Lang: George Reginald (“Reg”) was born at Coulter, MB on January 16th, 1931 to Frank and Ethel (Murray) Lang in a family of five sons and four daughters. He was predeceased by his wife Jean, his parents, an infant brother Everett, brothers Francis (Sonny) & Murray who were killed in World War 2, brother Andy, sisters Jean Downey, Dorothy Downey Margaret Greaves & Lorraine Richardson, sister-in-law Ila Lang, brother-in-law’s Louis Downey, Leighton Downey, Gerald Greaves &
Stan Hansen: Stan, 91 years, beloved husband of Gerry Hansen, father of Alvin, Kelly and Cara (Alex) Butler, grandfather of Michael and Amanda (Scott) and great grandpa of Lillian. Stan passed away in the Souris Health Centre Home, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. In keeping with Stan’s wishes there will be no funeral service. In memory of Stan, donations may be made to the Souris Health Centre c/o Prairie Mountain Health Box 10 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.
Margaret Irene Tufts (nee Latimer) from Boissevain, Elgin, Souris and then Boissevain again, passed away on January 10, 2023 at the Westview Lodge. Mom passed away peacefully with family right beside her. She was born on January 6, 1928 across the town of Boissevain at 513 Cook Street where her grandmother lived. She managed to see her 95th birthday but was not really well enough to enjoy it, as she passed away four days later.
Margaret’s parents were Wilford and Emma (Hammond) Latimer who lived NW of Boissevain in the Caranton District right beside where the school was situated years later. This was on NW 28-3-20, which was where mom’s grandparents homesteaded in 1881 before the name Boissevain existed. It was Cherry Creek then and is still farmed by the Latimer’s to this day which mom was proud of.
Mom grew up on this farm with her brother Calvin (Dorothy) Latimer, Ida (Don) Chambers, William (Elaine) Latimer. From the farm they were able to walk to Caranton School where they all went to school up to grade eight, then they had to move on to Boissevain High School. Mom used to ride the horse “Babe” into town and leave it in the small barn at 513 Cook Street where her grandmother Margaret (Henderson) Latimer lived. From there she walked up to the big school.
After graduating from high school mom went to Winnipeg to Normal School (teacher training) along with her friend Irma Shorey (later Irma Spratt of Elgin) where they graduated as teachers in 1947. From there mom got a teacher job at Cheval, north of Morden and then onto Elgin where I guess she met Jack Tufts.
Mom and dad were then married November 17, 1951 where they lived on the SW 1/4 16-5-21. This was four miles south of Elgin where they farmed until 1983, then they moved to Souris in 1987.
While on the farm south of Elgin, three children were born. James in 1952, Phyllis in 1954 and Stephen 1963. Jim married Val Armstrong and that was the start of the grandchildren. Daniel (Mandy), Sarah (Cory), Brenda (Troy) and Jeff (Sara). Phyllis married Richard Armstrong and they had Kimberley, Ben (Trina) and Todd. Steve married Lisa Dorrell and they had Hannah (Jarrett) and Lucas. Mom was also very proud of her 18 great grandchildren.
While at the farm mom spent an unreal amount of time planting and hoeing trees around the yard which she continued doing after moving to Souris. At first this was all done by hand but in 1967 dad bought her a garden tractor with a rotor tiller on it, which she wore three engines, and three tillers out on doing the trees and garden with.
She had a huge garden at the farm full of apple trees that she would literally work at until she dropped. The 12 apple trees and garden could not have a weed anywhere and every apple that fell off had to be picked up and used for something like juice or applesauce, apple leather, apple pie or dried. Nothing could be wasted.
This work was fit in between mealtime, which was a number one priority of moms. The family hired men which all had to be fed and you better not be late for dinner. Meals were never just a sandwich it was a three-course meal, which almost everything came from the garden. This was true for the meals she took to the fields in the half-ton truck. No paper plates or plastic cutlery, everything was the same as we used in the house.
After moving to Souris, her large garden there just wasn’t up to her standards, so she made dad haul black topsoil to Souris in the back of his half-ton truck from the farm at Elgin. Then it was some good.
I do not know how they did it but they did spend one night a week square dancing with the Elgin Whitewater Whirlers in the wintertime where they had lots of friends. This led them on a square dancing trip to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, China and Japan. There was also square dancing on Saturday nights, somewhere a carload or two would go to.
On the farm they never really had time to do much camping but after moving to Souris they did have more time for it and did a bit of traveling, but never for too long as there was always work to do.
Mom kept an absolutely spotless house, but her main focus was on food. Growing up as a kid, food was often scarce and mom never forgot that. Ham bones, chicken bones, apples, raspberries, strawberries and anything else that came from the garden was put to good use, never wasting anything. The house in the summer time was always boiling hot inside from stuff boiling on the stove all day long. I do not know how she did it.
She never wasted a minute; she had scrapbooks full of newspaper articles, which are precious to look back on now. She did a calendar every year with all the important birthdays, anniversaries and dates; she tried to do it up to the last year.
Mom never had time for her own kids while we were growing up because she was always working so hard but she did have more time for the grandkids. Unfortunately the same thing happened to us when we took over the farm. Mom and dad did try to go camping with the grandkids as much as they could and never missed a grandchild’s birthday, graduation or anniversary and even kept a book with gifts given to the grandkids. Family and grandkids were everything to her.
After finding their house in Souris too hard to live in, mostly because of dad’s stroke they moved to Victoria Park Lodge which they both said was not going to be their last stop. This turned out to be true for both of them, both moving to a personal care home later on.
Mom was predeceased by her parents Emma and Wilford Latimer, both brothers Calvin and William (Bill) Latimer two days apart in March of 1982, sister Ida Chambers, sister in law Elaine Latimer, husband Jack Tufts, son James Tufts, and grandson Daniel Tufts. Mom found all deaths hard to take, so all friends and relatives that I have not mentioned was very sad and upsetting to mom. She did not like others passing on, but in the end that is what she wanted to do herself.
Funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris, Manitoba on Monday, July 3, 2023. Private interment in the Elgin Cemetery. In memory of Margaret, donations may be made to the Westview Lodge Personal Care Home Boissevain, Manitoba or to St. Paul’s United Church Box 899 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.
It is with sadness that the family of Margaret Edgerton announces her passing on January 1, 2023 at the Souris Personal Care Home. Margaret Delores was born February 3, 1930 at Vidora, Saskatchewan to Clifford and Reta Wiig. She moved throughout Saskatchewan and survived the hardships that came with the 1930’s. Mom was never a person to say that she could not do something. She always found a way to accept it and move ahead. She joined her family in Rivers and then
Averill Whitfield – educator, historian, musical and creative volunteer, mother, Nana, beloved wife and business partner of Ralph – passed away peacefully on December 15, 2022 with family by her side. Averill lives on through her family and the legacy of contributions she made to her community of Souris, Manitoba.
Averill was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Evelyn ‘May’ and George Iliffe on April 2, 1938. She was the baby sister to brothers Jack (Barbara) and Barry ‘Bar’ (Donna). Despite growing up through the Second World War, there was no shortage of inventive and creative fun in the Iliffe house on Niagara Street.
After graduating with an Associate of Manitoba Music – Piano Performer, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba, Averill was hired to teach at Souris Collegiate. She arrived in Souris in 1959 and fell in love with the community, and the local pharmacist, Ralph Whitfield. The two married in 1960 and before they knew it, Ralph and Averill were raising four children while operating their business ventures of Whitfield Drugs, Woodsong Farms Simmental Breeders and Whitfield Enterprises. Averill held the integral roles of business manager and secretary-treasurer and was avidly involved in all aspects of each business, from behind-the-scenes to the front store operations. Her kindhearted nature and cheerful smile welcomed every person who walked through the doors of Whitfield Drugs. She ensured the drugstore staff upheld the standards of customer service, leading by example and reminding them to “Smile through the phone when you answer it”. When Woodsong Farms held the annual bull and female sales, she supported Ralph as hostess, ensuring everyone was well fed at the lunches that she prepared and served, and then oversaw all the cattle transactions.
It is difficult to describe the impact that Averill had on Souris and the greater community of Southwest Manitoba. She was a devoted historian, feminist, nature lover, environmentalist, and infinitely creative with storytelling, writing, music, sets and costumes. The history of Souris is preserved in the Hillcrest Museum and The Plum – 1883 Souris Heritage Church Museum, both of which Averill played an integral part in salvaging from demolition and turning into self-sustaining charitable organizations. Averill wrote a number of musicals for The Plum that depicted the heritage of Souris and surrounding area. It was a great joy for her to bring these stories to life and share community heritage with the young staff of The Plum and with visitors both local and from around the world. Averill chaired the Souris and District Heritage Club from its inception in 1988 for almost 30 years and led the club’s research and procurement processes. This resulted in the full restoration of The Plum, which opened to the public in 1993 as a designated Canadian Heritage site.
Averill was a founding member of the Southwest Trails Association for Regional Tourism – now known as Tourism Westman – where she introduced collaborative marketing strategies to draw tourism to Souris and surrounding municipalities. Through Averill’s time on the Executive of the Souris Figure Skating Club, she directed the annual ice show, chaired the Hobbycraft Sale, and originated the name ‘The Souris Sophistiskates’ for the synchronized skating team. She shared her love of music through teaching music in Souris School as a volunteer for a pilot project until a school music teacher position was created; leading The Merry Wives and the St. Luke’s Anglican Church Choir; writing and directing Christmas concerts and pageants; and organizing endless opportunities for youth to experience the joy of music, such as the Souris Valley Festival for Music and the Arts. In 1968 Averill introduced Brownies to Souris and she subsequently led Girl Guides, Cadets, and Sparks for the next 36 years. She encouraged girls and women to be all-round citizens through the creation of countless opportunities to explore the Girl Guide Motto, Promise and Laws, and later introduced the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. She led camping, wilderness and music training; acts of service such as visits to Victoria Park Lodge to record and publish stories of elders ( “Stories Old and New”, etc.); initiated the town spring clean-up, paper and bottle drives, and water conservation projects. She also promoted international awareness and arranged opportunities to connect with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from other countries. Her mission was to ensure that each Spark, Brownie, Guide and Cadet in her care gained knowledge, confidence and skills to be leaders in their community. Averill is an Honorary Life Member of the Provincial and National Council, Girl Guides of Canada.
Averill always felt that volunteerism was her leisure, that it provided a feeling of time well spent. She received many prestigious awards for her volunteer work but would always gratefully acknowledge the support of the Heritage Club members and fellow volunteers of the Figure Skating Club, Guiding and her family.
Averill was honoured to be recognized as a Brandon YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2011, and to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Ralph and Averill sold their businesses in 2005 and 2006, and slowly shifted into a life of retirement. It seemed that although Averill was supposedly retired, she never really hung up her volunteering hat and stayed involved with the Heritage Club for as long as she could. Ralph and Averill moved into the Souris Personal Care Home in January 2017, where Averill was very happy. She enjoyed activities that included music or singing. Her face would light up to familiar music – Girl Guide songs, The Sound of Music, and hymns. She loved the carols of Christmas.
Averill is survived by her husband Ralph and children Pam Whitfield, Daphne Schmidt (Grant) and Rod Whitfield (Melissa). She is reunited with her late son, Chris, who died December 22, 2008.
Averill and Ralph have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Caleigh Walker Pambrun (Gabriel, with children Evelyne, Kadin and JS), Brynna Walker (Harry Curtin), Seth Walker; Spencer Schmidt and Carissa Schmidt; Reese Whitfield and Benjamin Whitfield.
The family extends sincere appreciation to the staff of the Souris Personal Care Home and Dr. David Cram who cared for Averill during her final years. You showed great kindness, respect and care, so she could live in comfort and joy. Thank you with all our hearts.
Funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris, Manitoba on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 with The Ven. Jonathan Hoskin officiating. Private interment in the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery.
In memory of Averill, donations may be made to the Souris and District Heritage Club c/o Municipality of Souris-Glenwood, PO Box 518, Souris MB, R0K 2C0, or to a local charity of your choice.
Bobiak: Steave, 87 years, beloved father of Jay, Lori, Ava and Steave Junior. Geido to Cloe, Lindsay and Bobbie Jean, passed away suddenly at his residence in Souris, Manitoba on Monday, December 12, 2022. A private service will be held at a later date. In memory of Steave, donations may be made to the Annual Westman Area Traditional Christmas Dinner.
Lippett: Barb, 74 years, beloved wife of Ken Lippett, mother of Corie, passed away in the Souris Personal Care Home on Sunday, December 11, 2022. A memorial service was held at the Crescent Manor Lower Common Room, Souris, Manitoba on Thursday, December 29, 2022. In memory of Barb, donations may be made to the Heart & Strike Foundation.
Baker: Richard, 86 years, beloved husband of Anna Baker, father of Sandi, Wayne, Judy, Cindy and the late Susan, passed away in the Souris Health Centre on Friday, December 9, 2022. In keeping with Richard’s wishes there will be no service. In memory of Richard, donations may be made to the Salvation Army.
Thankful for her extended life, the families of Fern are saddened to announce her passing on December 7, 2022.
Fern was born in Waskada, Manitoba on September 29, 1928 and moved to Souris at the age of 8 with her parents Cecil and Gertrude Stocks and her 3 brothers Mark, Orvel, and Royden. Left to mourn her loss is Orvel. Fern spent the rest of her life in Souris. In her young teenage years, Fern was employed at the Souris Bakeshop and the Souris Airport Base during the war years.
Fern met Reginald Dunbar and they were married in 1949 and then moved to the farm south of Souris. They raised 3 children Connie (Bill), Colin(Karen)and Darcy (Val). Fern’s grandchildren include Shauna (Rob), Kerry (Thora), Travis (Cheyenne), Cale (Ang), Dillon (Erin) and Mylen. Her great grand children were Casey, Hannah, Gage, Freyja, Sonny, Regan, Jaxon and Jett.
Reg passed away in 1977 and Fern remained on the farm for the year and then moved to Souris. Colin then took over the farm. She met up with the family friend and neighbor Rene Fortin. Fern and Rene were married in 1984 and built a new home near the swinging bridge. Together they did lots of travelling and dancing until Rene’s passing. She had two stepsons Norman (Cheryl) and Ron (Joanne) and also step Grandma to Danielle, Whitney, Michael, Dane, Callum, Michelle and Taylor.
Fern loved the farm and worked hard at all aspects of farm life. One of her favorite pastimes was music and signing. She sang in the St. Paul’s United Church Choir for a span of 60 years. She also taught herself to play piano and enjoyed teaching her grandchildren to play along with her. Along with the 3 of her best friends, they formed a signing quartet “Our Girls”. They entertained at the lodges in Souris and Hartney and various events in the area. They performed together for about 30 years.
She will be missed by her immediate family the Dunbar’s and her extended family the Fortin’s as well as many friends in the Souris Community.
If you wish the donate in Fern’s memory, her wish was to support St. Paul’s United Church, Box 899, Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 or the Souris Personal Care Home c/o Prairie Mountain Health Box 10, Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.
“Her laugh, her smile, her spirit lives on forever”
Funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris, on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Private interment in the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery.
Kohut: It is with deepest sorrow, we announce the passing of Steven Donald Kohut at the age of 48 years (June 26, 1974). Our beloved son, brother, father and partner passed away on November 27, 2022.
Steven will be missed by his children Dawn and Brendan, father Don (Carol) Kohut and mother Lynn Taylor. Siblings Michael (Kelly) Kohut, Jeffrey Kohut, Ryan Taylor and Danielle Taylor. Step sisters Donna and Bridget, nephew Jadin, Jeramie, Jesse, Jaxon and Issac, niece Rayne and his partner Tasha Swaenepoel and her children Jayda, Ryder and Elyas, her grandson Matthias.
Steven loved the farming life, hunting, fishing and sports. Driving semi trucks was Steve’s choice of employment. Steven was a long time resident of Souris, Manitoba and was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
A private funeral service was held at Kowalchuk’s Funeral Chapel. A public memorial reception will be held at the Souris & Glenwood Community Hall on Friday, December 9, 2022. Private interment in the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery. In memory of Steve, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.