OBITUARIES
- Hellen Torgunrud Steiro
On Friday, October 1, 1999, Hellen Torgunrud Steiro passed
away at Beautiful Plains Villa in Yellow Grass at the age of
92 years. Predeceased by her first husband, Melvin Torgunrud
in 1950; her second husband Ray Steiro; daughter-in-law, Evelyn
Torgunrud; step daughter and son-in-law, Alfrida and Danny Scott;
stepson Harold Steiro; son-in-law, Julian Ness; stepson-in-law,
Alfred Marshall. Hellen will be lovingly remembered by her family:
Norma Ness, Merlin Torgunrud, Jean (Mervin) Freeman, all of Weyburn;
Janice (Leroy) Walkom of Edmonton, AB; her step-children: George
(Selma) Wood, Ralph (Rose) Steiro, Carl (Betty) Steiro, Raymond
(Sharon) Steiro, Helen Dummanchuck and Arlene Steiro, all of
BC; and Dagny Marshall of Moose Jaw; 34 grandchildren, 59 great
grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Hellen was
born January 30, 1907 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the third child
of the marriage of Olof Hanson and Anna Martina nee Johnson.
The family came to homestead near Lake Alma in 1910, and only
a year later, her mother died. Her father remarried, and Helen
was raised in a large double family. On October 9, 1925, Hellen
married Melvin Torgunrud, whom she had known in the community.
They farmed in the Maxim area and raised their family of four
children: Norma (whose twin Nina died in infancy), Merlin, Janice
and Jean. There were many hard years, and Hellen involved her
children in her clothes sewing projects, supervising and completing
everything from reclaiming cloth to cutting patterns from catalogue
models to sizing hand-me-downs, all at the kitchen table. Hellen
was quite musical, playing piano, guitar, and electric autoharp.
She played for church services at the Round Grove School House
and later at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She instilled music in
her children, and together with Melvin they played at many house
parties and school dances. Then Melvin was stricken with cancer,
and he died after three months in hospital. Hellen was remarried
on July 16, 1951 to Ray Steiro, and surprised the family with
the announcement of their honeymoon. With four of Ray's children
still at home and two of Hellen's, theirs was a busy household.
Hellen was known to make 12 loaves of bread every other day.
Cook, cook, cook described her main occupation, for family, company,
friends and harvest crews. Recreation was whist and other card
games, dominoes and checkers of different types, and of course
music. But central in life was church involvement at Emmanuel,
with Luther League and Ladies' Aid, especially the quilting bees.
Hellen was best know for her hand-stitched quilts, which were
presented at many family weddings. Her goal, which she achieved,
was to prepare a quilt for all her children's children before
she died. In 1973, Ray and Hellen moved to Weyburn. They joined
the seniors group and enjoyed traveling and many other activities
with them. After Ray died in 1985 Hellen sold the house and took
a two bedroom apartment, turning one room into her sewing den.
As arthritis worsened, she moved to the Beautiful Plains Villa
in Yellow Grass. Eventually arthritis confined her to a wheelchair,
but her strong faith sustained her, and she drew others into
a regular communion circle. With increasing loss of independance,
hellen increasingly waited on God's timing while expressing her
love and appreciation for her family and friends. Then on October
1, after declining to have breakfast, Hellen died peacefully
in her bed. She was a very special person and a great mother,
and will be very sadly missed. Funeral service was held Tuesday,
October 5 at 2:00 p.m. from Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn, with
Pastor Ron Bestvater officiating. Interment followed in Green
Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn. All those in attendance were
considered to be honorary pallbearers. The active pallbearers
were her grandsons: Rick Torgunrud, Daryl Torgunrud, Garry Ness,
Mervin Ness, Ken Freeman and Bob Walkom. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn, in
her memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels
Ltd., Weyburn.
- Mathilda "Tillie" Brems
On Tuesday, October 5, 1999, Mathilda "Tillie" Brems,
late of Stoughton passed away at New Hope Pioneer Lodge at the
age of 91 years. Tillie was born December 23, 1907 at Forget,
SK. Predeceased by her parents James and Marie Lepine; two sisters:
Eugenie (Antonio) Bonin and Lilliane (Ludger) Vallee; four brothers-in-law:
James Flower, Fred Brems, Gert Brems and Antonio Bonin; and by
her loving husband of 58 years, Bob Brems. Mathilda is survived
by her brothers and sisters: Emile (Bert) Lepine, Marie Flower,
Wilfred (Amelie) Lepine, and Germine (John) Breunel, all of St.
Rose Du Lac, MB; Blanche (Walter) Powney of Winnipeg; and Rene
(Dot) Lepine of Hamiota, MB; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was held Saturday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m. from
Grace United Church, Stoughton, with Rev. Jann Sampson officiating.
Interment followed in Stoughton cemetery. The active pallbearers
were: Emile Breunel, John Breunel, Jim Dumur, Wilfred Vallee,
Wilfred Coderre, and Harold Coderre. All others in attendance
were considered to be honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers,
for friends so wishing, donations may be made to the New Hope
Pioneer Lodge, Stoughton, in her memory. Arrangements were entrusted
to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.
- Marcella Ellen Norman
On Tuesday, September 28, 1999, Marcella Ellen Norman, late of
Weyburn, passed away at Weyburn General Hospital, at the age
of 82 years. Predeceased by an infant brother, Harold Russel
Carr in 1922, twin sister Loucella Margaret Gregory in 1943;
father, Russel Peter Carr in 1968; brother Peter Russel Carr
in 1972; husband Herbert Allen Norman in 1984, mother Marcella
Flora Carr in 1984, one sister Geraldine Gertrude Linley, and
a granddaughter Karen Lesley Vivienne Norman in 1992. Marcella
leaves to mourn, her one daughter, Arlene Lue of Regina; four
sons: Brian (Mary) Norman of Kingston, NS; Douglas (Gwen) Norman
of Bashaw, AB; Michael Norman of Aylmer, PQ; and Patrick Norman
of Ottawa, ON; three sisters: Joan (Herman) Linley of Weyburn;
June Larsen of Whiterock, BC; and Bernadine Carr of Weyburn;
ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; as well as numerous
nieces and nephews. Marcella was born in Elgin, MB on March 23,
1917. The family moved to Weyburn before she was old enough to
attend school, so she attended Haig School and the Weyburn Collegiate
Institute. Marcella was fond of many sports in school, including
skating, swimming and track and field events. She married Herbert
Allen Norman of Weyburn on November 11, 1937 and they resided
in Weyburn all their lives. Marcella was a housewife and a loving
mother all of her life. In her later years she took up poetry
and painting. Funeral service was held Friday, October 1, at
2:00 p.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, with Rev. Julie
Collings officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest cemetery,
Weyburn. The active pallbearers were: Dave Irwin, Neal Keefe,
Bobby Little, Vladimer Bocian, Mike Bocian and Keith Martin.
Those wishing to express their sympathy may donate to a charity
of the donor's choice, in her memory. Arrangements were in care
of Hastings-Dionne Funeral Home Inc., Weyburn.
- Earl Allan Hewson
On Saturday, October 2, 1999, Earl Allan (Buddy) Hewson, late
of Weyburn, and formerly of Oungre passed away at Souris Valley
Extended Care Center, at the age of 76 years. Predeceased by
his parents, Albert and Lola Hewson; brothers, Warren and Bobby
Hewson; and sisters: Della Domstad, Verna Redderman and Buehla
Vickary. Buddy is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral
service was held Wednesday, October 6, at 2:00 p.m. from the
Hamar Lutheran Church, Bromhead, SK with Pastor Paul Roellchen-Pfolh
officiating. Interment followed in the Lutheran cemetery, Hoffer,
SK. The active pallbearers were: Walton Eddy, Dennis Melby, Don
McNeil, Frank Durst, Lloyd Hansen, Johnny Hansen and Don Buck.
Those wishing to express their sympathy may donate to the Canadian
Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice, in his
memory. Arrangements were in care of Hastings-Dionne Funeral
Home Inc., Weyburn.
The
Weyburn Review
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
Phone: (306) 842-7487
Fax: (306) 842-0282
E-mail: weyburn.review@sk.sympatico.ca
This web page and its contents are copyright of the Weyburn
Review (1987) Ltd.
