(GLADYS) VILFRIDUR AURORA LENCHUK (JOHNSON)

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(GLADYS) VILFRIDUR AURORA LENCHUK (nee JOHNSON) October 24, 1918 - September 21, 2012 At the Betel Home in Gimli, Gladys Lenchuk, aged 93 years, passed away. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.
Publish Date: Oct 13, 2012

(GLADYS) VILFRIDUR AURORA LENCHUK (nee JOHNSON) October 24, 1918 - September 21, 2012 At the Betel Home in Gimli, Gladys Lenchuk, aged 93 years, passed away. Gladys was predeceased by her parents Gudny Arason and Gudmunder S. Johnson of Glenboro; her loving husband Harry; sisters Hermina Johnson and Sigrun Johnson; brother Ben Johnson; sons-in-law Dave Purvis and Red Sturgess; granddaughter-in-law Carolyn Sturgess. She is survived by her children Linda Purvis, Kathy Sturgess, Lorna Welch (Larry), Heather Dankochik (Gregory), David Lenchuk (Pauline), Edward Lenchuk, Mark Lenchuk (Donna); her grandchildren David Purvis, Christopher Purvis (Kate), Kelly Sturgess, Leah Sturgess, Dan Sturgess (Sheila), Don Welch (Kristy), Wade Welch, Wellington Dankochik (Theresa), Michael Lenchuk and Calandra Lenchuk, and great-grandchildren Brandon Purvis, Mathew and Mason Sturgess, Scott and Jimmy Sturgess, Harris and Hunter Dankochik. Also survived by sisters-in-law, Cecelia Glowa (John), Helen Schwartz, Jona Johnson, numerous nieces and nephews, and by a very close friend, Gloria Goodman. Born in Glenboro, Manitoba, Vilfridur Aurora was a happy child, she was quickly nicknamed Gladys and it stuck. The youngest of four children she grew up on a farm outside of Glenboro. Her mother died when she was a young girl and she was very helpful on the farm. After completing school Gladys arrived in Gimli, and began working at the Betel Home in Gimli as a cook. That's where she met Harry Lenchuk and the romance blossomed. Harry and Gladys were married in Gimli in August of 1943. They raised their children in Gimli for several years and when the opportunity arose, Gladys and Harry moved out to the farm where they continued to raise their family. Never one to shirk from hard work there was always something to do, raising cows, pigs, chickens and geese, a big vegetable garden and raspberries to pick and sell. Gladys had a love of gardening and tried anything, asparagus, rhubarb, currants, apples, plums, pears, etc. She passed this love of growing things on to her children and to many others through the Minerva 4-H Club as a garden leader for several years. She had an interest in Mother Nature's creatures and encouraged that in her children. She loved to travel, near or far, and was always ready for a new adventure. She studied the Icelandic language as an adult and got a chance to live a dream of visiting Iceland where she was able to meet many relatives. At the age of 70, on a Mexican vacation with her son Mark and his wife Donna, Gladys proved that age is just a number when she went para-sailing. She was an experienced line dancer and kept dancing well into her 80s. She was a very insightful woman who cared for her family. She was loved and will be much missed. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli. The family would like to thank the staff at the Gimli Betel Home. Goda Nott Elskan. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Publish Date: Sep 25, 2012

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 13, 2012