Kelly Human

It is with heavy hearts that we announce on Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, after a very brief battle with cancer, Kelly Jane Human passed away at the age of 63.

She will be very lovingly remembered by her husband Terry Human, and her four children; Faron (Connie) Sproat, Landeyn Aymont, Kora-Lee (Eric) Thorsteinson, Dagan Aymont and her daughter-by-choice Kim Puddicombe; as well as her grandchildren, Dustin (Stacey Mucha) and Brooke (Ben Payment) Sproat, Sasha (Ande Upward) and Rachel (Austin Duncan) Thorsteinson, Britany Lepine, Seth Puddicombe, Telyna Lake and Kai & Layne Aymont; along with her cherished great-grandson Draven Cloud-Sproat and her favourite rescue pup Toby.
She will also be greatly missed by her sisters Joanne (Gerald) Mooney, Debra (Tom) Gibson, Kim (Terry) Drake and Karen Walsh, brother David (Linda) Sproat, sister-by-choice Lindy Knott, sisters-in-law Lorrean Kwiatkowski and Helen Mack-Sproat, brother-in-law Milton Tames;  many, many nieces and nephews as well as the members from her Blue Family. Kelly was predeceased by her parents Betty and WJ Laurence Sproat, her brothers Billy Sproat, Ronald and Michael Kwiatkowski, sisters Irma Pashe, Linda Tames, and Caroline Brauer as well as her nephews Tim, Deni, Rory and infant niece Dusty.

On February 20th, 1959, Kelly Kwiatkowski/Sproat was born and raised in Portage la Prairie. Being in the middle of 11 children, Kelly much enjoyed her life with a large family. She fondly remembered sharing bedrooms, toys and clothing with her sisters and brothers. And she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Family meant so much to her. Kelly herself became a mother at a very young age. And even though she wasn’t always able to visibly express how much she loved all four of her children, they all meant the world to her. Because Kelly was so young when she became a mother, she left school before completing, however returned as a mature student and got her GED and later went for special training to become a Correctional Officer. She spent many years at the Portage Correctional Institute, then in 2011 transferred to the new Women’s Correction Centre in Headingly. Kelly’s “Blue Family” was so important to her. She took her role as a Correctional Officer very seriously and the connection she made with many of the inmates and special training she received through the years helped prepare her for her post-retirement gig. After 25 years in Corrections, Kelly made the very difficult decision to retire and spend time with her family… This was very short-lived. Soon she found herself bored and took a term job working with the Portage Friendship Centre Insight-Mentor Program. This very quickly turned in to a permanent full-time job, which she loved. Kelly was so good with people. She knew how to listen, be compassionate & understanding and had this genuine way of helping people out. She could help one understand situations and share how they could find the resources needed. Kelly cared for her clients very much and often went above and beyond to help them in any way she could. It was very difficult for Kelly to leave her clients and work friends when she became ill. She often wondered how they were doing and wished well for them. Kelly had such a huge heart and would help anyone if she could. She made an impact on so many lives, yet she was so very humble and never viewed what she did as making an impact.

Kelly was a very social person, she loved being around her friends and family. When Kelly began dating Terry, she met many people in the local music industry and spent much time travelling around with Terry and their friends to different festivals and music events. She enjoyed singing and playing the guitar and even dabbled in song-writing, taking time to write a special song for each of her children. Kelly really enjoyed being creative. When her grandchildren were small, she loved making clothing and costumes for them. She also took to knitting and dabbled in drawing.

Kelly became a dedicated member of the local Metis Federation. Her Metis identity was very important to Kelly and getting her kids involved was just as important. Kelly took on many active roles in the Culture and Heritage Committee and helped put on such events as the annual Gala and the Kids in Concert. After getting her grandchildren involved in Metis dancing, her and Leigh Ann started the Metis Prairie Steppers. It was a very small group with no funding, no outfits, and no shoes. But after hard work and dedication to the kids and training, they were able to obtain funding and grants so the kids could continue doing what they loved and got outfits, shoes, and even special trainers. Kelly travelled to many places in the country with the dancers. Countless summer festivals, year-round practices, and a group of many stubborn children, Kelly would not have had it any other way. This group of young people was Kelly’s pride and joy.

Kelly also enjoyed playing Bingo and going to the casino with her friends. She also loved playing Rumoli with her sisters and brothers and eventually taught Kora-Lee, Landeyn, Kim, Eric, Sasha, and Ande how to play. The seven of them and her niece Little Deb began their regular “Rumoli nights,” which included a trophy, and Kelly being the longest standing champion.

Kelly was very much loved and is going to be missed by so many people.

Viewing will take place at McKenzie Portage Funeral Chapel on Monday, July 11, 2022 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.  The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at the William Glesby Centre at 1 pm. A family internment will take place at a later date.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Kelly’s memory to Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Box 34040 Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5 and/or Central Plains Cancer Care 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8.

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