Evelyn MERCKX-SOMERVILLE

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MERCKX-SOMERVILLE: Evelyn Hazel passed away on May 15, 2009 at the BRHC with many of her family at her side. The youngest of six children, she was born in Brandon on November 6, 1947 (Evelyn Hansen) and grew up on the family farm just west of Brandon and attended school at Roseland and Vincent Massey. Predeceased by her mother (Emma), father (Halvard), “Uncie” (Andor Hansen), first husband (Clarence), sister (Margaret), sister (Hilda) and nephew (Robert Johnstone). Ev leaves to grieve her second husband (Don Somerville), brother (Stan Hansen and Gerry of Souris), sister (Elnora (Peewee) Kardash and Peter of Calgary), brother (Gord Hansen and Brenda of Brandon), brother-in- law (John Delang of Winnipeg) and brother-in -law (Fred Ilett of Victoria, B.C.). Survived by and sadly missed forever by her three children (daughter Lisa Dawn Merckx- Deutcher and Brian of Brandon), son Dean Merckx and Sherri of Beresford, son Todd Merckx and Heather of Boissevain, and her three step children Dale Somerville and Lorrie of Maple Ridge, B.C., Dan Somerville and Kendra of Lethbridge, AB, and Lisa Jane Baker and Erik of Manley, Nebraska. Brian’s daughters Chandra and Ashley Deutcher along with Ev’s grandchildren Derek (Lisa Dawn and Brian), Charli (Dean and Sherri), Clair and Max (Todd and Heather), Lyric and Nolan (Lisa Jane and Erik) will always remember how much Ev loved them all and how she made all their lives a little bit better for having known her for a small part of their lives. All of her many nieces and nephews and all of their children will all be aware that Auntie Ev’s passing will leave an empty spot in their future that was always overfilled with love for them. Ev lived life to the fullest and often talked about remembering as a youngster the Saturday shopping trips to Brandon with the whole family for groceries, special restaurant treats and a visit with her dad’s brother “Uncie”. She married Clarence Merckx in 1967 and lived in Brandon on 30th Street and then they bought their house at 28 Magnacca Crescent, where she made many, many friends. Ev’s clerical work kept her busy but she loved to bowl and won many trophies in league play on girl’s teams and with Clarence. She always had time for coffee, shopping for shoes and makeup and of course attending as many dances as she could find. All three of her children were born in Brandon even though they were now farming at Boissevain. Ev and the kids spent many a happy summer day in the yard on the farm. Sons Todd and Dean now are farming her land and that made her very pleased and proud. Clarence passed tragically in 1980 and Ev went to Calgary to her sister Peewee’s for comfort and to get help to move on with her life. As part of her healing process Ev became the “Ann Landers” of Parents Without Partners in Brandon and it was at a PWP dance that she met Don Somerville, her second husband. After many more dances, dinners out and a successful blended family “trial run” holiday to Vancouver Island with four of the kids Ev and Don were married on November 25, 1983 and continued to live on Magnacca Crescent until Ev and Don built a custom, fully handicap accessible house at 123 Patterson Crescent where she lived until the end of 2008. She only added about 160 square feet to the original plans in spite of all her ideas that were implemented but she loved “her” home. As the Mom in the blended family of six kids Ev was always the best dry Mitt mom, motorcycle helmet holder, hockey mom, dry towel supplier, water ski spotter, fishing line un-tangler, always clean laundry expert and sub sandwich queen and everyone knew that her house was the gathering spot for all the kids friends. No one was ever able to match her roast beef gravy or matrimonial cake. Teenage hoodwinks, six against two, was just part of what Ev handled on a daily basis and never ever complained or got very mad for very long. When Lisa Dawn asked “where was the 7-11” on the first trip to Lake Lorne Ev just lit the bonfire and got out the hot dogs and initiated all the wonderful times she had with the children at the lake and it became her favourite getaway. She loved to take trips and she got to travel to Norway, PEI, Yosemite, Banff, Vancouver Island and Niagara falls as well as the many trips to Pete and Peewee’s in Calgary and Phoenix, Arizona where she especially enjoyed the pool and sitting on the deck under her favourite palm tree with spirits in hand. The yard and garden at home was always her little bit of heaven and if Don ever bought the wrong color or type of flowers she would jump in her little red Talon sports car and go to The Green Spot to get the right ones to plant all the while making sure she did not park where she would have to back up. Lefse making parties with all the kids and grandkids at home became one of Ev’s favourite occasions and they usually took place at least twice a year and they lasted all day. She made sure all the Merckx kids and spouses were there or else. She loved her Mall trips for coffee, lunch, meeting friends and shopping and when she was no longer driving she only slowed down long enough to buy Handi-transit tickets if it was too cold to ride her scooter over to the new corral mall. Evelyn was a true and special friend who will be missed by all who knew her. No matter what was going on in Ev’s life she always insisted “I’m Fine” and she never had a bad word to say about anyone she knew. Funeral service was held at St Augustine’s church on May 22, 2009. If so desired, donations to the MS society in Brandon will be much appreciated.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 30, 2009