Garnet Love

Garnet Ross Love

Peacefully, with his wife Shirley at his side, Garnet Love passed away on Thursday, April 5, in the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 84 years.

Garnet will be lovingly remembered by his wife Shirley of 49 years, daughters Cheryl (Ken) Robinson of Oakland, Wendy Love (Anthonie Koop) of Winnipeg and Kimberley (Nathan) Gerrard of Portage; grandchildren Matthew and Jackson Koop and Cooper Gerrard; brother Jack Love of Portage and sister Dorothy Lowe of Edmonton. Garnet is also survived by sister-in-law Phyllis Love, brother-in-law George Tomalin, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Joan Solomon, sister-in-law Sonia Lewadniuk and brother-in-law Don Solomon as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was predeceased by his parents William and Betty Love, brother George Love, sister Anne Moody and brother-in-law Jim Moody, sister-in-law Margaret (Peggy) Love and brother-in-law Les Lowe of Edmonton. Also, mother and father-in-law John and Victoria Solomon, sister-in-law June Tomalin, brother-in-law Ed and sister-in-law Gwen Solomon, and brother-in-law Mike Lewadniuk.

Born August 17, 1927 at Portage General Hospital, Garnet's life was defined by a love for his family and for the land he farmed.

A lifelong resident of Oakland District, Garnet attended the Oakland School before farming alongside his father. He purchased his own farm a�" the "Wiederhold Place" a�" in 1961 and then, 16 years later, moved his young family into a new home on his grandfather's farm. That farm became a Century Farm in February 2011.

Garnet first met Shirley while curling at Oakland in 1960. They were married in 1963 and went on to have three daughters. Garnet was a proud father who supported and encouraged his girls interests in curling, figure skating and softball. He also conveyed the value of education and ensured his daughters all had the opportunity to pursue their education after public school.

Garnet was a born inventor who could take what looked to be a pile of scrap and create a working machine. He designed and built a snowmobile, bin augers and a lawn tractor. He was even featured on the Prairie Farm Report television series with a multi-use power unit he had built from an old combine that could blow snow, spray crops, run his grain auger or even act as a fork lift.

Garnet taught himself the skills he needed to do carpentry, electrical, plumbing or mechanical work. Vital skills for a farmer that he also used to design and build his family home and contributed to the construction of the Oakland Curling and Skating Rink.

He was also an avid curler belonging to the Burnside Curling Club, Portage Masters Curling Club and Oakland Curling Club. In his younger years, Garnet played for the Oakland Oaks baseball team. He also enjoyed bowling, golf and hunting.

Visitation will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Tuesday evening, April 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. A service to celebrate Garnet's life will be held at McKenzie United Church, Wednesday, April 11, at 2 p.m. led by Rev. Marg Scott. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Garnet's memory to McKenzie United Church Memorial Fund, 85-11th St, NW, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 2S2 and Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Sask. Ave. East, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N OK8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com