FLORENCE ROSE SIERENS

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FLORENCE ROSE SIERENS (nee PILLA) With heavy hearts and immense sadness we announce the passing of Florence Rose Sierens of Swan Lake, Manitoba. Our dear Florence passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at the Lorne Memorial Hospital in Swan Lake, MB at the age of 83 years. Left to mourn Florence's passing are her beloved children Rick (Ramona) of Somerset, Pat (Armand) Van Woensel of Swan Lake, Dan (Sue) of Swan Lake, Jim (Treena) of Swan Lake, Kathy (Marc) Labossiere of Winnipeg, Andy (Michelle) of Whitecourt, AB, Colleen (Mike) Berard of Notre Dame, and Tracey (Emile) Desrochers of Ile des Chenes, 21 grandchildren, Mandy Brooking (Van Woensel), Vanessa Jamault (Sierens), Amy Perreault (Van Woensel), Neal Van Woensel, Ashley Dunn (Sierens), Steven Sierens, Tiffany Fath (Sierens), Lindsay Arthur (Sierens), Jason Sierens, Mario Labossiere, Paul Sierens, Derek Sierens, Jenna Labossiere, Jolyn Berard, Justin Berard, Cole Sierens, Breanne Desrochers, Jordyn Sierens, Natalie Desrochers, Martin Desrochers, and Jessica Berard, and 18 great-grandchildren. Also left to mourn Florence's passing are sister-in-law Marg Pilla and brothers-in-law Slim De Wit and Al Brandt, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Florence was predeceased by her beloved husband Lorne Sierens, her parents Frank and Mary, her stepmother Lil, her brother Art Pilla, sisters Frances Lenz and Marge De Wit, brothers-in-law Al Lenz, Marcel Sierens, Robert Rigaux, and sisters-in-law Denise Brandt, Alma Rigaux, and Celestine Sierens. Mom was born in Flin Flon, MB on April 7, 1932. As a young girl, her family moved to Baldur, MB. That is where she met the love of her life, Dad. They were married in 1950 and began life in the Oakhill District on the home farm north of Swan Lake, MB. There she and Dad raised eight children. Mom's greatest joy was her family and the most important thing to her was having her family together - the more the merrier. She always looked forward to family visits and when someone had to leave she would always say "are you going already"? It didn't matter if you had been there for 10 minutes or four hours. She had a close connection with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Showing her love by knitting countless blankets, mitts, scarves, slippers, socks and doll clothes you name it she would tackle it. Every time the grandkids would leave they would sneak away with a loaf or two of bread and a jar of homemade dill pickles, and if we were lucky, she would send some home with us too. She took pride in her garden and yard spending numerous hours weeding, planting, picking and pruning. She was very devoted to Dad caring for him for many years after he suffered a stroke. She was a wonderful caregiver not only to Dad but also to the entire family. She instilled a great work ethic in all her children. There was time for work but, there was also time for play. Mom and Dad loved travelling, they would pack up the car, the camper and all the kids. It was work getting to our destinations yet, we all reaped the rewards of the many trips out west, camping and taking in all the sights. Some of our destinations included The Black Hills, Lake Louise, Victoria, BC, Phoenix, AZ, Spruce Woods and many weekends at Lake 7. They also enjoyed vacationing with friends making their way down south to get away from the cold winters. These occasions were often spoke of by Mom and Dad and were very precious to both of them. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Mom's memory to The Lorne Memorial Health Foundation (Palliative Care Designation), P.O. Box 40, Swan Lake, Manitoba, R0G 2S0, The Manitoba Lung Association, or to a charity of one's choice. Funeral services will be held in the St. Gerard Parish, Bruxelles, MB, on Friday, July 24, 2015. Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m. followed by Mass of the Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. with Father Armand Le Gal as celebrant. Private family interment will be held in the St. Martin of Tours Parish Cemetery, Swan Lake, MB. Adam's Funeral Home of Notre Dame, MB in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 22, 2015