ROSE MARIE PAGARD

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ROSE MARIE PAGARD (nee WIRGAU) It is with great sadness we announce that, after a brief illness, Rose passed peacefully on December 3, 2015 at the age of 87 with her family at her side at Betel Home in Gimli. She is survived by her husband Elmer, daughters Gail (Karl) and Ferne (Chuck), and by her grandchildren Kelvin (Carlene), Gillian (Reg) and Victoria. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Katarina, and her sisters Helen, Mary, Barbara and Elizabeth. Rose was born in Woodridge, Manitoba on March 4, 1928, the youngest of four sisters. Her family eventually moved to Narcisse where they farmed for many years. As a young adult, she moved to Winnipeg to work and eventually travelled to Niagara on the Lake in Ontario to work in a canning factory for a brief period of time. She returned to Manitoba and met the love of her life, Elmer. They were married on October 6, 1956 and spent 59 wonderful years together. Shortly after getting married, they started farming in Narcisse and drove the school bus for many years. They lived there until their retirement in the early 1990's when they moved to Teulon. Last year, they moved together into Betel Home in Gimli where they were inseparable. Rose loved animals of all kinds but horses were her passion. She was such an accomplished rider and spent many happy hours in the saddle. She taught both her daughters to ride and they accompanied her on many cattle hunts. She loved to garden and grew a variety of flowers but her rose bushes always seemed to thrive just a bit more. She was a member of the Narcisse WI for many years right up until her move to Betel and was active in the community, whether it be canvassing for the various charities close to her heart, visiting friends in the hospital or driving them to appointments. Rose was a kind, sweet and gentle soul who had a smile for everyone. She was a loyal and caring friend, a loving and devoted wife, and the best mother a daughter could ever hope for. She was always positive and never complained, even through her final days when her body was failing and she was filled with pain. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her. We would like to thank Drs. Patel and Roma and the staff at Gimli Hospital for their compassionate care while Rose was in the hospital. We also want to thank the staff at Hunter Memorial Hospital and Dr. Loudon who took such good care of Rose while she was in Teulon. Finally, to all the staff at Betel who treated Rose with such gentle love and compassion and were such a source of support to her, we are eternally grateful. A celebration of Rose's life will be held on Monday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gimli Lutheran Church. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rose's honour to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, to D'Arcy's Animal Rescue Centre or to a charity of one's choice. Our hearts are breaking, we miss you so much but are comforted knowing you will always be with us. Happy trails Mom. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 07, 2015