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.
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.