Winnifred Eleanor (Bell) Vandusen

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Winnifred Eleanor (Bell) Vandusen

1937 - 2025

Winnifred Eleanor Vandusen, 88, passed away on December 31, 2025 at the Hartney Community Health Centre.

Eleanor was born in a house in Hartney, Manitoba on May 11,1937. She was the only child of Nick and Annie (Dodd) Bell. Eleanor was raised on a farm near Hartney. She received her education at the Hartney School. She worked hard from an early age, one of her first jobs was working at the Woodhull Drugstore in Hartney. She married Jim Gloor of Pipestone in 1957. They had two children, Nicholas and Lee Ann.

In 1968, Eleanor returned to Hartney from British Columbia to live and raise her two children. She went back to school to upgrade herself in order to enter the workforce. Upon completion of her course in Brandon, she found employment with the Bank of Montreal in Hartney, where she worked as a teller for many years. Looking for a new challenge, she left the Bank and worked as Hartney’s Town Secretary for several years until her early retirement.

On July 1, 1988 she married Jack Vandusen of Hartney. She loved him dearly. They were blessed to have been married for over 37 years! Throughout her life she enjoyed a variety of interests, some of which include gardening, birds (nature in general), sewing, golfing, reading, and painting classes. She was an accomplished knitter. Later on in life, she enrolled in quilting classes. She enjoyed these classes quite a bit and sewed beautiful quilts for her family members.

Eleanor was a member of the Rebekah Excelsior Lodge for over 50 years, a fact of which she was quite proud. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion #26 Hartney and a lifetime member of the Hartney Museum.

Eleanor was predeceased by her parents Nick and Annie Bell, mother-in-law Winnie Vandusen. She is survived by her loving husband Jack, son Nicholas (Kimberly) Gloor, granddaughter Sylvie (Collin) McKenzie, daughter Lee Ann Gloor, sister-in-law Norma Vandusen, friends who are family, Maggie, Henry and Barbara.

After a life of where a lot of the time each breath was a struggle, she is now at rest. Eleanor, Mom, Grammie, Friend, you will be missed.

As per Eleanor’s request, there will be no funeral. A family graveside service will be held at a later date. If you wish, donations may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Cram for his exceptional care over the years. We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the Staff of the Hartney Community Health Centre.

Tributes: www.kowalchuks.net

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 10, 2026