Funeral service will be held on Friday, April 12 at Morden Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with interment to follow at Southside Cemetery, Morden. Viewing at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden on Thursday from 1-6:00PM and at the church prior to the service. Memorial donations to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
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Betty Lesher, 96, of Cavalier, ND, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024, at Lilac Homes Memory Care, Dilworth, MN. All are welcome to attend the Celebration of Life service on April 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Trinity Methodist Church in Cavalier, ND. She will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Cemetery, Concrete, ND. She was a wonderful woman with a beautiful smile and was loved by all. Beatrice (Betty) Yvonne Carlson was born on October 2, 1927, to Harry and Alpha (Olson) Carlson in Walhalla, ND upstairs at Dr. Landry’s home. She grew up and attended a one-room country school in Concrete, ND. She babysat and worked for room and board while going to High School in Cavalier, ND. She worked in the Auditor’s office and the Register of Deeds in the Pembina County Courthouse. June 13, 1948, she married Harry Barclay Lesher Jr. at the Concrete Methodist Church. They had 4 children: Lee, Peggy, Ruth, and Tammy. Harry and Betty lived and farmed near Concrete for nearly 50 years where they raised their children. Betty taught Sunday school, was in Ladies Aid, and played the piano at the Concrete Methodist Church. She enjoyed puzzling in the winter months. She found a creative way to dry her hair in the summer months: you knew what she was doing when she climbed on the 3-wheeler in curlers. Betty and Harry both loved their family, friends, dancing, hosting summer parties, going to horse shows, the fair, sharing coffee and homemade goodies with family and friends. They traveled the world visiting family and friends. Betty frequently said, “Family is everything to me.” Betty and Harry moved from the farm to Cavalier in 2000. Betty was active in Dorcas Circle and LRE at the Cavalier Methodist church. After enjoying 55 years of marriage together, her dance partner passed in August of 2003. She is survived by her children: Lee (Gloria) Lesher, Peyton, CO; Peggy (Gary) Lepire, Walhalla, ND/Mesa, AZ; Ruth (Dan) Knoblich, Dent, MN; Tammy Lesher; grandchildren: Todd (Jess) Lesher, Scott Lesher, Tanya (Dan) Ehler, Cassandra (Tom) Kraus, Katie (Chris) Swailes, Justin Knoblich, Laura (Nathan) George, Brian Shetley; and 11 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband: Harry Lesher; parents: Harry and Alpha (Olson) Carlson; siblings: Alan Carlson, Don Carlson, and Doris Otto; son-in-law: Dan Shetley; and grandson: Christopher Lepire. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Faith in Action, P.O. Box 458, Cavalier, ND 58220; Oaklawn Cemetery in Concrete, ND, Jeff & Cori Harildstad, 12684 92nd St NE, Cavalier, ND 58220; or Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, 61 Borg Dr, Mountain, ND 58262. Special thank you to Tammy Thorlakson for caring so well for our wonderful Mom. Another special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Lilac Homes Memory Care. Thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, Country Estates, and Wedgewood Manor. Smile from the heart as Betty did and the world will smile back at you! Shirley K. Hovdeness, 78 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Sanford on Broadway in Fargo ND. There will be a gathering of family and friends on Friday, April 5, 2024 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Shirley will be on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake followed by a time of fellowship in the church dining hall. Fern G. Dammen, 66 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Services for Fern will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with burial to follow in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Her ashes will be buried with her Mom. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 04, at 2:00 PM at Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church. Public viewing at Wiebe Funeral Home, WInkler on Wednesday from 1-6:00PM . Interment prior to the service at Winkler Cemetery at 1:00PM. Memorial donations to Boundary Trails Health Centre - Designated to Palliative Care or Katies Cottage. On March 31st 2024 at Boundary Trails Health Center, Elma Marie Friesen (nee Fehr) aged 85 years was released from this life and called to her eternal home where she so longed to be with her Lord and Savior and to be reunited with her husband Isaac L Friesen and her son Evan James. Elma was born to John and Katherina Fehr on September 29th 1938. The youngest of 7 children whom are all in heaven with her! Mom first noticed Dad while at a baseball game. Nuenburg school against the Schanzenfeld school. Dad was a left handed pitcher which I guess she found attractive. We’re not sure when they started dating but when she brought Dad home to meet her parents, her dad later asked her, “vot vast du mat zouna zeura gurk?”. What do you want with such a sour cucumber? Well she ended up marrying that zoura gurc and they were married for 59 years! Life wasn’t always easy for them. The tragic loss of their little boy was devastating but by the grace of God and their strong faith in him they were able to work through their loss. Mom worked hard, she cleaned hard. I’m Pretty sure dad’s farm equipment was the cleanest in the village. She often bragged about the certificate she got from the Manitoba Dairy farmer association for having the cleanest milk room. Our mom loved hard and also worried hard. She loved her children and grandchildren so very much and told us often as I’m sure she’s told many of you!Sometimes we questioned how sincere her “I love you” was as even the telemarketers would get the occasional “I love you!” When us kids were grown up she went back to school to get her health care diploma and spent 11 years employed at Eden health center where she made many long lasting friends. Mom was very involved in the Bergthaler church as a Sunday school teacher, pioneer girls pal and a deacon along side dad. Mom was also a faithful volunteer at the MCC. I’m sure her and her friends worked hard but I also know they had a lot of fun! Mom loved to have fun and was a pretty crazy lady! She loved acting in many low German dramas and having fun with her friends. She loved the yearly camping weekend at lilac with the schanzenfeld group. Her craziness was quite evident when she slid down the water slides head first when she clearly knew the rule was feet first and almost got kicked out of the pool! Not sure whose idea that was, hers or Leona’s! We had to add this story as her wishes were that her eulogy had some craziness to it! We could go on but her other wish was to keep it short. When dad passed away in 2019, Mom was never quite the same. She missed him so much as he was her biggest support. On Saturday January 27th she was admitted to boundary trails with severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, at which time she looked at me and said “see I told you I was sick!” She was at peace with the diagnosis. We as a family would like to thank Dr.Jordan Kroeker for taking care of our mom. I think some of our monthly visits were just so she could chat. Thank you to the palliative care team who took care of mom. To the nurses, doctors,healthcare aides, palliative care nurse Blake Derksen… thank you just doesn’t seem enough. You took care of our mom with the utmost respect and compassion. Thank you to Pastor Victor Engbrecht and Pastor Dean Huber for walking along side us and being a support to our parents. To Wiebe’s funeral Home for your compassion. To all those who supported us through this difficult time, we say thank you! There’s so many people who have been an important part of our mom’s life. There’s just too many to name but I do want to mention two ladies who lived on her floor at Buhler. Mrs. Mary Wiebe and Mrs.Helen Guenther. You were a gift from God. Your love and support for our mom helped her and myself so much. She loved you dearly. Thank you for allowing me into your knitting circle. Mom leaves to mourn her passing, her oldest son Howard (wife Eleanor) Josh, Mark and Bettina. Son Warren (wife Robyn) Chloe and Fisher, Abbey and Adam. Daughter Heather (husband Bob) Katelyn and Edwin, Beth and Jason. Brother’s in law John L Friesen and wife Anne , Abe L Friesen and wife Helen. Irvin Friesen and wife Sandra, sister in law Shirley Friesen, sister in law Rita Friesen and sister in law Mary Friesen. Many nieces and nephews whom she had special connections with and so appreciated your phone calls and visits. She is predeceased by all of her siblings and in laws on the Fehr side of the family Mom’s other request was that her tomb stone say “End of construction, thank you for your patience.” The jury is still out on that one… We love you mom and look forward to being reunited with you again. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00PM at St. Paul's United Church, Morden. Private Ash interment prior to the service at Chapel Columbarium, Morden. Donald Athol Cram 1925 ~ 2024 Donald was born on March 28th, 1925 in Morden, Manitoba the 3 rd child of Clifford and Gladys Cram. Don was raised on his father’s family Cram farm 2 miles north of Morden and ¼ mile east, with his older brother and sister Robert (Bob) and Evelyn and his younger sister Lois. Donald was active in 4-H clubs, being provincial winner of Swine competitions which entitled him to attend the Toronto Royal Fair. He attended Cheval country school. He reports many antics on the farm and of raiding neighbours’ pumpkin patches. He loved attending dances, hunting deer/ducks, fishing, curling and playing hockey with his buddies as they would hop the train to go play in Miami, Manitou and Pilot Mound When Don completed school, he was required to help his Dad on the farm when his brother Robert joined the war. Don also answered the call to join the military when he became of age at 19 years of age and entered basic training in 1944 in Shilo. He completed Basic Training and was on his way east to board a ship for Europe when the war ended. He took up farming the home farm with his brother Robert. The brothers remained on the same farm site. Don met Mavis Emma Sandercock for the first time in 1944 at a Box Social. Mavis had been sent to Carman to help her sister Velma (married Allan Keith). They were to attend a box social at Dunstan Community Hall. Velma had made a lunch box for her. Mavis’s Box was bought by one Mr. Don Cram. This was their first introduction. Although she was very impressed by the young gent, she was still very young. It was some time later after Mavis returned from University Proper School to become a teacher that Don and Mavis started dating. Always under the watchful eye of her brother Bert. It was clear from the start; Don was determined make Mavis his bride. They were married on June 22 nd , 1950 by Rev Cook at St. Paul’s United Church in Morden, Manitoba. In 1966 when Clifford broke up the farm, Bob took over the homestead and land immediately next to it. This same year Don, bought land ½ mile north (21-3-5) and established his own Home operation site His operation centered around the production of high-quality corn primarily for Seagram’s corn whiskey. He also grew cereal and canning crops and raising beef. He won a number of awards related to his high corn yields production and in 1985 he was awarded by the MCGA (Manitoba Corn Grower Association) for the 3 rd highest yield in the Province. Don had a keen interest in community affairs and was an avid volunteer to many organizations and groups in his community. He he served as Secretary Treasurer and board member of the Cheval School District till it closed in 1965. He then focused on and later serving on the Board of the Morden Consolidated S.C. later to become the Western Consolidated School Division for 17 years. He was a Scout leader for a number of years, a hockey coach, an Elder at St. Paul’s United Church where he was deeply involved in renovations to that building, and Sunday School Teacher. He also served as a member of the Elks and Kinsmen. Always keenly interested in all sports, he continued his active lifestyle in curling and golf. In 1989 Don was part of a curling foursome an won the Manitoba Masters Championship representing Manitoba in the National competition. He curled until he was 95 yrs old and golfed right up to 2021 (96-year-old). He was an avid camper and loved traveling. And traveled west to Kelowna many times to visit family pulling many different types/sizes of campers; down to California and Florida multiple times – nothing better than road trips to experience the country. When pulling a trailer got a bit much – he and mom joined a bus tour to the east coast. They also took winter trips to Bahamas, Costa Rica, & Hawaii, Mom and dad also loved their quick trips to Mahnoman, Minn. with good friends to try their luck at the casinos. Don and Mavis had a very full life together. They celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in 2020. They were both very involved in all of their 5 children’s activities and then the business continued with the activities of their grandchildren. Family was always first priority for both Mom and Dad and they very willingly shared their time, energy and wisdom with us all. On March 28th, 2024 he celebrated his 99th birthday with his children. On March 30th, 2024 with his family by his side he quietly and peacefully went to meet his Lord. He was predeceased by his Wife Mavis in 2020. He is survived by his sisters Evelyn (Heasloop) and Lois (Williams). His children, son Ken (Joanne), children Bryce (Melissa}, grandchildren Cedar and Jasmine, Jessie (Mike), grandchildren Nicholas, Zachery, Son Rick (Joanne); Daughter Betty (Collin), children Kurt (Sarah), Grandsons Grant, Ben; Derek (Adelle) Grandchildren Talia, Vivi; Jerrett (Steph), grandsons Gage, Caden; Daughter Karen (Glenn), Children Jason (Becky}, grandsons John, James; Colby (Lyndsay) , Tyson (Jannelle); Son Ron (Mary Anne), children Thomas (Adelle), William and Emma. A private memorial service for family and close friends will take place at a later date. Rosella Ann Neufeld 1952 - 2024 Rosella Ann Neufeld passed away peacefully and went to meet her Lord and Savior on March 29, 2024 at the age of 71 years. Rose was born to George and Tina Neufeld in Deloraine, MB and after a few years the family settled in Boissevain, MB. She enjoyed school, especially baseball and basketball. She had a successful career at Manitoba Municipal Employees Benefits Board. She really loved curling and later went on to officiate the sport as well as becoming MCA President for a term. She retired at age 65 and sports and family took up most of her time. Rose was predeceased by her father George and her mother Tina (nee Harms) as well as a nephew Colin Neufeld and great niece Ava Willerton. Left to cherish her memory are her brother Peter Neufeld (Lorraine), brother John Neufeld (Debbie), sister Vi Neufeld (Charlie), and sister Linda Reimer (Rob) as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Rose also leaves to mourn her passing another family very special to her, Ray and Elaine Ali and their children. Private Memorial Service will be held at Wiebe Funeral Chapel at a later date. Glen Miller, 69 of Devils Lake formerly of Lawton and Minot, ND passed away on Good Friday morning, March 29, 2024, at REM in the loving care of staff, family, and Hospice. Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be on Easter Monday, April 1, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. A Rosary will be recited at 9:15 a.m. prior to the funeral Mass also at the church. Services will be live streamed at Facebook.com/stjosephdvl Glen Eman Miller was born to Vernon J. and Agnes A. (Hejlik) Miller on January 29, 1955, in Devils Lake. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Edmore, ND. Glen was baptized and received the Sacraments of Initiation at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, rural Webster. At a very young age, Glen had cerebral meningitis, and several bouts with pneumonia. Our father taught Glen about arithmetic and money. Glen attended the one room Cato township (Ramsey County) school sporadically, and then attended speech therapy classes with Mrs. Florence Lake for many years. With school district reorganization in 1961, Glen was able to attend special education classes in Devils Lake Public Schools. He belonged to a Cub Scout Den for disabled boys that our Mother and other parents headed up. He learned to read from Dr. Suess books. He made friends easily among his classmates and other students. He would attend Camp Grassick camps in the summer. Glen had a grand mal seizure when he was 17 and began a regimen of heavier medication that seemed to take a slow toll on his well-being. When he was younger, he had a photographic memory of times, dates and places and could recall details from family events for years, including high and low temperature, wind speed and direction, whether it was sunny or cloudy and which family members were present. At Mass he would listen to every announcement and if the Priest would say in closing, “Did this event get announced? Glen would reply loudly, “Yes,” with a tone of voice like “Weren’t you listening?” At 17 years of age, he moved to a sheltered workshop - Minot Vocational Workshop. He learned to make various beautiful macrame creations, which our Mom sold and distributed. He also was trained and enjoyed doing janitorial work at many locations in Minot. Because of a judge's decision to the effect that mentally challenged persons deserved to be in the least restrictive environment they were capable of, Glen was removed from the workshop and put into an apartment, first in Minot, then in Devils Lake at the Great Northern Building. This turned out to be not in Glen’s best interests, and it was determined that he would benefit from living in a Group Home with 24-hour staff, added assistance and more social contact. Lake Region Corporation (Devils Lake) group homes became his residences. He received wages doing vacuuming and other janitorial work around the town. He also was enrolled at LRC Day Program for a few years and worked at Community Options. At one time he was a client also and most recently Glen has been with REM Corporation (Devils Lake) in a group home with staff and other individuals. Glen was a person who cared not a whit of other’s opinions of him - one of those who marched to the tune of his own drum beats! He was at his finest when he was out and about and able to wave and say “Hi” to others he recognized. Or, while riding around town with staff or family, making comments when he recognized the car or home of a staff member or friend. In the past Glen read the local paper daily for information regarding new building projects, or obituaries of someone he might know. Annual parish meals (fall suppers) and fundraiser meals were also treasured events for Glen, as he thoroughly enjoyed eating. He always had to be first in line. (now we can chuckle about that). Glen had his own "chauffeur" who drove him around town to do various tasks. Those were Glen's glory days! They would frequently stop at the "Ice Cream Parlor" at Heartland Care Center. A favorite pastime his whole life was clock watching - aware of upcoming activities, or medication distribution times. Staff and housemates knew what was on the agenda because Glen broadcast the schedule or staffing shifts often loudly and insistently, always confidently - which was not always welcomed or appreciated! The softness of his heart could be seen when someone was sick, and he declared: “I’ll pray for you.” He attended St. Joseph’s Church in Devils Lake when he was able, thanks to staff assistance. At one time he belonged to the Knights of Columbus. We offer our profound THANKS and esteem to all the staff from LRC, REM, the State, and medical personnel, and most recently Hospice, who have served Glen’s many needs throughout the years. The quality of care, concern and love shown - through many very difficult periods in Glen's life - have been extraordinary. Glen was predeceased by his parents. Surviving are sister Susan Hoffert (Mark), rural Rugby, ND, and brother Dennis Miller (Judy), rural Lawton, ND, seven nieces and nephews and 17 grand-nieces and grand nephews. Laura Agnes Skeavington (nee Schroeder) December 27, 1939 - March 29, 2024 Laura Agnes was born December 27, 1939, the 5th of 7 children to George & Elizabeth (nee Wiebe) Schroeder. She was born and lived in Winkler in her younger years until her family moved north west of Carman, where she grew up and went to school in the Albert district. She moved back to Winkler to live with her grandparents to complete Gr 9/10 then enrolled into the nursing program to get her LPN nursing degree. While training & working at the Carman Memorial Hospital in 1960, she met a young man, Don Skeavington, who lived just down the street from the hospital, and they were married August 26, 1961. Laura is survived by her husband of 62 years, Don, her daughter Sherry & husband Murray, granddaughters Kaitlin (husband Kody & great grandchildren Chase, Teagan & Rayna) and Stacey (husband John) and her son Dwane & fiancée Evangeline and grandson Dylan (fiancée Liz). She is survived by siblings Bob (Mary), Margaret, Deloris, Edna & Donald and by Don’s sister Marjorie. She is predeceased by her sister Susan, brothers in law, Ed, Johnny, Art, Howard, Lawrence & Cliff, sisters in law Marie & Hazel and by nieces Marlene & Maureen Dowd. She is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Laura retired from the Carman Memorial Hospital on December 31, 1991, after working there for 29 years and 11 months. Of all her duties there, she most loved and was known for her role as a labour & delivery “baby” nurse. So many in the Carman & area community have wonderful memories of Laura as their nurse when their baby was delivered. Sherry was very lucky to have had her mom as her night nurse when Kaitlin was born. Mom proudly swaddled and cuddled our new baby all night long! Another work memory was being driven to the hospital in the town grader during one of the floods that happened in Carman. After retirement, she went on to volunteer for the Carman DAS in the office as a secretary/administrator for many years. Laura also volunteered for the Carman and District Christmas Cheer Board taking hamper registrations for many years. She had a small but loving group of family & friends with whom she was close. In her earlier years, she spent lots of time camping with her family at Stephenfield Provincial Park and a one month long family camping trip to the Maritimes was a highlight. She & Don also loved their vacations to Hawaii. Though scoliosis and arthritis severely limited her, she was so strong and determined that she would do what she could by herself! She was very gifted and proud of her cross stitch and embroidery creations which are all over mom & dad’s house. She loved sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting when she was still able. She also loved reading her books and trying new recipes. Being a younger daughter with 3 older sisters meant that when it was time for meal prep or cleanup or chores, she often was able to get away to play the organ while her sisters did the work. When they were able to find another organ in her retirement years, Laura really loved playing her favourite hymns and songs. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They brought a light to her life like no other. She always tried to have fun things for them to do or tricks to play on gramps when they came to visit in their younger years. In later years, gram was always ready for a visit to catch up on everyone’s busy lives. Chase, Teagan & Rayna were very lucky to have had the chance to know 2 sets of great grandparents! Our many heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful staff at Carman Home Care, Carman Hospital and the Foyer in Notre Dame de Lourdes. Your care and attention to all the big & small details made mom’s life so much better. Thanks also to Pastor Bob Pauls for his visits to mom and dad during this difficult time. A private family celebration will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Arthritis Society of Canada if so desired. |
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