Grace "Winkie" Hanneson

Grace "Winkie" Ellen Hanneson (nee Websdale)

Peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, Grace Hanneson (nee Websdale) passed away at her home in Portage la Prairie, MB on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the age of 92 years.

She leaves to mourn 5 children, Bill, of Lakeland,  Gail (Chris Judd) of  London, Ont,  David (Lori), of High River, AB,  Lindsay (Thelma) of Lakeland, Denise ( Chuck Lortie) of Edmonton,  and their families including 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, as well as her sister Edna (Jim Bell) of Etobicoke, Ont, and their family.

Grace is predeceased by her loving husband Oscar, parents William and Grace Websdale, in-laws Oli and Magnusina Hanneson, sister Bessie, sister in law Beatrice, nephew Jeffrey Bell, and daughter in law, Phyllis.

Grace  ( Winkie, as she was known to most who knew her) was born 5  February 1925 and raised in Plumas Manitoba.   She was the eldest of three daughters,  survived by her sister Edna, and predeceased by her sister Bessie who died in childhood.  After school, she lived in Gladstone while working at the bank.   In those days, one of her pastimes was going to country dances.  It was while attending one of those dances that she met Oscar, who was the saxophone player in the band – the Langruth Serenaders- and the love of her life.

They married in 1946, settled in Lakeland, where they built a home, farmed and over the years raised five children.

Mom loved her life on the farm, and was a wonderful loving wife and mother, caring for her family and friends alike.  Her door was always open to company and she had the ability to have a meal at the ready at a moment’s notice.   She was a wonderful cook and there was always a corner in the kitchen with a stash of goodies.

Like a true farmer’s wife, she loved to grow things in her garden.   On the farm, she always had a huge garden, picked berries and canned fruit. When she and Dad moved to Portage in 2002, they also had a big garden and grew everything in it.   Again, upon moving to the apartment, Mum still had a garden out back, and was very proud of her potatoes, tomatoes, onions were especially good, and everything else she could squeeze into it.

Mom was active in the community wherever she was – whether in church, history committees, Royal Purple and later, Eastern Star, where she could be found as the 90+ year old driver picking up members much younger than her.   Her faith was important to her and she enjoyed participating in the life of the church, including working at the thrift shop at St Mary’s and making perogies at another.

But most important to Mum were her family and friends.  She was always there to encourage and help her children, grandchildren, and her great grandchildren.  She was  eager to hear about their accomplishments and their plans for the future.    Education was very important to both our parents, and they made sure all their children went to university by providing support, love and of course, food from the freezer.  She was not only a devoted mother but a trusted friend and confidant,  teaching by example and always with a touch of class.

She was the centre of the family and if we needed to find out what was going on with a sibling, she would know since she was always in touch.

Although we will miss her tremendously, we can be comforted in that she had good health until very recently, could travel extensively throughout her life, had a full and happy life with a loving husband and family around her.   She was a shining example of perseverance to us all, and witty and loving to the end.

Visitation will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 7:00p.m., Monday, March 13, 2017. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s la Prairie Anglican Church, Portage la Prairie, MB, with Rev. John Doloff officiating.  Interment will take place in Lakeland Cemetery following the service at 2:00 p.m.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to St Mary’s la Prairie Anglican Church, 36 2 St SW, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2A1, or to the Lakeland Cemetery, Box 45 Langruth, MB R0H 0N0.

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

204-857-4021

www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com