Jim PROVEN

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PROVEN: With the sun in his face and sitting in his favourite chair, Jim Proven passed away at home on May 19, 2010. James Frederick Proven was born February 9th, 1924 in the home on the family farm northwest of Basswood, Manitoba. Dad was the fifth of six children born to Hazel and Frederick Proven. At two years of age Dad’s father died, leaving Hazel to raise six children, and run the farm. The family was raised during the height of the depression, and Dad had many stories of the difficult times they endured. In spite of the hard times the family were tightly bonded and remained close throughout their lives. Dad joined the RCAF before he finished high school, and served with the 408 Bomber Squadron overseas for his full 30 missions. He was very proud that his entire crew survived, and that they remained friends for many years. It was in England, that Dad married Dorothy Lily Bennett. At the end of Dad’s service, they returned to live in Minnedosa where Dad finished high school Son, Keith was born in Minnedosa in 1945, and daughter Karen was born in 1949, in Barrie Ontario, after Dad had rejoined the RCAF and been posted there. After retiring from the Air Force, Dad began his “nomadic years” as he referred to them; finally settling in Calgary for 10 years. In 1962 the lure of the family farm brought the family back to the Basswood area. Dad worked at both farming, and construction before joining the RRSD as first assistant secretary- treasurer, and then becoming secretary treasurer a few years later. Dad’s retirement from the RRSD allowed him to help on the farm and for himself and Dorothy to take their RV on many trips across Canada, and the U.S. After Dorothy’s passing, Dad began to split time between Minnedosa, and Victoria, B.C.; eventually relocating there full time. He enjoyed living in Victoria until his health began to fail, and he moved back to Minnedosa. Dad enjoyed a full and complete life, and died with a sense of peace and fulfillment. He was predeceased by Father, Fred; Mother, Hazel; brothers, Elmer and Stan; and sisters, Margaret and Helen. His sadness was profound with the death of wife Dorothy, and daughter Karen. He is survived by son Keith (Bonnie); brother Harold (Isabella); grandchildren, Mike (Leila), Morgan (Lindsey), Rachel (Taryn), and Breanne (Tom); daughters in law Susan and Heather; son in law Gary; and with enormous pride, great grandchildren, Brennan and Alexa. A memorial service will be held at the farm June 19 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Minnedosa Library.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 12, 2010