George Garnet Laing

Obituary

Passed on

It is with deep sadness we announce the sudden passing of our Dad, George “Garnet” Laing on July 9, 2024 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, MB at the age of 77 years.

He will be deeply missed by his son Ryan (Kara) Whyat, Isabel, his daughter Sherri (Murray) Sonny, Ty, Cheyenne, his sister Norma (Bill) and family, his brother- in-law Geoff (Audrey) and family, and sister-in-law Sandy and family.

Garnet was predeceased by his parents George and Mary Laing, his loving wife of 49 years Lindsae Laing, his father-in-law John McIvor, mother-in-law Irene McIvor, and brother-in-law Leon McIvor.

Garnet loved his “green machines” and when Paul Harvey wrote the poem “So God made a Farmer” we truly believe he wrote it for our Dad. Dad survived polio as a child and never let polio defeat him in any way shape or form. From working with his Dad on the family farm, to custom combining, working construction with Nelson River, Mulders Construction and Lesters.

To driving school bus for the Interlake School Division and part time with the Stonewall and District Handivan. He met numerous people, family and friends over his lifetime with always a good story to tell, he never forgot a child’s face that rode his school bus run, or anyone that rode the Handivan, especially “Rick Puddifant”. Dad always had time to stop and chat and always seemed to know someone wherever he went, or when we drove his truck, he was always aware where he went…

Dad’s grandchildren were the light of his life and would always have a story to tell everyone he met about all of them and their accomplishments or save all the newspaper clippings of them. From riding the golf cart checking for ducks, watching them in hockey, soccer, or baseball, from rodeo to horse shows or hitching up teams. He especially loved talking farming with all of them, or back in the day we used to walk 7 miles to school up hill both ways, or ya know your animals should always eat before you.

Dad taught us a lot of good life lessons over the years. He enjoyed going for his drives checking the crops but between you and us it was really the pizza dates with Mom that they enjoyed. There was always the story of Clear Lake and the fish that he caught that remained in the freezer for 10 years because it was not big enough to feed a cat. Dad had a love for Charolais cattle with his prize bull “Bobby Acorn Acres”. To be honest he loves all animals and would bring Mom home surprises as he would say from Inwood Auction.

After retirement from school bus and construction Dad got tired of not farming, so he went to work with Elskamp Farms where he got to drive all the green machines he wanted and go on parts runs.

We would like to extend our extreme gratitude to the Doctors, Nurses and support staff at the Health Sciences Centre and Selkirk General Hospital where they went above and beyond to make sure Dad was as comfortable as possible during his passing and treated us with the most respect and kindness.

As per Dad’s wishes cremation has taken place with no service held.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire donations may be made in Dad’s name to a charity of one’s choice.

“May you be farming in Heaven Dad”

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