Harriet Alexandra (Tommie) Weir
April 22, 1923 – November 26, 2013

Harriet Alexandra (Tommie) Weir (née Thompson,) age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Hillcrest Place in Brandon, Manitoba, with her family by her side.

Tommie was born April 22, 1923 on the family farm near Davidson, Saskatchewan the ninth of Harold (Harry) and Olivia Thompson’s fourteen children. Raised in Davidson, she trained as a Registered Nurse at the Regina General Hospital. There she became better known by her nickname Tommie, a derivative of her maiden name. The name stuck; her given name common only among her extended family.

While nursing at the Regina General Hospital, Tommie caught the eye of Walter Weir, a young man from High Bluff and Portage la Prairie who was apprenticing as a funeral director with Speers Funeral Home. Walter informed his parents, Maude (Christina Maude Cox-Smith) and Dick (James Dixon) Weir, who then resided in Winnipeg, that he was bringing his friend Tommie home for Christmas. Much to their shock, Tommie turned out to be a young woman. Maude quickly changed the sleeping arrangements while Dick poured Tommie her first drink!

Tommie and Walter married at the United Church in Davidson on November 3, 1951. They moved to Portage la Prairie where Walter began work at McMaster Funeral Home and Tommie worked as a nurse at the Portage General Hospital, residing in a suite over Hill’s Pharmacy. Their first child, Leslie Enid, was born shortly after and the young family moved to Minnedosa shortly after as the new owners of Weir’s Funeral Home (complete with local ambulance service, flower shop and furniture store, a common combination at the time.) Three sons came along over the next few years; John Dixon, James Patrick and Hugh Cameron.

Walter was elected as a member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 1959 under Progressive Conservative Premier Duff Roblin, requiring him to be away from home a great deal. Tommie kept the family and their business on an even keel. Walter’s appointment as a Cabinet Minister led to a move to Winnipeg in 1963 and eventual sale of the funeral home to Hugh Sanderson, a long-time employee, but developed the cottage as a connection for family and community.

In November, 1967, Walter succeeded Duff Roblin as Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, hence becoming the Premier of the Province, a post he proudly held when he presided over the official opening of the Red River Floodway in 1968 and when together he and Tommie participated in hosting Manitoba’s Centennial celebrations, including the historic visit of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1970.

Tommie weathered the highs, lows and stresses of many election campaigns by Walter’s side. They were partners in public life. Their home was a gathering place for political colleagues and respected opponents, Minnedosa constituents and people from all walks of life who enjoyed their friendship and hospitality.

Retiring from public life in 1971, Walter and Tommie made their new home in Mississauga, Ontario, where Walter became President of Service Corporation International Canada and later joined Memorial Gardens. Their three sons kept life interesting and they enjoyed new friendships with neighbours and more frequent visits with “eastern” relatives. Five years later they decided to return to their roots, moving home to Minnedosa where Walter established a financial planning and insurance business. Tommie became involved in the community, particularly enjoying her leadership role in celebrating Minnedosa’s Centennial in 1983 and the Canada Summer Games in 1997. She tended a large garden for many years that kept her busy pickling and canning things that she loved to share with others. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and crafts which will remain family treasures.

When Walter passed away unexpectedly in April, 1985, Tommie rose to the challenge of being family matriarch. She continued to be interested and involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and her extended family. In earlier years Tommie enjoyed walks around the dam and beach road near her home in Minnedosa. She took care of and remembered countless relatives, friends and neighbours throughout the years, always finding ways to show kindness to others, whether it was funny cards, gag gifts her Halloween goodie bags, gifts of Christmas baking, decorated Christmas brooms or home-made antipasto, candy or fudge. In recent years crosswords kept her mind sharp and her vocabulary impressive. She enjoyed following sports, especially favourite players, always pleased to win a few dollars from Cam on their friendly bets.

Tommie was predeceased by her parents Olivia and Harry Thompson, husband Walter, his parents, Maude and Dick Weir, and her brother-in-law Bill Weir; her sisters, Nettie Frances, Gladys, Bertha Paintin and husband Claude, Lillian Bigg and husband Robert, Helen Hrubetz, Olivia Gillespie and husband Harold and brothers Stanley, Leslie, Alex, Robert (Barney) and his wife Margaret and their son Dale, who always had a special place in her heart.

Tommie also cherished the memory of beloved pets that were part of her family over the years, Mike, Tinkerbelle, Tuffy-Lin, Tuk, Brando, Quinn and Kayla and more recently time with Lynx, Patches and Comet.

Mom will be missed by her children, Leslie, her partner Terry Cheater and his family, granddaughter Kara Frain and husband Gord Dowhan, great-granddaughter Victoria Mary Dowhan (born after Mom’s passing), John Weir, J.P. (Pat) Weir, his partner Theressa Treloar and her family, Cam and his wife Alison Weir and their sons Nigel and Tyler as well as her sisters May Gill and her husband Bev (Unionville, ON,) Grace Halstead and her husband Ludwig (Skip) (Thomasville, Georgia,) brother Glenn Thompson and his wife Jesmond (Gimli, MB) and Leslie’s widow Elizabeth (Betty) Thompson in the United States in addition to many nieces, nephews and her vast extended family.

Leslie, John and Cam extend heartfelt appreciation to Pat and Theressa for always being there for Mom.

In accordance with Mom’s wishes, a private family service will be held and her remains will be interred next to Walter at the Minnedosa Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should you wish to honour Tommie’s life please show kindness to someone who may be lonely or alone or make a gift in her memory to a cause you care about. Her family is thankful for her long life, well lived. Messages of condolence may be posted at www.brockiedonovan.com. Arrangements are in care of Brockie Donovan Funeral and Cremation Services, Brandon, MB, (204) 727-0694.

Lowdermilk
God has taken another angel home. Edna Mae Lowdermilk born on January 4, 1926 passed away peacefully on December 3, 2013 at the Davidson Health Centre where she lived since she moved from Kenaston in 2005. She has gone to be with the lord and to be reunited with departed family members.
Loving mother to Leslie (Marie), Linda (Richard), Lorne (Heather), Lee (MaryEllen). She will be sadly missed by ten grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, five sisters Fay, Lois, Fern, Marie, Doris and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members. Edna was predeceased by her parents Irwin and Minnie Ames, husband Bernard, grandsons Steven and Rosco Lowdermilk and sister Jean and brothers Cecil and Orville.
Edna was born in Davidson and lived on the Ames family farm until 1945 when she went to Saskatoon and took a secretarial course and lived with her sister Marie who was also attending school. She married Bernard September 1, 1949 and moved to the farm in Kenaston where they lived until 1982 when they built a new house in town and lived till moving to Davidson. She enjoyed gardening and her flowers gave her great pride. She loved spending time with her children and helping Bernard on the farm as best she could. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and loved it when they would come and stay with her. She didn’t have a lot of hobbies but did enjoy needlework. After moving to town Bernard and her were regulars at weekly bingo games. She also enjoyed carpetbowling at the Adams Centre or just going to visit with friends there. They also attended many dances at the old hall as they both liked to dance and listen to music.
The interment for Edna will be held at a later date. For friends so wishing memorials in memory of her may be directed to the Davidson Health Centre.
Hanson’s Funeral Home in Davidson in care of arrangements.

Pavelich
The peaceful death of Mrs. Emelia “Amy” Caroline Pavelich (nee Schneider), 82 years of St. Mary’s Villa, Humboldt and formerly of Davidson and Bladworth, occurred on Monday, November 18, 2013. Amy was born on May 14, 1931 at Allan to Michael and Catherine (nee Feist) Schneider. She grew up in a family of nine and attended Limestone Hill School. Following her education, she worked at domestic jobs for various families in the area. Amy met Lawrence Pavelich at a dance in Allan and they were married on October 16, 1950 in Seltz, Sask. Their only son, Peter was born in the same house in which Amy had been born. They operated a mixed farm in the Bladworth area. Amy loved gardening and tending to her many beautiful flowers, especially her red poppies, which were not only decorative but used in her baking as well. She was gifted at cooking and baking, with her specialties being buns, apple pies, kooka, cinnamon buns and perogies. Peter remembers coming home from school almost daily to a freshly baked apple pie. Amy enjoyed crocheting, making afghans and doilies. She was very meticulous with her cleaning and she kept their home spotless. Amy was a statistician, keeping accurate records of the weather for many years. She was vocal about her political views, writing many letters to the government officials, feeling that you couldn’t be heard, if you didn’t write. She also filled many little books with the many poems she wrote over the years. Amy and Lawrence loved to dance, belonging to several dance clubs and attending dances throughout the province. In 1995, they retired to Davidson, where they lived for 12 years before moving to Humboldt. In January 2013, due to Alzheimer’s, she made the move to St. Mary’s Villa. Amy’s family meant everything to her, they may have been few in number but they shared a very special bond. Amy will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her husband of 63 years, Lawrence Pavelich; son Peter (Debra) Pavelich; granddaughter Carla (Michael) Barlage and children Logan, Noah and Paige; and grandson Cory (Janelle) Pavelich and children Carter and Kenzie, all of Humboldt; two brothers and two sisters: Pius Schneider of Aberdeen, SD, Marcella Mitzel of Sunnyside, WA, Terri (Ed) Haberman of Victoria, B.C., and Lawrence (Kaye) Schneider of Stony Plain, Alta.; sister-in-law Grace Schneider; in-laws of the Pavelich family, Vincent (Pat) Pavelich and Shirley (Dale) Weisner, all of Kenaston; and numerous nieces and nephews. Amy was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Catherine Schneider; brothers and sisters: Andrew (Shirley) Schneider, Elizabeth (Ken) Christopher, Ray (Lucy) Schneider and Jerome Schneider; brothers and sisters-in-law: Pete Mitzel, Francis (Jim) Irvin, Mary (John) Howard, Ann Pavelich, John Pavelich, Helen (Bill) Kardish, Joe (Mary) Pavelich, Steve Pavelich and Andrew Pavelich. The Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt celebrated by Fr. Gregory Roth. Interment followed at the St. Augustine Parish Cemetery. Memorial donations in Amy’s memory may be directed to the St. Mary’s Villa Foundation. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt (306-682-1622).

Kretsch
Leonard William Kretsch of Elbow, Sask., age 86 passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2013 at the Davidson Health Centre, Davidson, Sask.
Leonard is survived by his loving family: wife Doreen; stepdaughter Linda Butcher; niece Sharlene Theede; brother Milton (Helen) Kretsch; sister Bernice (Norman) Monich; sister-in-law Donna Kretsch; also numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 1 p.m. from the Bethel Lutheran Church, Elbow, Sask. with celebrants Rev. Father Stephen Ripplinger and Rev. Father Joseph Gyim-Austin officiating.
Interment in the family plot, Elbow Community Cemetery, Elbow, Sask.
For friends so wishing memorials in memory of Leonard may be directed to the charity of your choice.
Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask. in care of arrangements. Phone 306-567-2020; fax 306-567-2000. Email: hansonsfuneralhome@sasktel.net

Helen Remmen
April 25, 1925 – October 30, 2013
Helen Remmen passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 30, 2013.
Left to mourn are her husband of 59 years, Rolf; daughter Marilyn (Gerald); son Arnold (Wendy) ; daughter Betty (Derrick); daughter Cathy (Dwight); son David (Tammy); and son Murray (Cathy); 16 grandchildren and one great-grandson; sister Nellie Ballard; sister-in-law Lillie Schultz; brothers-in-law Allen (Lil) Toles, Patty, Ivar and Punch Remmen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, Ernie and Rosa Harbor; her parents-in-law, Tom and Anna Remmen; her brother Stanley (WWII); her sisters, Doris Toles and Catherine Suttie; her sisters-and brothers-in-law, Lyle Ballard, Jim Suttie, Stella (Sveinung) Trulsred, Torger (Bertha) Remmen, Irene Remmen, Harold Schultz, Marie (Cliff) Doncaster and niece Ann Archibald. A funeral service for Helen was held on Nov. 5, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Hanley Lutheran Church. Pastor Kristin Soveran officiated.
Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson were in charge of arrangements. Her cremains were laid to rest at the Sunny Valley Cemetary.

Goodsman, George Edward
October 18, 1917 – October 26, 2013

George Edward Goodsman was born at home on his father’s homestead on October 18, 1917. He took his schooling at Bermuda School and completed grade eight before leaving school to assist his father on the farm. He remained a farmer all of his life. He grew up in the age of horses and always loved them. He owned and enjoyed horses throughout his lifetime. He chose to serve his Lord and Master in 1933 at the age of 16 and was faithful to this choice to the end of his days. He married Jean when he was 35 years old and was married for almost 61 years. He died peacefully in the Davidson Health Centre on October 26, 2013 at the age of 96. In his younger days, George loved to have fun and was known to be a tease. He had a wonderful memory for numbers, names and events until his final illness. We have lost a link with the history of this community as well as the history related to friends and family. In the last stage of his life his caregivers remarked on how thankful he was.

He is dearly loved and fondly remembered by his wife Jean of Stalwart; three sons; Gordon of Thailand (Brenda); Gary (Bonny) and Glenn of Stalwart ; and his daughter Gayla of Lethbridge, Alta., as well as grandchildren Devin, Tanna and Jeric and step-grandchildren Sheena, Chelsea (Tyler, Kale) and Sean. He is survived by one brother, Frank (Helen) of Lumsden and brother-in-law Albert (Olive) of Viking, Alta.; sisters-in-law Edna of Saskatoon, Marie of Stalwart, Ellen of Regina, Marg of Maple Ridge, B.C., Ella of Calgary, Alta., Audrey of Kelowna, B.C. and Phyllis of Viking, Alta. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
 

The funeral service was held in Imperial Community Centre, Imperial, Sask. on Friday, November 1 at 2 p.m. conducted by Jim Atcheson. A private family interment preceded in Imperial Cemetery. For those so wishing donations to Long Lake Valley Foundation or Davidson Health Centre would be appreciated. For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation please visit http://www.fotheringham-mcdougall.com