Lavina GUSDAL

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GUSDAL: Lavina (Hodges) Gusdal, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2019 at Brandon Hospital at the age of 96. Lavina was born on January 29, 1923 at Onanole, Manitoba. She was the first born to Florence (Morrison) Hodges-Lawrie (Strathclair) and Charles Hodges (England) who were pioneers in the Onanole district. She was raised in Onanole and Strathclair. Lavina completed her education in Winnipeg where she also worked before moving to Toronto to work in a munitions factory during the war. She returned to marry her sweetheart Orville Gusdal of Erickson where they lived on their farm for 12 years. Subsequently, they lived in Virden, Winnipeg, Dauphin and The Pas before relocating to Brandon in 1961. Lavina was devoted to her family and her role as a homemaker. She liked nothing more than to be with family and friends visiting... and feeding them! She enjoyed baking, gardening, flowers, travelling, bible study and dancing with her sweetheart. During her later years Lavina developed her artistic skills and has left us with many beautiful oil paintings. She had been an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church (Erickson area) and Redeemer Lutheran Church (Brandon). She had also been a dedicated volunteer worker for various organizations for many years. She and Orville travelled extensively in Canada and the US as well as travels to England, Norway, Sweden, Caribbean, Mexico, South America. They spent 20 winters as Snowbirds (Florida, Arizona, California and primarily Weslaco, Texas). Lavina was a gentle soul. She was a loving, caring, selfless person, a woman of integrity, with a strong faith and moral compass. During the last many years of her life her strong character and faith helped her endure the daily challenges of living with Alzheimer’s Disease with dignity and grace. Lavina was predeceased by her husband Orville, brothers Clifford Hodges and Leslie Lawrie, brothers-in-law Bob Chegwin, Danny Danis, Melvin Wetteland, Conrad Halvarson, Pat Doan, sisters-in-law Ruth Hodges, Ruth (Gusdal) Doan, Margaret (Gusdal) Halvarson, nephews Jerry Chegwin, Todd Doan, niece Myrna Plaggenborg and great nephew Robert Tolleffson. Left to cherish her memory are her children Bryan, Sharyn and Curtis, sisters Beatrice Wetteland, Doreen Chegwin, Shirley Danis, Laureen Kelly (Keith), brother Allan Lawrie (Marlene), sister-in law Carol Lawrie and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Funeral service will be held May 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church (north of Erickson on #10 Hwy, 1 1/2 miles north of junction #45 Hwy) with interment following. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to your local Alzheimer’s Society; Bethel Lutheran Society, Box 414, Erickson, MB, R0J 0P0; Redeemer Lutheran Church, 114 Ashgrove Blvd., Brandon, MB, R7B 1E1 or charity of your choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 04, 2019