H. VERN PRUDEN

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H. VERN PRUDEN Peacefully, on August 2, 2008 while holding hands with his wife of 62 years, Vern Pruden passed away after a blessedly brief battle with cancer. Vern is survived by his wife Lillian (nee Norenberg), his son Bob (Theresa) and their children Jana Pruden (Evan) and Erinn and Brad Harvey and his daughter Connie Gray (Ron) and their children Tarra and Chelsea. Vern is also survived by his siblings Jack, Ken, Ralph, George, Connie Wright and June Selinger and predeceased by Myrtle Woolard and Lloyd. Vern was born in Winnipeg on February 1, 1922 to Conrad and Mabel Pruden (nee Hawes) and lived here all his life. During the Second World War, he served for five years in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Britain and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). When Vern left to serve overseas, he was just 17 and the second eldest of nine children. While in Sri Lanka, his mother died and as frequently happened in those days, his brothers and sisters were scattered to live with friends and relatives. It had a profound impact on him and he always placed the highest value on family. In 1946, he met the love of his life at Winnipeg Beach. As he often said, he was smart enough to ask Lil to marry him and lucky enough that she said yes . Vern had a successful 38 year career with the City of Winnipeg Hydro retiring in 1984 as the Superintendent, Overhead Construction. Vern and Lil had a happy retirement watching their grandchildren grow up, spending time at the cottage he built near Gimli and traveling. In 1990, he fulfilled a dream by re-visiting his war postings in London, India and Sri Lanka with his son Bob. Vern was a Past Master of Three Pillars Masonic Lodge #169. He was a drummer with the Fife and Drum Unit of Khartum Temple marching in the Shrine Circus and the Islendingadagurinn parade in Gimli for 30 years. Vern was a man with a tremendous sense of humor and a love of life who brought joy to those around him. He loved all music especially the 1940's and lived his life by the lyrics in Al Jolson's song he loved to sing "... live, love, laugh and be happy!" A memorial service will be held at Masonic Memorial Temple, 420 Corydon Avenue at Confusion Corner at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2008. Flowers gratefully declined. If you wish, a contribution in Vern's memory may be made to the Khartum Shrine Patient Transportation Fund, 1155 Wilkes Avenue, R3P 1B9. Thank you Krista and Lisa and the wonderful staff and residents at Lindenwood Terrace for their many kindnesses. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 07, 2008