Elmer HICKS

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HICKS: Peacefully on January 3, 2012, Elmer Lawrence Hicks, with family by his side, passed into eternal rest. Dad was born April 19, 1915 to Alfred & Sarah (Thomas) Hicks, an only child. He spent his childhood on the family farm and was schooled at Melgund. In 1941 Dad spent the winter at Moosomin working in the Fudge Snowplane Factory and in 1942 he took a course in Vancouver in Diesel Mechanics. In 1957 he got his private pilots license in Brandon, and soon thereafter bought a Funk airplane, one of only two in Canada. He sold this and built the Fly Baby, followed by the Tiger Moth. Dad married Dorothy Phillips in 1947 and they had two children, Shirley born in 1948, and Arnold in 1951. During the years before Mom passed away, they met many wonderful friends through the Manitoba flying Farmers. Dad could always be found tinkering away in his shop building something, whether it be snowplanes, snowblowers, garden tractors, or something for his kids. In 1982 Mom passed away leaving a void in Dad's life. He married Shirley Swerdfeger in 1985 and they had many wonderful years together travelling and spending many winters in Mesa, Arizona until Shirley's passing in 2000. After Shirley's death, Dad moved back to Hartney to Cameron Lodge and spent his time there until August 2011 when he moved to the Personal Care Home. Dad loved his planes and trains, but could also be found at the racetrack while camping during the summer months. Dad leaves to mourn his passing, his daughter Shirley (Harvey Loney) Lowe, and son Arnold (Brenda) Hicks, brothers-in-law Clare (Donna) Phillips, Jack (Pat) Phillips, sister in law Norma (Watson) Roper, grandchildren Leane (Cory) Frank, Lori (Graham) McKerrell, Matthew Hicks, and great-grandchildren Joel & Taylor Frank and Taryn McKerrell. He also leaves to mourn his stepdaughters Sherron Murphy (Chad & Dori & families) and Doris Vienneau (Dwayne & Donovan & families) all of Edmonton; step brother Jack (Edna) Couling, step sister Donna (Bill) Houck and families—and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Following a private burial in Lauder Cemetery, a memorial service was held in Lauder United Church on January 6, 2012 conducted by Rev. Margret Kristjansson. Thanks to the choir, organist Carol Thomas, and the ladies of the Lauder Community who provided lunch. Sincere thanks for the donations made in memory of Dad to the Canadian cancer society and the Lauder Cemetery Fund. The family would like to thank Dr. Cram and staff of the Souris Hospital for their exceptional and compassionate care. Also to our wonderful ambulance drivers who made Dad's transitions to the hospital and return so comfortable. To the staff of the Personal Care Home; we cannot thank you enough for your tender loving care. Kowalchuk's Funeral Home, thank you for making it so easy for us during our loss.Into the freedom of wind and sunshineWe let you goInto the dance of the stars and the planetsWe let you goInto the wind's breath and the hands of the star makerWe let you goWe love you, we miss you, we want you to be happyGo safely, go dancing, go flying home

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 14, 2012