It is with profound sadness that the family of Jennie Grechen (nee Baley) of Teulon, Manitoba, announce that Jennie’s long and happy time on this Earth has come to a peaceful end on January 6, 2018, at the age of 98. Jennie was a loving mother, baba, sister, aunt, and friend. She was born in Teulon, Manitoba, on November 20, 1919. In 1947, she married William (Bill) Grechen, and they built a life together on the family farm in the Dundas region outside of Teulon, where they lived until after Bill’s passing in 1996. Jennie leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her daughters Mitzi (Steven) Maksymyk and Luci Grechen (Garry Sinnock); her grandchildren Gretchen Maksymyk, Steven Maksymyk (Anna Chan) and Katrina Maksymyk (David Lane); and her sister Marion (Stan) Smerchanski, as well as many nieces and nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours. Jennie is predeceased by her parents Stephan and Nettie Baley; her sisters Anne (Fred) Kwasny, Mary (Merle) McCollough, and Lena (Joe) Sanek; her brothers William (Julie) Baley and Harry (Addie) Bailey; her in-laws, Alexander and Millie Grechen and her sister-in-law Christine (Bruce) Slipetz. Jennie loved school from the very first day and was inspired to become a teacher from a very early age. She was an attentive and accomplished student who graduated from Teulon high school before taking her teacher’s training at Normal School in 1941-42. She held a number of teaching positions throughout the Interlake during her early twenties, including Fisher Branch, Norwood School in Petersfield, Wheathill School in Chatfield, and Dundas School in Teulon. Jennie taught in Teulon for over 35 years and retired in 1978. Working on the family farm, teaching full-time, and raising a family made for a busy but fulfilling life. Jennie believed in hard work and education and, despite her heavy workload, she continued to take university courses throughout her career. But life was not just work; Jennie and Bill enjoyed camping and fishing outings with their girls and, later in life, they escaped to warm and carefree places like Hawaii and Cuba and cruised throughout the Caribbean. Jennie also believed in community and often volunteered to help out with such things as the music festival, church teas and charitable events. She enjoyed visiting with family, neighbours, and friends and seeing her old Normal School chums at their reunions. Jennie especially loved being a TART – a member of the Teulon Association of Retired Teachers. She also loved baseball as a girl, and her trademark crooked pointer finger was a result of a baseball accident in her youth. Jennie was passionate about many issues: politics, the environment, Teulon’s hospital and the health care system, and the world in which we all live. She consistently urged each and every one of us to fight for what is right and to work toward the greater good. Her passion, determination, independence, and the glimpses of devilishness she would sometimes let us see, will be profoundly missed. As per Jennie’s wishes, a cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Teulon United Church or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to express their appreciation to the medical staff at the Grace Hospital for their compassion and care.

Ronald P. Denner of Stony Mountain, Manitoba passed away peacefully on December 25, 2017 at the age of 82 years. Ron is survived by his wife Ruth, of 59 years; Daughters Kim (Trevor), Karen, Rhonda (Andre). Cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our Dad, Grandpa, Great grandpa (Great Papa) Alan Sheldon, at the Stonewall Hospital on December 17, 2017 at the age of 100 years.  He was predeceased by his wife Vivian (2010), son Larry, granddaughter Erin, son-in-law Brad, daughter-in-law Sharon.  His siblings Mary Olivia, Isabel (Gordon), Jim (Dorothy) (Pearl),Harry (Thelma), Dorothy and step sister Berna(Norman).  Also Vivian’s family, brothers-in-law Roy (Marg),Ivan (Lil), sister-in-law Ione(Lawrence), brothers-in-law Jack and John.  He is survived by his sons and daughters, Wayne (Mary), Meryl (Doug), Verne (Marcelle), Karen (Jim), Nancy (Roy), sisters-in-law Elva and Frances, very dear friend Drew Lambert, 19 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews. The great grands had a special place in his heart and he loved visiting with them, looking at pictures, and hearing of their exploits.  Dad was born on the family farm in Grassmere district to Harry and Flora Sheldon on July 25, 1917.  He attended Grassmere and Brandt Argyle schools.  He left home at the age of 17, after the death of his father, to work at Moore’s farm in Marquette.  He worked many manual labour jobs in those early years most times for a dollar a day.  He and Mum married in 1941 and Dad joined the army in March of 1942.  They moved to Kingston and Dad was posted overseas in September of 1942 leaving from Halifax.  He travelled through many countries while serving Canada as a member of the Signal Core and as a mechanic.  He returned home on the QE II in the fall of 1945, unknowingly travelling home on the same ship as his brother Jim. Dad and Mum purchased the family farm in 1946 from his mother, living there for 41 years before moving to Winnipeg in 1988.  During that time he farmed and for 20 years worked at the Winnipeg Post Office.  They had built many friendships while on the farm and continued to drive back to Stonewall area for church, meetings and friends.  They moved from the house on Canoe Bay to Lion Estates before Mum passed in 2010. Dad then lived at Sturgeon Creek for a short time before feeling the pull of the Stonewall area and moved to a duplex in town while waiting for a spot at the Lion’s Manor.  Once “home” Dad enjoyed attending church and Fun Fridays at the Legion where he became quite proficient at Pool Top Curling. He proudly marched on Decoration Day every June until he was 96 years old. He also took part in Quarry Days, riding on the Legion float many times including this past August.  Dad enjoyed reminiscing with all who would listen and had many stories to tell of the past. He was a collector of tools, sometimes having 2 or 3 of the same one. Dad lived his life on his terms.  He had strong opinions on how things should be done and was not afraid to voice those opinions.  He was very proud of his family, both present and past, and all their accomplishments.  He leaves us with a wealth of memories and he will be missed dearly. The family would like to thank the staff at Deer Lodge and Stonewall Hospitals for their care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grassmere United Church  c/o Stonewall Pastoral Charge 369 First Avenue N, Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0 Funeral Service to be held Thursday, December 28, 2017 @ 1:00 p.m. at Stonewall United Church.

On December 7, 2017 Harry Floyd Raymond began his spiritual journey. He is survived by his 3 sons Dwayne (Penny), Blair (Lizette), Randy (Lori) and by his grandchildren Kyle, Eric, and Neely. Floyd also leaves behind his sister Doreen (Gary), brother Marvin (Sydney), and his brother in law Harold Siemens. He was predeceased by his loving wife Viola, his sister Helga, parents Harry and Sveinbjorg Swanson, and his father/mother in law Oli and Jonina Gislason. Floyd was born in June 1932, grew up in Riverton and kept his fond memories of the town, the people, and spending time with his many cousins on their farm. There was always a special place in his heart for his uncle Valdi Johnson. He also helped out in the family Cafe,       enjoyed curling and was a goaltender for the Riverton Lions hockey club. In 1953 he began his career with Manitoba Telephone System where he was employed for 34 years as a cable splicer and retired as a manager. He moved the family from Winnipeg to Stonewall in 1971 and the next few years were consumed with taking his boys to endless hockey/baseball practices and games. He was also a member of the Stonewall Oldtimers Hockey Club and he and Viola travelled to many tournaments in western Canada. Some of his long retirement was spent taking his fifth wheel to Arizona, fishing at Wallace Lake, and drinking coffee in Sigs Grill, Chicken Chef and the Rockwood Motor Inn. The majority of his free time took him to numerous hockey arenas and baseball diamonds in and out of the province to watch his grandchildren play sports. Special thanks goes out to the entire staff of Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall for the comfort and care given to our Dad.      A private family service will be held at a later date.

As a family we are saddened to announce the passing of Antoine Beasse on December 1st, 2017. He leaves behind his daughter Holly, son in law Jim and his grand daughter Kaliesa.   To most he was known as “Tony”, to some he has become infamous as “The Tony” in the antics of spending time with his daughter.   He was a busy man, liked to keep a foot going in one direction and lived by the adage “work while the sun is shining”.   His garage was his anchor, home base, mess, and space and damn don’t you take something and not put it back.  He knew where the smallest bolt was so you did him no favors by placing it elsewhere.  This was his kingdom.  He took great joy in the ability to fix anything that had an engine and became obsessed when it didn’t work and defied it to defeat him.   He became a welder by trade and it took him to several jobs in Canada and eventually led him to Bristol Aerospace in Stony Mountain.  A job he enjoyed where he wore many hats. We used to giggle because the supper table talk went from Black Brant rockets to the odd occasional shift where it was obvious he was in charge of skunk removal.   It was at Bristol where he worked as well retired and made some of his lifelong friendships.  Bristol had one heck of a great crew back then.  Employees loyally herded their families out to Lake St George and the caravan raced to get there.   Many a fishing story was born and lives on to this day. Oh the joy at catching big freight trains and landing them.  His favorite was the goal of pickerel in the pan.  Those were the days!   Tony and Laura met, married and had Holly in Calgary.  They then moved to Winnipeg before settling in Balmoral. They both were always to be found at the Rec centre having coffee with their friends.  Tony ended up moving to Stony Mountain after Laura was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  He loyally went and visited and did what he could for her until her passing.  Tony comes from Ste Rose Du Lac, and leaves many cousins and friends behind.  For Tony there is a love of music that runs through his veins.  He doesn’t just hear it he feels it.  He has played guitar for enjoyment, employment and amusement.  He’s made friendships that really have lasted his lifetime. Country and Western, Bluegrass, Gospel or a Metis jig, if it had a beat to follow he was playing it.   Saturday ritual in our house, change the strings, polish the Gretsch, shower, watch Bugs Bunny then load up and out the door. Going gigging.  He played until recently with his friends until he just couldn’t anymore.  Not many 49 year olds can call home and their Dad is out.  “I had a gig”.  Good on you.    All this time he still managed to be a Dad, one hell of a Dad.  What a reliable man he was, one call to Dad was often the fix.  He has fixed bikes, roller skates, boo boos, tires, cars, empty wallets and hearts.  He mentioned checking the oil in the car and the price of gas because one had to know these things.   He took us fishing, camping, skating, swimming, movies.  Truck stops for coffee and eats.    Tony had a great bond with Jim, his son in law over their love of fishing and music.  He was so proud to hand his guitar over to Jim but never quite understood his son in laws music choices.   Tony left Jim knowing that they loved each other to pieces and thankful for their years of not just being family but friends. One of his proudest moments was holding his new little grand daughter.  Kaliesa is his little gem.  He’s been so proud of her love for education and drive to “get schooling”.  He wants her to be the smartest smarty pants on the block.  He proudly showed her off at Christmas parties even giving away his coveted title of Santa; it was his turn to be Grampa!  Grampa and Grandma  had been lassoed by “The Prettiest Girl on the Prairie”.  He sees the Laura in her.  You could see the love in his eyes as she cared for him in the last few months, you could see he wanted more time to see her spread her wings. We were lucky to have him. This past year had been succession of battles that his body could not fight. Friends were behind him offering whatever they could whenever it was needed.  Wes was always there.   Darien was such a support, if only we can all have such a beautiful person in our corner.  She now has an angel watching over her, doing his best from afar to be there in kind. Keith and Jennie, a man can’t ask for much more in a friend than you both.  You have been a support, a shoulder to lean on, a confidante and partner in crime.  You have our admiration, respect and love. The Legion and Chicken Chef were two of his home away from homes. Thank you to all that have been asking about how he was doing. We want to thank everyone who took the time to support him in this last year, to all the faces that came and met us at the hospital we thank you sincerely.  His stories were endless and he sure enjoyed his time with many of you.  Thank you all for checking in on each other. Dad wished to be buried with his parents in Ste Rose.  We want to wait until the spring to have a service there as we say our good bye in one of the last chapters of letting go. Lastly, my Mother would raise hell if the nurses, Drs., palliative care, home care and staff weren’t thanked.  We needed you and you were there.  Our thanks also to Ken Loehmer, you truly have been a comfort at this time. And finally to Lucie, you are an angel that walks the earth.  Thank you for being there with us all. Its now his time to step up and take his place on stage, as part of The Angel Band.  Go rest high on that mountain Dad your time on earth is done A daughter can only be so lucky to have a Dad like him.  I thank you and love you Dad.