Kris KING

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KING: In a calm quiet way, that was Kris, he peacefully left his earthly life just before coffee time on May 17, 2019 with his beloved children, Mark and Cortney close by. Kris was born in Souris Hospital on September 5, 1953 and lived his early years in the Elgin area with his Mum and Dad, Jack and Evelyn King. Sister Dorothy and brother Clark completed this happy family. Shortly after Clark’s birth they moved to the King family home north of Fairfax. Kris attended Elgin Elementary School and Hartney Collegiate where he completed his Grade 12. Family was so important to Kris’s parents especially his mum and every opportunity that arose was spent with aunts, uncles and cousins. Celebrations with the Moores, Kings, Hammonds, Juckes, Maines and often Maguires, Mealys and other friends were enjoyed with lots of delicious food, refreshments and fun. Kris had a love for the land from an early age, mowing grass and working with his Dad on the farm. He spent a lot of time with his cousins, Jim and Allan, the neighbors including the Fortins, Louditts, Howes, Clarks and McCulloughs doing all the fun things boys do. After high school Kris worked in various elevators in southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan before moving to Crystal City in 1973 to work with Walter Penner at the elevator here. He was a quick study and became manager when Walter retired and he spent the rest of his life in Crystal City. Having gone to school with Pam Robbins, they had many friends in common and as their siblings hoped they became best friends and were married July 20, 1974 in Elgin after Pam had graduated from her nurses training in Winnipeg. Kris and Pam moved into a new house built by the company and made a home in Crystal City. Mark was born on November 13, 1979 and Cortney July 5, 1982. Their family was complete. Kris was forever thankful for the many friendships that grew through the grain business, the curling club, minor sports organizations, service clubs like the Legion and Lions Club, the Community Benevolent Association, his hail business, golfing and through socializing in the community. When the kids were young we camped each summer at Cavers Grove on Rock Lake where many lifelong friendships were created. Our happy place for many years was our trailer at Strathcona Park on Pelican Lake where again we were so fortunate to meet so many new friends. In 2003 we purchased our home away from home at Pleasant Valley. This became our new happy place and again we were blessed with good times and new friends that were cherished by Kris and I. Kris loved golfing and living at PV was perfect. Golf every morning, settle up in the afternoon followed by happy hour. He never tired of this routine, always filled with lots of chatter, laughing and good hearted ribbing. Having always enjoyed participating all sports and watching sports, it was only natural that after local hockey waned the Wheat Kings became a favorite winter sporting team. Having season tickets for many years we never tire of our outings to the Wheaties with the Melvin’s, going out for supper and then to the game and often family and friends joined us. Being true Wheatie Groupies we followed the Wheaties on their American and West Coast trips and met many fellow hockey lovers. Visiting family and friends on these trips was a bonus. Kris’s love of farming led him to work for Gary Moore for a number of years. Working with Gary was always a highlight for Kris every spring and fall. He so enjoyed his time with Gary giving him new energy and happiness. After his retirement from the elevator Kris worked for Manitoba Crop Insurance. He enjoyed travelling around southern Manitoba meeting farmers and checking crops and bins. He made many new friends through his work with MASC. Kris had a quiet demeanor and a ready smile which endeared him to many. A man of few words, he found great pleasure meeting the coffee crew at the elevator and taking in the latest news. He dearly loved his children and only wanted for them to be happy and be able to experience a good life as he had. His greatest pleasure in life was the arrival of each of the grandchildren, Reece, Max, Kelsey, Sydney and Lindsey. He loved the time he spent with them and even though he wasn’t able to get out and run with them, he made sure they had the latest gadgets to play with, he loved watching them play on their sports teams and making them his specialties, breakfast and cookies. Kris will be sadly missed by his immediate family and his sister Dorothy (Rick Pettinger) and their boys, Clark (Denise) and their boys, as well as his mother-in-law Margie Robbins, Pam’s siblings, Kathy (Cyril Druwe) Gord, Rick (Colleen) Gary (Pam) and their children. Kris was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in the spring of 2018 and being the private person he was, he didn’t want a lot of people to know which made his death a shock but he didn’t want anyone fussing over him. As his health failed he relented a bit on no one knowing. He truly appreciated the visitors he had and loved to hear what was happening in town. He always had found visits to ill friends difficult so he certainly understood why some friends couldn’t come to see him. Kris fought his illness courageously never complaining and lived his last year doing what he wanted. He had many health issues that he coped with privately and without resentment. His cherished children and grandchildren always brightened his days and he was so grateful to have them spend time at home with him in the last weeks of his life. A service of Celebration of Kris’s life was held Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the RLPCC in Crystal City with the reception and lunch in the Community Hall. Kris is gone from our earthly life but will never be forgotten. He left us with so many memories that will live on in our hearts and minds forever.Messages of condolence may be made online at www.wheatlandfs.comWheatland Funeral Service 204-825-2848

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 22, 2019