GLORIA EVELYN MARJORIE LAVALLEE

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GLORIA EVELYN MARJORIE LAVALLEE

(nee JACOBSEN)

In the early morning of May 1, 2024, Mom passed away at the Lundar Care Home. She had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease for the past few years and finally succumbed to it, one day after her 92nd birthday. She is survived by her sons; Allan (Virginia), Brian, Warren (Karen) and Marcel; as well as grandsons, Tyson (Nichole), Rene (Tammy), Marc (Mandy), Curtis (Meghan), Travis (Samantha) and Kyle (Ashley); granddaughters, Bailey and Callie; as well as nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Haakon in 1940; daughter Myrna in 1956; mother Blenda in 1995; husband Louis in 2003; and son Keith in 2015.

Mom, an only child, was born on the farm in Lillesve, MB on April 30, 1932. Lillesve is located approximately 15 miles east of Lundar. In 1940 her father Haakon was killed in a construction accident in Portage la Prairie which left my grandmother to run the farm by herself. Fortunately, her parents and brothers lived on the quarter to the north, so help was available if an extra hand was required. Mom attended Morning Star School to grade 8 and then went to Inwood School for the higher grades. She enjoyed dances and often laughed about walking to Chatfield in order to attend one, and then walking back home in the early morning. She also enjoyed visiting with the neighbours, specifically Craves, Torgersons and Johnsons.

In 1952 she married Dad and started a family. Work on the farm was hard, however the quality of life greatly improved when hydro and telephone lines were installed in the 1950s. Also, road maintenance was improved, and they were no longer isolated for long periods in winter due to plugged roads. Wood stoves were replaced with electric heat and running water was added to the house. The country schools were closed down and kids were bussed to Lundar for school. Even with the improvements though, the cows still had to be milked every day, barns cleaned, cattle and chickens fed, haying and gardens tended to in the summer, food preserved, lawns cut, clothes laundered and sewn, as well as cook breakfast, dinner, supper and drive kids to hockey and baseball games. Any remaining time could be used for leisure.

In the early 1980s she started working at Lundar School as a cleaner and worked there until the late 1990s. The farm was sold in 1994 and a new house was built just south of Lundar on the east side of Hwy 6. Shortly after moving to Lundar she started to bake and sell donuts which she continued to do until approximately 2015 when she said that she didn’t trust herself not to leave the stove on by accident. By that time, she had sold many thousand dozens of donuts. A freezer full of donuts was located in the garage with a margarine container on the lid. If someone wanted donuts and no one was home they could take what they wanted and leave the money in the container. There was never a problem. You have to love small towns.

Gradually her health deteriorated and in March of 2020 it became necessary for her to be placed in a care facility. She spent about six months in Whitemouth until a space became available in Lundar PCH where she remained until passing. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff at Lundar PCH for their dedication and compassion in making Mom’s final years as comfortable as possible. We will be eternally grateful for your service.

A memorial service is planned for some time in early summer.

Arrangements by:

ARNASON FUNERAL HOME

Ashern - Lundar

1.204.768.2072

1.866.323.3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 04, 2024, May 04, 2024