Jessie Yungkurt

Jessie Jane Yungkurt

(nee Irving)

Peacefully at the Portage District General Hospital on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, Jessie Yungkurt of Langruth, Manitoba passed away at the age of 95 years

Left to cherish Jessie’s memory are her daughters Carole (Tom) Kubb and Donna (Terry) McLaughlin; three grandchildren Bob Kubb, Shauna (Glenn) Bjarnarson and Jim (Dawn-Lee) McLaughlin; four great grandchildren Trevor, Kayla (Lyle), Eric Bjarnarson and Hunter McLaughlin.

She was predeceased by her husband Thomas in 1991; sisters Bessie and Isabelle and brother Herb.

Funeral service will be held at the Langruth United Church on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 2:00 pm, officiated by Wendy Denbow.  Interment will be held in the Langruth Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Jessie’s memory to the Langruth United Church Box 232 Langruth, MB R0H 0N0 or a charity of one’s choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

A Glimpse into the Life of Jessie Yungkurt

Our mum was born in Minton Sask. on March 8th, 1920.  Her early home was in the Big Muddy area, attending Big Four School. In 1933 during the Dirty Thirties the family moved north to farm in Arran Sask. there mum attended Osin country school.  To complete her high school she moved to Estevan, living with her Aunt Anne and helping in her hair salon after school. She graduated in 1939 from Estevan Collegiate. Always waiting in the wings was her childhood sweet heart since she was 15, our dad Tom.  Mum went off to Winnipeg to hairdressing school and with the war coming on our dad joined in Regina and was soon stationed in Winnipeg.  In 1940 these two quietly slipped away to be married on Nov.2, 1940.  The city was not for these country kids and so in 1943 they moved to the Westbourne /Woodside area and soon they were in business. In 1945 their eldest Carole was born and in 1949 Donna arrived while living in the Palestine district.  Mum was the lady behind the man in business, construction was the name of the game and she was the bookkeeper, secretary and accountant.  On July 9th, 1952 the folks settled in Langruth, a home which our mum would occupy for a good 60 years .Mum loved belonging and in Langruth she had the opportunity to meet and make long lasting friends.

She joined the Langruth Women's Institute in 1952, receiving her life membership in 1963.  She held all executive offices and used her leadership skills. In 1982 she was elected president of the Central Region of W. I.  Her love of the Fall Fair saw her convening this great community event many years. She somehow found the time to take part and was many a time a grand trophy winner.  Baking, flowers and vegetables were carried to the hall.  Mum was a member of the Langruth United Church, a member of the Langruth Women's Assoc. and a charter member of the U.C.W. starting in 1962.  Enjoying the fellowship of young people mum was involved in the first CGIT group formed at the church and her forever Sunday School, those devoted students recognized her contribution and in 1978 she was honored for her dedication of 25 years of service.  When a minister was not available mum conducted the worship services at the church, bringing her own personal message from the gospels.  In 1992 after our Dads' passing she joined the Langruth Ladies Auxillary to the Legion and enjoyed helping with the local catering and helping with bingo in the community hall.  Being a member of the local Red Cross, she organized swimming lessons and arranged the transportation down to the lake. Red Cross also bundled clothes for disaster relief.  Mums' home and yard were her pride and joy. She loved raising a big vegetable garden and tended meticulously to her flowers. She loved making bouquets for the church, making arrangements for her friends and being that there was not a florist in town was often asked for flowers for decorating.  The last day of elementary school each year we got to take our teacher a corsage made with loving hands from her yellow rose and johnny jump ups.  Mums' love of baking was always enjoyed by anyone stopping in for a quick cup of tea or having a meal. She mastered many recipes which became favorites of certain people who did look forward to her specialties. Canning and freezing were always on the fall to do list.  Her family was very important to her; she loved spending time with her grandchildren, teaching them about the things of beauty in the world. She played ball, made their special foods, She took them on outings and sewed them outfits for their special events.  Along with dad they enjoyed displaying antiques in the Heritage Museum, driving their autos in parades throughout Manitoba. Dads' Diamond T- truck was used in the movie Silence of the North and our parents got to participate as extras. A week they would never forget.   Retirement brought a whole new world. Our parents traveled to the USA, the UK and Europe. After our dad's passing Mum went to Australia in 1992 to spend time with Donna who was teaching there. British Columbia was visited by mum each winter where she made many friends, traveling there until the age of 88. She enjoyed flying.  Mum was active in her community and drove her own car, kept her home and yard until fading health in 2010. Thanks to home care and loving friends she was able to stay in her home till 2012......she was determined to make the 60 years.  Third Crossing Manor became her home until her passing. We are grateful to the staff for their loving care and compassion.

For Mum:

Her memory is our keepsake, with which we shall never part.

God has her in his keeping, We have her in our hearts.

Rest Gently and Peacefully

Love, Carole, Donna and families