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GLADYS LOUISE TUFTS
Date of Passing: Apr 03, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGLADYS LOUISE TUFTS
Gladys Louise Kempthorne was the fourth of five children, born on January 31, 1933 on S.E. Sec. 13-4-20 W. Morton: to Norman Rae Kempthorne and Lulu Mae Gouldie. She attended East Lynne School and completed High School in Boissevain. While growing up, she participated in the 4H Beef Club, farm chores, and school field days. She attended Brandon Business College in 1951, and carried those accounting and organizational skills with her for the rest of her life. Her cheque-book was always balanced and her memory for birthdays and family relationships was outstanding to the end.
She married Keith in 1952 and began a partnership with responsibility for the farm finances, and one that would last more than 72 years. The next few decades were spent managing a large garden, preserving the produce, and raising chickens and children, often while sewing, quilting, and knitting in between. Canned tomatoes were a favourite of Keith’s, her apple pies were second to none, and the ‘chicken’ cookie jar was often full. Baked treats filled her freezer, and crab-apple or raspberry jelly was always a staple, including last year’s harvest. She helped with combining, curled in the winter, served with the Fairfax Community Club and Minto Forresters, and in later years participated in the Boissevain Bowling League and United Church Thrift Store. She was also a spare bus driver for a number of years during the busy seasons. Her quiet disposition and strong work ethic served her well. Together, Gladys and Keith enjoyed trips with friends and relatives to various points in the USA and Canada. She was readily available for child-minding with grandchildren living on the farm; and maintained relationships with those in Alberta through letter-writing, telephone calls, and frequent visits throughout the years. Among Gladys and Keith’s favourite pastimes were country drives and lifelong dancing. They were members of the Boissevain Square Dance Club and participated in Traditional dancing throughout south-western Manitoba.
Gladys is lovingly remembered by her husband Keith, son Donald (Cheryl) of Boissevain, daughter Linda (Wally) of Airdrie, AB; grandchildren Erin Henderson of Portage la Prairie, Alanna Ford (Dustin Conrad) of Calgary, AB, Derek (Pam Kerkowich) of Minto, Brett (Getze Uscanga) of Chestermere AB, and Kelly Henry (Troy) of Coldstream BC; great grandchildren Dillon, Gavin, and Ethan Henderson, Carter Tufts, Amelie Uscanga Prokopchuk, Charlotte Henry, step great-granddaughter Dilynn Conrad; one sister-in-law, Jean Tufts; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; three brothers and a sister; nine brothers and sisters-in-law; and a lifetime of community members and friends.
A Memorial Service was held Friday, May 16, 2025 at the St. Paul’s United Church in Boissevain, Manitoba.
Donations in memory of Gladys may be made to the Boissevain Health Centre Palliative Care Fund; Box 899 Boissevain, MB R0K 0E0.
As published in Brandon Sun on May 17, 2025