OBITUARIES
Donald Dufferin
Mann
- Donald Dufferin Mann passed away at Weyburn General Hospital
October 29, 1999, at the age of 88. He is predeceased by his
beloved wife of 60 years, Gertrude; his sister, Dorothy Taylor;
brother-in-law, Donald Armstrong; and nephew Frederick Taylor.
He is survived by his son, Donald Thomas (Diane) Mann; daughter
Barbara (Ernie) Nelson; granddaughters: Jennifer (Kevin) Boothe,
Stephanie Mann, Sara Nelson and Krista Nelson; great-granddaughters:
Chelsea and Hannah Boothe; sister-in-law Blanche Armstrong; nieces
Diane (Ron) Asquith, and Arden (Albert) Okazaki; and nephew David
(Marilyn) Armstrong. Funeral service was held at Calvary Baptist
Church, Weyburn, Wednesday, November 3, 1999 at 2:00 p.m., officiated
by Rev. David Ogilvie. Interment was at Hillcrest Cemetery. A
lunch followed in the church basement. Pallbearers were Bob Elliot,
Jack Onstad, Grant Marinos, Gary Anderson, Jim Hutchings and
Staff Nimegeers. Everyone in attendance was an honorary pallbearer.
Don was born in Wheaton Settlement, New Brunswick June 6, 1911,
and attended school there, growing up in Peticodiac. At the age
of 16, having skipped two grades and graduated from High School,
he moved to Moncton and went to work for the Eaton Co. in their
shipping office. At one point he was in charge of Customs for
Eaton's and responsible for all goods imported and exported for
the company. September 2, 1937 he married Sarah Gertrude (Gertrude)
Huestis, his sweetheart of seven years, and they built a home
at 40 Orchard Drive in Moncton. Eleven months later, in August,
1938, their son, Tom, was born. The family lived in Moncton until
1946, when Don was transferred to Eaton's Winnipeg store, in
Sales. Their stay there was short-lived, as in 1949 Don was promoted
to Manager, and sent to Weyburn to open a brand new Eaton's store.
Don managed Eaton's in Weyburn until 1962, when he retired after
35 years of service. In December, 1953, their daughter, Barbara,
was born. Dr. Ferg Eaglesham, a good friend and witty, phoned
Don with the news and said, "Congratulations, Don. You're
a Grandfather." When Don protested, Ferg replied, "Well,
you're old enough." He was 42. Don always said that having
a second child later in life gave him a new lease on life, and
made him feel young again. Don was very active in the community
of Weyburn. He was a lifetime member of Weyburn Masonic Lodge
#20, a founding member of the Elks Club of Weyburn, and a lifetime
member of the Weyburn Rotary Club. In 1998 he was awarded an
engraved clock for over 35 years of service to Rotary. He was
recently awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary,
a very high honour given for service to his community. Don was
elected president of the Weyburn Senior Chamber of Commerce in
1955. As president, he had a hand in attracting Canada Wire and
Cable to North Weyburn after the air force training base closed,
and also the building of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool "B"
elevator, having convinced CP Rail that it was to their advantage
to build a rail line there. Don always said that Weyburn was
the best place in the world to live, and promoted his city as
much as he could. In later years, his involvement in the community
was less active, as he became busier with work, and in his retirement.
In November of 1962, Don, Gertrude and Barb moved to Phoenix,
Arizona, where Tom had moved the year before to work for NBC.
In Phoenix, Don worked for Lomas-Nettleton in real estate and
investments. The family moved back to Weyburn in November, 1966,
where Don and Gertrude purchased Expert Dry Cleaners from Effie
Kozar. Don and Gertrude worked extremely hard to make the business
the best it could be, and were very successful. In 1970 Don was
elected Business Man of the Week, for his hard work and the exemplary
service offered to the public by Expert Dry Cleaners. In October,
1979, they retired, selling the business and making travel their
next goal. Don and Gertrude loved to travel. Tom and Barb enjoyed
many a family vacation while growing up, from Vancouver to Charlottetown,
San Diego to New York City. Don especially enjoyed finding interesting
places to spend time with his children, such as Mammoth Caves
in Missouri, Yellowstone Park, the San Diego Zoo or simply a
roadside picnic area with a playground, or an ice cream stand.
The swinging bridge at Souris, Manitoba was a favourite stop
on trips east. Don worked hard at his career, and enjoyed his
family vacations very much. After retirement, Don and Gertrude
made travel their yearly goal, taking trips by train to New Brunswick
to visit family, by car to California to see Tom and family,
or by ship. The Queen Elizabeth II was the ship they chose to
travel on, and their first cruise was from from New York to Southampton
in 1980. They spent that summer and the next two in Great Britain,
renting a flat in London and traveling all over the British Isles
on British Rail. After that, it was off to parts unknown, with
their second cruise on the QE II from New York to Los Angeles
via the Panama Canal. They had caught the cruise "bug"
by then and became members of the Cunard World Cruise Society
in 1988, circumnavigating the world and visiting many exotic
places. Two more World Cruises followed in 1991 and 1993. In
1994, Gertrude became too ill to travel, after suffering a broken
hip in 1987 with several operations. Don was a very gregarious
man. He loved people and had the "gift of gab." He
would talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime, on any subject. On many
a vacation, Gertrude and Barb went shopping in a strange city,
arranging to meet Don at a certain time. Don was invariably late.
After waiting a while, Gertrude and Barb would search for Don
and find him engrossed in conversation with a total stranger,
having found something in common with him to talk about. Weyburn's
Coffee Row was his favourite place to be during breaks from work
and in retirement, and he regaled his friends with many a story
or joke, puns being his special favourite. His sense of humour
was well known. He had a serious side as well, and would discuss
business or politics with much knowledge and practicality. Don's
generosity was unlimited. He loved to help people, but in a quiet
way, never seeking the limelight. He helped several Weyburn businessmen
get their start, and it gave him great pleasure to see them succeed.
In 1957, Tom came home for the summer from the University of
Winnipeg with his best friend, Vern Prior. In September, Tom
went back to school and Vern stayed on with the Manns until he
married. Vern became a second son to Don and Gertrude and big
brother to Barb. His family always came first with Don, and his
greatest joy was to see them happy. Christmas was a special time
for Don, and he spent much time searching for the perfect gift
or surprise to bring a smile to his loved ones' faces. Tom remembers
a Christmas when he very much wanted a new bicycle. Christmas
morning came and no bike. Not under the tree, not anywhere to
be seen. After Tom had opened all his gifts, Don hinted that
maybe Santa left something behind the tree and there was the
brand new shiny bicycle. Santa didn't forget, and he never did.
As manager of Eaton's, Don made many trips to Winnipeg for management
meetings, and there was always something in his suitcase for
Barb when he came home. He would go to his bedroom and open his
suitcase, pretending to unpack, and Barb would find nestled in
the clothing a special gift. Gertrude was the recipient of many
gifts and would always giggle when she opened them, her special
way of saying, "thank you." Don was frugal with himself,
however, and would save all his Christmas and birthday presents
"for good," always wearing the same old sweater or
shirt "because it was comfortable, and he never knew when
he might need a new one." Finding Christmas and birthday
presents for Don was not an easy task. He settled for socks,
ties, hankies and chocolates many a year, and was just as happy
with them as if they had been a gold watch. Don loved to tinker
and had the ability to fix anything electrical. He re-wired the
Staveley House himself when they moved there in 1968, even installing
speakers with wires from the den to the kitchen so he could listen
to the TV news at suppertime. Radios, toasters and clocks were
always fixed, and never thrown away. His workshop is something
to behold. He built a set of Christmas lights for his home from
scratch, with complicated switches and timers that he built himself.
The entire house was lit up at Christmas, with reindeer in the
windows, a flashing golden star on the top central eave of the
house; two automated ringing bells, a large automated 'Noel',
and synchronized lights on the balcony railing; with many other
lights for trim. His house became a Christmas delight in Weyburn
and traffic would pile up on Second Street with people stopping
to see his lights. His house was featured in the Weyburn Review
twice and won the Twinkle Tour award for Best Display many a
year. Although there have been no lights for a few years, with
Don no longer able to climb the tall ladders needed to set them
up, to this day, when people ask Barb where her father lived,
and she answers, they will say "Oh the house with the Christmas
lights! I remember them well." Don loved music, and played
the piano for relaxation and enjoyment. Fifteen years ago he
finally bought himself a present, a Hammond organ with triple
keyboards, and many special features. He would play for hours,
and the house was always filled with music. Another hobby was
reading and Don would read anything he could get his hands on.
Business was his favourite topic, with history and novels running
a close second. He subscribed to many a magazine, and kept up-to-date
in business and politics to the end. His mind was sharp as a
tack, even on his last day on earth. If ever a person needed
advice, he was the man to talk to. After their retirement travel
years, Don and Gertrude lived quietly in their home of 30 years
on 2nd Street N.E. Don went out for coffee or shopping almost
every day, to meet his friends or an acquaintance and chat, until
in 1999 his health became too poor to go out much anymore. Gertrude
passed away in November, 1997, and Don spent two lonely years
without his childhood sweetheart. Last week, he joined her, and
they will spend eternity together in Heaven. God bless them both.
Donations can be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building
Fund, the Canadian Heart Fund, or the Saskatchewan Lung Association.
Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd.,
Weyburn.
- Emil Peter Parnas
- Emil Peter Parnas passed away peacefully October 29, 1999
at Crocus Plains Villa, Weyburn, at the age of 83 years. Emil
was born February 14, 1916 at Oungre, and worked off the farm
at several occupations first and then farmed most of his life
on the family farm. Emil came through the 30's and knew hard
work and little pay. Emil made several of his own inventions
and was very good at mechanical work. Predeceased by his father
and mother, Edward and Gertrude Parnas; and by his first wife,
Maggie in 1983; and a sister, Gladys Anderson of Estevan. Emil
is survived by his loving wife, Lilly Parnas, married December
28, 1991; two sisters: Therese Binde of Fortuna, ND and Clara
Lineham of Vancouver, BC; several nieces and nephews and great
nieces and nephews; and by four step children: Ken (Joy) Grams,
Wilbur (Cecile) Grams, Don (Dot) Grams and Doris (Delbert) Flaten.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, November 2 at 2:00 p.m. from
Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, with Bill Corkum officiating
minister. Interment followed at Zion Community Cemetery, Oungre.
All those in attendance were considered to be honorary pallbearers.
The active pallbearers were: Dennis Melby, Jerry Fowler, Joe
Makelkie, Johnny Hansen, Don Zackrisson and Doug Benneweis. For
friends so wishing, donations may be made to the Oungre Memorial
Park, in his memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher
Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.
- Anne Donalda Jean Campbell
- On Monday, November 1, 1999, Anne Donalda Jean Campbell,
late of Beautiful Plains Villa in Yellow Grass, passed away at
the Weyburn General Hospital at the age of 75 years. Anne was
born January 25, 1924 at Yellow Grass, to Duncan and Nellie MacCallum.
Predeceased by her parents; her husband, Ron Campbell; one sister,
Helen; one brother, Jack; and by her companion, Ernie Altwasser.
Anne is survived by her daughter, Janice (Herb) Erwin of Victoria,
BC; three grandsons: Scott (Tina) Erwin of Toronto, ON; Corey
(Erin) Erwin of Victoria, BC; and Bryan Erwin (Erin) of Victoria,
BC; two great grandsons: Jacob and Spencer Erwin; as well as
special friends: Erika and Orval Altwasser of Yellow Grass. A
memorial service was held Thursday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. from
Peace Lutheran Church, Yellow Grass, with Pastor Carlton Larsen
officiating. All those in attendance were considered to be honorary
pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her
memory to the Peace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or the Saskatchewan
Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher
Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.
- Margaret Gilbert Treble
- Margaret Gilbert Treble, dearly beloved wife of Arnold Treble
passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 30, 1999 at fillmore
Health Centre. She was predeceased by her father and mother,
James and Jessie Eadie; her first husband, Horace Henderson;
sister and brother-in-law, Isobel and John Moyer; brother-in-law,
Ken Randall. She is survived by brother and sister-in-law Thomas
and Margaret Eadie of Goderich, ON; sister and brother-in-law
Janet and Bert Hobbs of Penticton, BC; and sister-in-law, Blanche
Randall of Indian Head; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Margaret was born June 5, 1915 at Arcola, SK. She attended school
in Arcola to grade 12 and then took a business course in Winnipeg.
She spent the summers at Fish Lake (Kenosee) at Arcola Bay and
learned to swim, fish and fillet fish at which she was an expert.
She liked to go berry picking, saskatoons, cranberries and choke
cherries, and was an outdoor girl. She took part in high school
sports and softball. Margaret grew up in a Scottish Presbyterian
family and took part in church activities. She was the secretary
for the War Finance Committee during WWII for the S.E. Saskatchewan
Weyburn area. On October 3, 1963, Margaret married Arnold Treble
at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Kitchener, ON. Fillmore
became their home base, as well as a trailer that they lived
in when travelling for Arnold's work on the road. Summers were
spent at the cottage at Crooked Lake and a few months during
the winter were spent on Maui for 22 years. Margaret enjoyed
golfing and curling, and was very good in both sports. She kept
a good diary for years and did cross stitch and petit point work.
She loved to entertain and was an excellent cook and housekeeper.
She was the provincial golf champion for 19 and over handicap,
and she played in the finals of the Southern Ladies Playdowns.
She was provincial president of the Saskatchewan Ladies Curling
Association from 1947 to 1948 and a charter member of Western
Canada Ladies Curling Association. Margaret was active in the
Weyburn Legion from 1941 to 1963 and was past president of the
Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She was a member of Knox Presbyterian
Church in Weyburn. A celebration of Margaret's life was held
at Grace United Church, Fillmore on Wednesday, November 3, 1999
at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Heather Lea and Rev. John Ferrier officiating.
Interment followed in Fillmore cemetery. Pallbearers were Gordon
Hulbert, Peter Andrews, Danny Knapp, Yvon Royer, Orley Treble
and Scottie Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in her
memory may be made to Knox Presbyterian Church, Weyburn, Grace
United Church, Fillmore, Palliative Care of Fillmore Health Centre,
or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements were entrusted to
Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.
- Herbert Van Oorschot
- Herbert Van Oorschot passed away suddenly on October 28,
1999. He was born October 11, 1903 in The Netherlands. He came
with his family to Canada in 1951 and lived in Weyburn for 22
years. He lived in Sidney, BC since 1973. Predeceased by his
wife, Mary, in 1981; son Dammis in 1948; daughter Jannie in 1970;
and son Willem (Bill) in 1997. Survived by his daughter, Adrie
and her husband Frank; his son Piet; and by his brother, Dammis,
who lives in Holland; and son-in-law Arie, also in Holland; five
grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Rest in peace, Dad.
The
Weyburn Review
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