Lavoie, Georges Louis Emile (April 10, 1929 - January 31, 2023)


With family by his side, Georges Louis Emile (Geordie) Lavoie passed away peacefully at the Boyne Lodge, January 31, 2023.
Geordie was predeceased by his parents Ulderic Lavoie and Blanche Lavoie (nee Lacroix), 11 siblings and grandson Luke Lavoie.
He will be forever loved and missed by his wife Rita Lavoie (nee Menard), and their children: Diane (Brad) Rasmussen, Richard (Kathy) Lavoie, Martin (Barb) Lavoie, Claude (Sandy) Lavoie, Norman Lavoie; Grandchildren:  Brett (Liza) Rasmussen, Nolan (Jennifer) Rasmussen, Evan (Michelle) Rasmussen, Raymond Lavoie, Renee (Chris) Dzik, Matthew Lavoie, Michelle (Jan) Morse, Stephanie Lavoie, Makenzie Lavoie, Eric Lavoie, Danielle Lavoie, Derek Lavoie, Joelle Lavoie; Great Grandchildren: Brennan, Quinn Rasmussen, Bennett, Anna, Ivy Rasmussen, Hadley, Erin, Liv Rasmussen, Casey Morse. Brother and Sister in laws:  Len and Irene Gendre, Andy (Diane) Menard, Odette Chapellaz, Louise and Wayne Doell, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
To effectively capture Geordie’s life in a few paragraphs is simply not possible. Through the 63 years of a loving marriage and raising five children, he leaves us with many good memories. His innovative ability to build or repair whatever was required, whether it be for the family, or just for fun, Geordie’s workmanship had a quality that many admired. He was a lifelong church attendee, humbly volunteering his time and skills to St Paul’s Parish and the Starbuck community.  As a loyal husband and father, Geordie did whatever was required of him to provide for his family.  
Geordie especially loved watching his grandchildren play sports and was proud of their accomplishments. He spent many hours in rinks and baseball fields across Manitoba.  Geordie was also an avid hunter and enjoyed family camping trips. He brought fun and laughter with his musical talent, playing the harmonica for all to hear and he loved dancing which included the Red River Jig. Much of his time in retirement years was spent golfing at Scotswood Links. 
Geordie’s life was a "life well lived" and he will be dearly missed.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the staff at the Boyne Lodge for their kindness and compassionate care always going above and beyond. Your kindness means so much to us. Thank-you.
A private family service is being held.  Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Society, the Boyne Valley Hostel Corp (Boyne Lodge), or a charity of your choice.

Private service will be held with interment at the Haskett Cemetery. Donations may be made in memory of Elizabeth to Back to the Bible Canada.

Elizabeth Elias (nee Klassen)
November 27, 1927 ~ January 31, 2023
 Elizabeth Elias was born to Martin D. and Katherina Klassen on November 27, 1927 in the Stanley Municipality. She grew up and attended school in Hochfeld, Manitoba. She was baptized on the confession of her faith. She married Cornelius Elias on April 28, 1949. They farmed in the Haskett School District. In 1968, Elizabeth moved to the Wakeham School District after purchasing additional farmland. She resided there until she was transferred to a care home in 2016.
She is survived by two sons, two daughters and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, Cornelius in 1963 and one son in 2021.

Beata A. Gasparre, 93 of Devils Lake, ND formerly of St. Paul, MN passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital.
Funeral Services for Beata will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.  The burial will take place at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Beata Agnes, daughter of Conrad and Reganda (Krensel) Erck was born on January 23, 1930 at Esmond, North Dakota.  She was raised and educated in the Esmond/Minnewaukan area and later in the Bisbee, ND area with her family.  With dedication and hard work, she received her GED later in life.
Beata married Leonard Gasparre and they began their married life in the St. Paul, Minnesota area where they lived, worked and raised their family. While in the Twin Cities area, they were very involved in real estate, managing and building apartment buildings and also owned and operated a cabinetry business.
In later years, Beata and Leonard came to North Dakota and in semi-retirement established homes in Devils Lake and Cando and as the entrepreneurs that they were, opened Noodles By Leonardo in both communities.  They were always productive and service-minded people of all the communities they lived in.  They enjoyed living in Nevada in the winter months and after total retirement, became full-time residents.
Leonard died on June 14, 2011 in Nevada and Beata spent time in Nevada, Minnesota and North Dakota. For the past several years, Beata has called Devils Lake home. 
Beata always gave full support to each and every adventure she encountered in her life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.  She treasured her family and many dear friends.
Beata is survived by her precious sons Geno Gasparre, Devils Lake, Mark Gasparre and Michael Gasparre both of St. Paul, MN; grandson Devin McMahon also of St. Paul; brother Leo (Judy) Erck of South Dakota; many nieces, nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leonard and many siblings.

​Lawrence H. Gapp, 92, of Walhalla, ND, passed away peacefully Monday, January 30, 2023 at the Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 11:00am at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 7, from 6:00-7:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm, also at the Church.
     Lawrence, son of Henry and Josephine Gapp, was born April 18, 1930, on their family homestead west of Walhalla. He grew up on a farm east of Walhalla and attended a country school a mile from his home through the eighth grade. He then attended and graduated from Oakwood High School near Grafton. He went to college at NDSU for a while, then returned home where he continued farming with his family.
     On January 31, 1959, Lawrence married Carol Leonard, from St. Paul Minnesota. They raised nine children together on a farm near Walhalla. There was never a dull moment at the Gapp house. Lawrence loved family gatherings, especially during the holidays.
     Lawrence lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed socializing and visiting with people, and made several acquaintances over the years through his many travels with friends. He farmed for over 45 years.
   After retiring he spent a lot of time gardening. He enjoyed making homemade sauerkraut, wine, pickles and his famous hot sauce. Lawrence also made deer sausage every year using his secret recipe. His children and grandchildren were always there to help out, which became an annual family tradition. He was a member of the St. Boniface Choir his whole adult life. Lawrence also belonged to the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, and was very proud when he became a Fourth Degree Knight.
     Lawrence left a long family legacy. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Carol; Children: Phil (Angie) Gapp, Lisa (Kent) Dalzell, Chris (Jackie) Gapp, Mike (Debbie) Gapp, Maria Gapp, Sharon (Jim) McMullen, Larry (Paula) Gapp, and Bridget (Zack) Rudolf; 26 grandchildren: 18 great-grandchildren; son-in-law Larry Schill; brother Frank (Christa) Gapp; sister Anna Brombach; sisters-in-law Patricia Dickman, Karen Gapp and Jackie Gapp. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Wilfred, Henry, Phillip and infant brother Allan Gapp; daughter Cynthia Schill; nephew Greg Brombach; niece Kathy Weyrough; brothers-in-law Jack Brombach and Jerry Dickman.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday February 5 at Emmanuel Mennonite Church with private interment prior at Westridge Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be from 1PM-8PM on Saturday at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler. Donations may be made in Ben's memory to the Canadian Food Grains Bank.
 


 Bernhard (Ben) Kehler1934 – 2023 
On Monday January 30, 2023 at the Altona Community Memorial Health Centre, Ben Kehler, 88 of Winkler, MB passed away.
He is survived by his wife, June (nee Bergen), one daughter, three sons and their families. He was predeceased by his first wife, Helen (nee Harms) in 1964 and one daughter in infancy.
Memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday February 5, 2023 at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler with private interment prior at Westridge Memorial Gardens.
Donations may be made in Ben’s memory to the Canadian Food Grains Bank. ​

Yvonne Lavina (Heffta) Bjorg, age 86 of Adams, ND passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at the Park River Good Samaritan Society - Park River. 
Yvonne L. Bjorg was born December 22, 1936 in rural Adams, the daughter of the late Oscar and Selma (Knutson) Heffta Sr.  She grew up and attended school in Adams, graduating from Adams Public School.  Yvonne started working at Northwestern Bell until her marriage to Jan L. Bjorg on July 28, 1956.  The couple made their home on the Bjorg family farm in Vesta Township where they raised 6 children.  She was very involved with the farming and ranching. She also worked for Linda’s Bridal Shop.
Yvonne was a member of Adams Mountain Lutheran Church and WELCA, where she taught Sunday school for many years.  She was always taking care of people whether it was kids, grandchildren, neighbors or friends.  She was known for her chocolate layer cake she made for many family members birthdays.
Yvonne is survived by her children:  Naomi (Joe) Bovee, Plymouth, MN, Julie (Denny) Skorheim, Adams, ND, Paul (Renae) Bjorg, Grand Forks, ND, June Brostuen, Tioga, ND, Donald Bjorg, Adams, ND, Mark (Luisa) Bjorg, Las Vegas, NV; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; brother-in-law John (Teresa) Bjorg, as well as several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Selma Heffta, husband Jan L. Bjorg, granddaughter Tana Marie Bjorg, brother Oscar (Kaye) Heffta Jr., father and mother-in-law, Henry and Lillian Bjorg, brother-in-law Jerry Bjorg and nephew Henry Bjorg. 
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Adams Mountain Lutheran Church of Adams, ND.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at the West Adams Cemetery in rural Adams in the spring.

Jacob Toews of Homewood passed away on Saturday,  January 28, 2023 at Carman Hospital at the age of 91.
Jacob was born July 25, 1931 to Henry and Margaret Toews near Rosenfeld, Manitoba.  He enjoyed growing up the eldest of five children.  The family moved from Neuhorst to Elm Creek / Fannystelle area where Dad attended the Dakota school.  Dad enjoyed reading, memorizing, writing, math and music!
Dad felt life was designed for music, specifically singing.  He participated in church choirs and Sangerfest during this time.  Building houses and barns kept him busy.
On November 3, 1957 he married Evelyn Pearl Wiebe.  Daughter Cheryl and son Marvyn were born in the ensuing years.  There were dark days to come as Pearl passed away January 5, 1965.
Dad sang at CMBC developing and investing in new and tried friendships. Harmonizing with his brother-in-law Edwin Friesen was good for his soul.  He built many sheds and bins with his brother Peter.  He had pigs in the barn and land to farm.
On July 15, 1971 Dad married Esther Neufeld.  Jake and Esther enjoyed camping, going to church conferences, visiting friends, singing and playing games. A special joy was time with grandchildren.  During this time Dad also enjoyed singing in the Morden Men’s Choir, often traveling to practices with brother-in-law Elmer Wiebe. They traveled into the States and eastern Canada sharing the gift of song.  In June of 2001 Dad survived a heart attack with triple bypass surgery that October.  The time with Esther came to an end on September 14, 2011 when Esther passed away.
Dad endured several serious accidents.  He moved to 5th Avenue Apartments in Carman where he made friends visiting and puzzling.  He walked many miles exploring the town.  During Covid we spent hours singing through hymnaries, visiting and praying over the phone.
May 6, 2021, he was admitted to Carman Hospital, then Boundary, Carman, Gladstone hospital, Third Crossing Manor, Boyne Lodge and Carman Hospital where he passed away on Saturday, January 28 at 5:25pm with Cheryl and Maxine present.
Jacob was predeceased by his brothers Peter in 1984 and Frank in 2022. In his immediate family he is survived by his brother Henry, sister Mary, brother-in-law Jim, sisters-in-law Margaret, Linda and Anne.
Jacob will be fondly remembered by his children, grandchildren, and their families.
He will also be remembered by the Toews, Derkson, Wiebe, and Neufeld families and many friends.
Cheryl and Marvyn would like to thank all those who looked after Dad in the past few years, in Gladstone and Carman, at the lodge and the hospital as well as the homecare he received before that.  We also thank all those who have participated to make this day memorable and all those who have wished us well in this trying time. May peace travel with you.
Funeral at Carman Mennonite Church at 2:00 pm on February 4, 2023, interment at Broad Valley Cemetery.
Doyle’s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Donations can be made to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

​Memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday February 1, 2023 at God's Kingdom Ministry with private interment prior to the service at the Gnadenthal Cemetery. Viewing will be from 1PM-6PM on Tuesday at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler. 



Peter Buhler
1956 ~ 2023
 Peter Buhler was born July 25, 1956 to David J and Anna (nee Letkeman) Buhler in the town of Altona, MB.
He was baptized in the spring of 1977.
He was predeceased by his parents and stepmother, four brothers and one sister.
He is survived by one daughter, Karen and Adam Paynter, two sons, David and Cindy and Ernest and Stephanie, 13 grandchildren as well as two brothers, six sisters and their families.

​Susan K. Johnson, age 70 of Park River, North Dakota passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks, North Dakota with her beloved family by her side. 
Private family services will be in the spring.  Inurnment will be at the Hoople City Cemetery of rural Hoople, North Dakota.