Elliott

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ELLIOTT: William John Charles "Charlie" Elliott passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, on Monday, March 8th 2021. Dad was born on February 12th, 1930 on the family farm in the Belses district southeast of Pipestone. Dad's grandparents Johnny and Esther Elliott lived in Pipestone (with his grandfather out to the farm almost daily) and William and Nancy Ledingham in Brandon. Family were a big part of Dad's life. With grandparents in Brandon, trips were made to the city and surrounding area including the summer fair, time for swimming at Lake Clementi and outings to Clear Lake. Sundays meant church at the Belses school, later years the Pipestone United Church and while in Brandon, Knox United. The 1930s were a difficult time. Grandma recalled attempts to keep the grasshoppers at bay, the constant dust, wind, and tumbling thistles. The 40s, despite the war rations, provided some easing of the hardship with rising grain prices. With hydro not yet available, Dad's parents erected a wind tower with single propeller which powered batteries in the basement. Caring for livestock, organizing horses and harness, driving equipment, pitching sheaves and hauling grain became part of Dad's life as he grew older. The first tractor arrived to the farm in 1942 and in 1948 a new Massey Harris was purchased. Dad remembers driving it all the way down the ramps from the Massey building in Brandon and to the family farm. Dad attended Belses school. He belonged to the Pipestone Boys and Girls Club, prior to the formation of the 4H organization. With a need to provide increasing support for the farm, Dad left school. With the loss of his father in 1950, Dad along with Grandma and his sister, Aunt Marian, continued to operate the family farm. Mum and Dad were married in 1958 with three sons and a daughter arriving in the years following. Farm life evolved with the times with various sources of income including milking cows for cream, farrowing pigs, raising cattle, putting up hay, various crops to plant and harvest. Dad had a great love for the land and the animals. What a peaceful sight to see him walk through his cattle herd or driving his truck checking pastures, often with a cherished farm pet by his side. The diary came out Sunday nights, recording the weeks farm, family, and community events. 1985 marked 100 years for the family farm. A cairn was erected and stands by the edge of the original home quarter. Community service was a significant part of Dad's life. He held positions with Manitoba Pool, led the local 4-H club, served on school, credit union, surface rights and cemetery boards and provided guidance on Pipestone United Church committees. Supporting local business was also the right thing to do. We all remember Dad not far from the farm in his working years but he managed to carve out family time for Sunday trips to Oak Lake to connect with the cousins, family and community picnics in the summer, curling and catching up on reading in the winter. The opportunity to attend a dance has left us with memories of Mum and Dad gliding across the dance floor like so many of their generation. In 1988 Mum and Dad shifted into semi retirement mode, building a house across the road from the farm. Travel began to be a more frequent part of their life including camping and trips in Canada, The United States and abroad. Dad continued to enjoy being actively involved in the farm and time at the Drop Inn Centre and church on Sundays. In 2010 Mum passed away and left a huge void in all our lives but especially Dad's. Solace was found in participating in his usual farm activities. The family continued to expand with the welcome addition of the grandchildren's spouses. Great grandchildren now make up the next generation providing new energy and excitement. Dad enjoyed family gatherings and precious 1:1 visits as our family grew. In 2017 Dad accepted a suite at the Reston Alstone Lodge and adjusted to town life and enjoyed fellowship with peers. In 2019 his body became too tired to live independently and he came to live with daughter, Sharon, in Brandon with trips out to the farm. He continued to tell his story to his home care staff, proudly announcing he was a farmer from the Pipestone area who had lost his wife Jean and had three sons with families and a daughter. Dad, what a legacy you have left, until we meet again. Dad was predeceased by his wife, Jean (nee: Boulton); parents, Hugh and Jean; sister, Marian (Cecil) Greig; in-laws, Edna and Ewen Pearn, Anne Boulton, Emily Boulton, Violet and Joe Sowtis, Mary and Beverly Milliken, Edwin and Merle Boulton, and Frank Boulton. He is survived by his four children: son, Glenn (Nancy); grandson, Justin (Rebecca); great-grandchildren, Emily, Jaxon, Cali, and Grace; granddaughters, Meghan (Sébastien), and Chantal; son, Ronald (Sharon); granddaughter, Alicia (John); great-granddaughter, Aspen; granddaughter, Sondra (Ryan) Marsh; son, Garth (Barb); grandsons, Ryan (Alexina), and Corey (Heather); daughter, Sharon; also numerous nieces and nephews. A private family funeral service took place at the Pipestone United Church on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Marianne Olfrey officiating. The interment followed at the Pipestone Cemetery. Redpath Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Charlie's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the family, community and healthcare team for the support throughout his final years and at the time of his passing. Donations may be directed to the Willow View Personal Care Home "Activities", Box 250, Reston, MB, R0M 1X0 or to a charity of your choice.
Publish Date: Mar 27, 2021

ELLIOTT: Mr. William John Charles "Charlie" Elliott passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Monday, March 8, 2021 at the age of 91 years. He was predeceased by his wife, Jean (nee: Boulton); parents, Hugh and Jean; sister, Marian (Cecil) Greig; in-laws, Edna and Ewen Pearn, Anne Boulton, Emily Boulton, Violet and Joe Sowtis, Mary and Beverly Milliken, Edwin and Merle Boulton, and Frank Boulton. Charlie is survived by his four children: son, Glenn (Nancy); grandson, Justin (Rebecca); great-grandchildren, Emily, Jaxon, Cali, and Grace; granddaughters, Meghan (Sébastien), and Chantal; son, Ronald (Sharon); granddaughter, Alicia (John) Elliott; great-granddaughter, Aspen; granddaughter, Sondra (Ryan) Marsh; son, Garth (Barb); grandsons, Ryan (Alexina), and Corey (Heather); daughter, Sharon; also numerous nieces and nephews. A private family funeral service will be held at a later date with interment at Pipestone Cemetery. Donations may be directed to the Willow View Personal Care Home "Activities", Box 250, Reston, MB, R0M 1X0 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements in care of Redpath Funeral Home, Melita, 522-3361.

To send condolences to the family, please visit: redpathfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 11, 2021, Mar 27, 2021