Sharon and Claris Isabey worked together to convert Claris’ flower shop into the Red Door Café, which they ran together with their husbands for 5+ years. Never one to sit still, Sharon opened her home daycare shortly after, looking after dozens of children until present day. During this time, the family was also host to exchange students from Mexico and Columbia. She was fondly known as ‘Grandma’ to dozens of children, and there was always room at the table for more. Her extended chosen family included the Filipino community of Hartney, who she happily helped to gather furniture for as they brought their families to town.
Sharon’s love for her family was as the heart of she was. She had a special bond with each of her children and was proud of their accomplishments.
Darwin married Sharon Rauch, and have two children, Tyler and Morgan. Sharon loved to follow their sports and school events and looked forward to their visits each year, both in Hartney and visiting them in Ottawa when she was able.
Keith always checked on his Mom, and she loved when he would come to visit her and tease her daycare kids at lunch time. She looked forward to having him for supper, catching up on what he was doing at work or with the Elks, Fire Department, Rink Committee or the Hartney Blues hockey team.
Sharon loved her time with Trisha and Ken, welcoming Ken’s children Max and Dominic into the family. She would find projects for Ken to do and would spend hours with Trisha on the phone as she commuted for work.
Kimberly married Fernando Magalhaes, whose children Mia and Nico provided her endless amounts of entertainment. Sharon was thrilled when they made the move from Calgary back to Brandon in January of 2021 to be closer to Grandma and Grandpa. She enjoyed the daily video calls, but looked most forward to the weekends they would spend together camping, crafting, and watching the kids’ activities. She was so proud of Kim when she was awarded a Top 4 under 40 award from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce in May 2024.
Sharon was a remarkable woman who has left a legacy of compassion, caring, and service to others. One of her last acts of service was to create a bursary to be awarded annually to a graduating student of Hartney School who is furthering their education in health care.
The family expresses its gratitude for the care provided by Dr. Cram and the staff at Souris Health Centre, the Home Care personnel, and Dr. Robinson and the staff at Women’s Hospital at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
Funeral service was held at the Centennial Centre Hartney, Manitoba on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Interment in the Riverside Cemetery, Hartney. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honour to the Hartney Swimming Pool or Hartney & Area Arena both donations are to be made payable to the Municipality of Grassland Box 399 Hartney, Manitoba R0M 0X0.
Bruce and family. We r so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. She will be missed by your family and friends and the community of Hartney. She was a vital part of several committees.cherish your memories
Dear Bruce and Family
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May all your wonderful memories be a comfort to you.
My love to all
Doreen Latimer
Sharon will be missed by the Hartney community but especially by her her family. Doug and I are extending deepest sympathy and are thinking of you all.
Bruce and family, please accept our deepest sympathy on Sharron’s passing. She is gone but will never be forgotten by many.
To Bruce and family
So sorry for your loss.
Bryan and Pat Jamieson
Bruce and family, we are so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Our deepest sympathies Bruce, Darwin, Keith, Trisha, Kim, and your families.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers as we will be unable to attend the services.
Sending our condolences to all affected by the loss of Sharon. May memories and time help you face the days ahead with some comfort. Take care.
Bruce & Family
We were so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. She leaves a big void in the community.
We’re thinking of you all at this sad time.
My deepest sympathies to the Evans Family on the passing of Sharon.
Bruce and family
Jack and I were very sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. Sharon was a very active community member and will be missed by one and all that knew her. Keep your fondest memories close to your hearts Our memories are ours to cherish
Bruce and Family,
Sympathy on the recent loss of your dear Wife and Mom, Sharon.
Her lifelong commitment to her family, friends and Hartney community will no doubt be a lasting legacy to her.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult moment.
Fred & Sandra King
Bruce and family. Our sincere condolences to all of you. Cherish the memories. Linda and Claude Rainville
Please accept my sincere condolences. Sharon was a delight to meet at St. Luke’s for services or during our fundraising efforts like making our chocolate church mice or hosting coffee parties .We will all miss her terribly when we do these events in the future. RIP Sharon and God bless the family and friends who grieve for you.
Bruce and family, please accept our sincerest condolences of Sharon. WE are thinking of you during this time
Condolences from the Cram Family
Bruce, we were so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and all your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Allan and Colleen Steinke
My deepest sympathy, Bruce & Family. I was sadden to hear of Sharon’s passing. She was such a pleasant lady. I met her a so many community events where I’m sure she’ll be great missed as also by her husband & family.
Carol Stairs
Thoughts and prayers to Bruce and the family.
Sincerest Sympathy
Brian Brenda Green
Our deepest sympathies Bruce and family on the passing of Sharon. Our thoughts are with you. Betty and Craig
Our deepest condolences to Bruce and and family as well as all those who knew and loved Sharon. We only spent a few years in Hartney however Sharon was truly someone who made us feel welcome. We enjoyed “street” visits with Sharon and Bruce if we happened to be outside and they would stop by. You can tell my reading all the comments here and on FB that she definitely had an impact on many lives. I am sure she will continue to do so.
Our deeper sympathy to all Sharon’s family. Cherish the wonderful memories and may they bring you comfort at this very difficult time and in the days ahead.
Bruce, Kim, Trisha, Darwin and Keith we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We have many wonderful Hartney memories. Sharon was a great community person and a dear friend to our family. Hold your memories close because she kept you all close to her. Big hugs to you all.
Bruce, I am so sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself. My condolences to all the family. I know Sharon was a super woman.
Bruce and family though we’ve never been in touch much your family has always been remembered So sorry you had to loose a wonderful spouse and mother of your children May the memories carry you through this difficult time
My condolences bruce and your family.
Our sincere condolences to the Evan’s family on Sharon’s passing. She will be missed.
Sharon has been such a positive force in so many lives! She raised a great family and has been blessed by numerous grandchildren both related by blood and those that chose to call her Grandma.
We will miss Sharon and all her labours that enriched the lives of those around her.
However, I am confident that she has just gone ahead, so she can prepare a place in Heaven to warmly greet her friends and family when the time is right!
For the Evans family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bruce and family so sorry for your loss. She was a force to be reckoned with . Full of love for her family , and all the hearts she touched in the world around her . We had lots of great talks about 4h and all the people that connected us as leaders . Gone from this world but not from our thoughts and hearts . Big hugs from Ian and Donna McKay
I am very sorry to hear about Sharon’s passing. I will remember the good times during your Holland days.
Our sympathy to you Bruce and family!
So sorry ,and shocked to hear of Sharon’s death! She leaves a big hole in the “ Wittevrongel” family. Always cheerful and making sure everything ran smoothly.
I know she leaves an even bigger hole in the lives of Bruce and their children.
All my sympathy to all of you!
Anna Maes-Sarrasin
My deepest sympathy to Bruce and family.
Our sincere condolences to Bruce and Family.
Dear Bruce and family,
Such a great person your Sharon was -all the community will talk about her contributions for years and as a family your special memories will live on.
We’re sorry not to be able to join you tomorrow but will honour her with our thoughts and prayers. Sharon has earned her peace.
Dear Bruce and Family, My deepest sympathy to all of you. Sharon contributed so much to the community of Hartney and especially to the United Church. As I ministered in Hartney, Lauder and Dand, Sharon was a great supporter of my ministry for which I am always grateful. No job was too big for Sharon – treasurer, record-keeper, fund-raiser if it needed done in the church, Sharon did it.
I am sorry I cannot attend the service to celebrate a life well-lived, but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Well done, good and faithful servant. Sincerely, Beth McLean
Our Family has lost a Beautiful Cousin~ Beautiful Soul
We were so Blessed to have shared Sharon’s life with her ~ So sad to lose her
Our Deepest Condolences to Bruce & Family
Shirley, Tom & Family & All Sharon’s loved ones
~ Edwin & Anita & Family
Sending my sincere condolences to all of Sharon’s family. She was so proud of all of you and cherished each one. Sharon was a dedicated volunteer and will be missed equally by her family and the community. Rest in peace.
Bruce, I am so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. You have both been through such a struggle. Sharon will really be missed by the Hartney community.
Bruce and family, I am sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. She was an amazing lady and will be missed immensely by you and family as well as the community. I remember Sharon from high school and 4H
Marj (Catt) Bennetts