Funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday December 7, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church with interment to follow at Chapel Cemetery. Viewing will be from 1PM-9PM on Wednesday at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden and at the church prior to the service. Donations may be made in Denise's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Denise Madeline Steedsman (nee Scheirlinck)
1931 ~ 2023
 On Thursday November 30, 2023 at Tabor Home, Denise Steedsman, 92 of Morden, MB passed away.
She is survived by two daughters, Sandra and Ed Friesen, Lori and Jim Timmer, her son, James Steedsman and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack in 2010.
In Denise’s own words: "I was born in Minto, Manitoba on October 21, 1931. My parents came from Belgium. I was raised on a farm, went to a country school, and later to Boissevain High School. After graduation I worked at the telephone office. On June 7, 1952 I married Jack Steedsman, the love of my life. We continued to operate the farm south of Deloraine for the next 5 years. We were blessed with 2 daughters, Sandra and Lori. It was a struggle, so in 1957 we made a bold move and moved to Winnipeg so Jack could attend the U of M in agriculture. The next 6 years were a struggle, until we began our life in Morden in 1963. We discovered what would be our pride and joy, a house at 168-10th St. Love and laughter were very much a part of our life there.
Much as I loved our home and raising a family (son James had arrived by that time), I joined the Kinettes and started volunteering at Tabor Home. I loved the residents there so much. I was there for 21 years. Life was going smoothly until Jack's battles with migraines started and lasted nearly 20 years. A few years later, Jack started losing interest in the things he once loved, which was the early sign of what would become Alzheimer's disease. It slowly progressed to the point where I could no longer care for him, so with many tears I had to let someone else take care of him. I cried a lot those days. He passed away on September 29, 2010.I cried a lot again, but realized that tears are not a sign of weakness, they are a sign of healing. I miss Jack very much. I am a survivor. Death is beautiful, and you don't have to be afraid of it. Dying is dignified and regal. God has been good to me, and I thank him every day. Remember every day, every minute, every breath is truly a gift from God."
Funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday December 7, 2023 at the St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church 2 Academy Drive in Morden with interment to follow at Chapel Cemetery, Morden. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Denise’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Celebration of Life Reception will be held at 1:30PM on Monday December 4, 2023 at the Wiebe Funeral Chapel Reception Hall, Morden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a charity close to his heart.

Edwin Carl Aune
1946 ~ 2023
 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edwin Carl Aune on Wednesday November 29, 2023 at the age of 77.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Denise (Marcoux), children, Michelle Hutlet (Roland), Ginette Major (Dwayne), Sean (Melanie), grandchildren: Jillian and Jenna Hutlet, Breyanne (Mike) Major, Stephanie (Chad) Allen, Brooklyn and Sydney Major, Tyler and Kamryn Aune, great grandchildren: Madeline, Gisley, Rylan, Ryane, Gunnar, Magnus, and Maesyn. He also leaves to mourn his sister, Marlyn Woods and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ed was born March 19, 1946, in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in Dufresne where his parents owned the A & C Snack Bar. While attending high school in St. Anne, MB he met his future wife, Denise. He left Manitoba to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a member of the RCMP. Although his career was short lived, he returned home to marry his sweetheart. Their family started in St. Boniface where Michelle and Ginette were born. His career took him to Portage la Prairie where Sean soon followed. Two and a half years later an opportunity came to open a new claims centre for Manitoba Public Insurance in Winkler. Morden became home while he continued to work for MPI for over 30 years and retired in 2006. Summers were spent in the camper and travelling to visit family in California. Some of our best memories happened around the campfire, in the lake, and on long road trips. Retirement led to more travel which included the Maritimes, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska and countless Canadian and U.S. destinations. Crib, cards, and crosswords as well as spending time with his growing family were some of his favorite pass times. He enjoyed following his grandchildren then some of his great grandchildren in all their sports endeavours. Pépère embraced technology to keep up with his grandkids. His texting skills and emoji usage was on point.
As per his wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday December 4, 2023 at Wiebe Funeral Chapel Reception Hall, Morden. The family invites any family or friends to share their memories of Ed during the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a charity close to his heart.

Vernice N. Balsdon, 87, of Osnabrock, ND, died Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at the Maple Manor Care Center in Langdon, ND.
Vernice Noreen Lee was born on December 30, 1935, to Noah and Beatrice (Newell) Lee in Walhalla, ND. She attended country school in Park Center and graduated from Walhalla High School. When she was 16, she met a boy at a dance from 'on top of the hill'. Vernice and George Balsdon were married December 26, 1953, at the Park Center Presbyterian Church in Walhalla, ND. They were married for 58 years before George passed away in 2011. George and Vernice lived on the family farm in Hay Township. She was actively involved in all aspects of the farm. She was a member of the Langdon United Methodist Church. She held various offices, taught Sunday school and VBS through the years. They enjoyed many trips to California and Alaska. She worked for many years at local elections in Hay Township and also served on the Osnabrock School Board and Cavalier County FSA Board. She enjoyed being a Homemakers Club member and also various offices in W.I.F.E. 
Vernice is survived by her children: Debra Balsdon, Leland (Carolyn) Balsdon and Paul (Lana) Balsdon – all of Osnabrock, ND; grandchildren: Sally (Parker) McBride, Tyler (Emily) Balsdon, Nicholas Balsdon, Jayme (Jon) Jonasson, and Ramsey (Brittney) Balsdon; and great-grandchildren: Jamison, Brooks, Gigi and Jensen. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband George.
A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, with visitation starting at 5:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Langdon, ND. Burial will be held at Zion Cemetery near Osnabrock, ND.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Maple Manor Care Center in Langdon (1116 9th Ave.) or Zion Cemetery (214 14th Ave., Langdon) near Osnabrock.

On November 29, 2023 Donald (Don) Meyer, age 67, died peacefully at the CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake, ND after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and supported by so many members of his Devil’s Lake community in his last days.
Don was born April 16, 1956, to Wallace and Margaretta Meyer in Hillsboro, ND. He was raised on a farmstead outside of Hillsboro with his three younger brothers—John, James, and David. In 1974, he graduated from Hillsboro High School and married Sonja Rud. They raised three daughters; Holly, Kari, and Erin.
Don worked for local farmers in Traill County until he followed his heart and enrolled in and completed law enforcement training in Bismarck, ND. Completion of his training in 1990 marked the start of his long law enforcement career. In 1991, he and his family moved to LaMoure, ND. There, he spent the next decade as the Deputy Sheriff of LaMoure County. He finished his 30-year career in the law enforcement industry as a Senior Deputy in Ramsey County where he retired in 2020. He was a long-time advocate for children, was a Safe Alternatives for Abused Families (SAAF) board member, and championed many child advocacy programs. He touched the lives of many people in the communities he served. As an example of how good deeds are paid back, a woman Don rescued from a car rollover in the snow and ice during her pregnancy several years ago returned his kindness as she was his nurse during his final hospitalization.
Don was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener, contributing wildlife and produce to many family and friends. He was quick to offer a quart of his homemade sauerkraut or a bushel of apples to anyone he met. Some of his favorite memories were salmon fishing, hunting deer, waterfowl, elk, and wild boar. His passion was firearms; he was a hunter’s safety and firearms instructor for more than 35 years, fostering respect for and the love of hunting and shooting sports for hundreds across the state. In addition, Don participated in the North Dakota Peace Officers Association shooting competitions, which included the Governor’s 20 competition, for more than two decades. The firearm competition is designed to recognize the top 20 law enforcement shooters from each state. With his steady hand, proven stance, and hundreds of thousands of hours of practice, Don excelled in the competitions, took home many trophies, and was regularly named among the top in the state.
Don was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his best friend and loyal companion rescue dog Bob; his children Holly Meyer, West Fargo, ND, Kari (Keith) Zilmer, Fargo, ND, and Erin (Todd) Blotsky, West Fargo, ND; and his grandchildren Jake (Aren) Blotsky, Braden Meyer, Olivia Blotsky, Isaac Blotsky, Ivy Zilmer, Eli Meyer, and Opal Zilmer. He is also survived by his three brothers. 
Don loved joking around with his friends and family, understood the value of the proverbial “Dad joke”, and you knew he liked you if he teased you endlessly. He got many chuckles from the nursing staff at the oncology center as he maintained his good humor up until the end. He will be missed by all. God bless the memory of Don Meyer.
There will be a funeral service for Don on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND

Marlin Warren Torkelson, 94, passed away on November 28, 2023, at Bethany on University, Fargo, ND, and welcomed into his Heavenly home by loving wife Hope.
Marlin was born on December 12, 1928, at Grafton, ND, to Hans and Tena Torkelson. In 1950 he married Hope E. Johnson Torkelson in Warren, MN. Marlin was a loving, devoted husband and father.  He worked for REA, NWB, and A T & T for 42 years before retiring. Marlin and Hope were proud parents of a twin son and daughter, Jeffrey and Deborah, and loving grandparents to five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Marlin is survived by his twin son and daughter Jeffrey (Pam) Torkelson, Horace, ND, and Deborah Torkelson Dusek, Fargo, ND; grandchildren Mark (Becky) Torkelson, West Fargo, ND, Bekki (Jeremy) Baumgartner, Valley City, ND, Lynn Dusek, West Fargo, ND, and Lee (Teresa) Dusek, Rice, MN; great grandchildren Zach Baumgartner, Colton and Cambree Torkelson, Victoria Hope and Archer Lee Dusek; sister Eileen Baardson, several nephews and a niece, 4 cousins, and best friends Erin and John Morgan and Bill and Colleen Lykken. Marlin was preceded in death by granddaughter Tina Torkelson, his parents, and a sister.
Funeral services will be Friday, December 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Grafton Lutheran Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials to the Walsh County Gun Club or Unity Hospital.

​Funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 7 at 2:00PM at the German Old Colony Mennonite Church, Hochfeld.  Viewing will be held on Wednesday from 1-6:00PM at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler.  Interment to follow at the German Old Colony Mennonite Church Cemetery.  Donations may be made to assist the family with expenses.

Joyce Tongen
December 11, 1926 — November 27, 2023
Cavalier, ND

​Joyce Ethel Tongen, 96, of Cavalier, ND, passed away Monday, November 27, 2023, at the Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, Mountain, ND. Funeral service will be held Friday, December 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held one hour before the time of service at Askew Funeral Home. Immediately after the service, burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Walhalla, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, 61 Borg Drive, Mountain, ND 58265.
Joyce was born on December 11, 1926, to Olafur and Ethel (Bjornson) Einarson in Mountain ND. She grew up on the farm near Milton, ND. She was an alumnus of Milton High School and went on to further her education at Mayville State College. She was a schoolteacher for Park Center Rural School near Walhalla. She met her husband, Clair E Tongen, at a country dance and married on December 31, 1946, at the Lutheran Parsonage in Mountain ND. They made their home initially on the farm near Walhalla and later moved to Cavalier where they raised their youngest child. Joyce resided in the Borg Nursing Home for quite some time where she was loved by all. Joyce was an excellent cook and baker as well as a wonderful mother and very proud Grandma. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church both in Park Center and Cavalier. She enjoyed walking and volunteering at the Cavalier Thrift Store in her later years.
Survivors include her children: Constance Graham and children Sean (Elane) Graham and Heather Graham; Joel (Loretta) Tongen and children Erik and Adam (Ana) Tongen; Karen (Darrell) Kemnitz and children Ryan (Jenna) Kemnitz and Rachel (Marcus) Ramsay; Becky (Lynn) Ault and children Stephanie, Julie (Nik) Kemnitz, Katelyn and Richard "Ricky". Great Grandchildren: Finnegan, Mason, and Samantha Graham, Bodie Graham, Harper, and Holden Tongen, Ava, Henry, and Everett Kemnitz, Nora and Jade Ramsay, Ivy and Charlee Kemnitz. Her sister, Beverly Bleakley.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Clair Tongen, parents Olafur and Ethel Einarson, brothers Dennis Einarson and Bill Einarson, sisters Judy Klindt, Lorraine Chaput, Fern Stabo, Olivia Veer, Mavis Einarson, Doreen Nelson, and sister Inga who died as a child. Also preceding her in death is her son-in-law, Richard (Dick) Graham.

Mike was born June 4th, 1961 in Portage la Prairie.  He passed away peacefully after a short & courageous battle with cancer on November 27th, 2023 at the Grace Hospital. Mike’s life journey began under a Gemini Sun and ended under a Gemini Full Moon.
Left to cherish his memory is the loves of his life Margaret, Wyatt & Cheyenne (Sweet Pea).
His sisters Jo-Anne (Darryl), Marian & Gisele.
Nephew Jason (Jill), his family Chase “Michael” (Sarah), & Tayla (Chase).
Nephew Colin (Megan).
Niece Bobbi-Jo (Dave) & MacKenzie.
Margaret’s family Bruce, (Kayden, Reid & Summer), Amy & Paisley, Liz (Nik) Willow & Charlie.
His son Kyle.
Aunts, uncles, cousins and many great friends.
Mike didn’t really care on what others thought of how he lived his life.  He was no angel and wore that devilish grin with pride.  He was a proud man of few words but a man of many talents.  He had a natural ability to adapt to the environment around him.  Everything from operating heavy equipment, home renovations, keeping the yard neat & trimmed, a great cook & BBQ extraordinaire to providing life skills to Wyatt and Cheyenne.  He was a perfectionist and insisted on things being done right the first time.
He loved to tease and if you showed any weakness to him, look out you were going to cry for sure but his nephews say it only made them stronger in the end.
If you were a kid and got a present from Mike you could be sure it was wrapped in duct tape.  You had to work hard to get your present.
He loved his toys, dirt bikes, motorcycles,  4 wheelers, snowmobiles and recently golf carts.  The faster they went the better.  Mike loved going to snow mobile races and took great pride in watching his nephews race super stock at the Victory Lane Speedway.  Mike also loved to listen to music very loudly and you could hear 100 songs in an hour because he would change the song you were listening to in the middle of it or even after the first verse.
The shop was his domain!  Mike loved it from the Giant TV to the wood burning stove.  He loved to drink beers with friends there or just tinker on things that needed fixing.
Mike, you may have driven us crazy at times, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.  You had been there for us through thick & thin, you were our hero, our protector and we couldn’t of asked for a better little brother.
A celebration of Mike’s life will take place at a later date.