Lexie Buechler

Lexie Buechler was born and raised in the Edwin/Burnside District on December 6, 1918. Lexie passed away in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on February 4, 2021 at the age of 102.

Lexie was the youngest of 10 children. She lost her mom at the tender age of 4 months to the Spanish flu. Until the age of two she lived with relatives and friends. Her childhood home consisted of a wood house and was very small. Her family had a farm and her father was known for his horses. She met the love of her life Fernie Buechler at a barn dance and they married December 26, 1938. They stayed in the Edwin district where they made their home and farmed. Lexie enjoyed curling, was a member of the United Church Woman's group, and getting together with friends. She had many hobbies that she enjoyed such as knitting and reading. They had two children of their own, Lawrence and Patricia. They also cared for several foster children over the years. Tammy was a foster child that they later adopted and made their own.  In 1970, Lexie lost Fernie to cancer and sold the farm. She moved to Portage where she worked at Low Cost Drugs and later on in the laundry at the Manitoba School. A few years before she retired (age 67) she moved into the Oddfellow Towers in Portage la Prairie. She became the longest resident to live there.

Over the years she travelled with friends. They called them the Golden Girls. Roberta Chepil was a faithful friend until she passed in 2013. The ladies travelled to several different countries by air, rail and ship. They travelled from one coast of Canada to the other. Lexie was known for being an avid bowler and golfer in the 70's and 80's, and had the trophies to prove it. She volunteered at Lions Prairie Manor, Douglas Campbell Lodge and the Portage District General Hospital after she retired. She loved wheeling her cart to different rooms encouraging the patients. She was a founding member of Museum Ladies of Fort la Reine.

Years ago she lost her eye sight to AMD and found it difficult to do her favourite past time activities such as knitting her grandchildren afghans or reading fiction novels. In the winter of 2015 at the age of 96 she could no longer manage on her own and spent a few months in the Portage Hospital before moving to Lions Prairie Manor. She enjoyed remembering the “good old days” with friends and family especially Sandy Barber who visited. She settled in well but unfortunately went out for a walk with her walker one day,  fell, broke her right arm and had a stroke on left side. This was a difficult time but she rallied and had a great come back after not being able to manage her own care to completely able to manage her care in a wheelchair until a few days before she passed. Until the end she had all her faculties. Her greatest passion was people, and she would give advice even if you didn't want it. She was known for her tenacity and was determined to live her life to the fullest and do it her own way. She was known for her organization and was known for her saying everything has a place. I'm sure she learned this from her father living in a small house with 10 children.

Lexie was predeceased by her parents William and Margaret Jane Jack; nine siblings; husband Fernand Buechler; daughter Patricia “Pat” Wilcox; son Lawrence “Larry” Buechler and son-in-law Charles “Chuck” Wilcox.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Hazel “Tudy” (Lawrence) and their three children, Darcey (Dan Henry): Sheldon, Nicholas, Kelsie (Justin), Daryl: Travis (Lacee): Kambree, Kenyen, Willow, Tanner (Vanessa): Kasey and Kinsley, Jenna (Tanner Towle): Paisley, Leela, Logan, Shane (Jaimie): Nathan,  Devin (Chassidy): Gillian, Kahlie; daughter Patricia's five children Trevor, Robin (Joelle):Robin Jr, Jimmy, Tearin, Star, Heaven, Nich,  Trisha: Brayden, Abraham, Chloe, Tyler (Becca): Charlie, and Michelle (Jeff Gusdal): Magnus; daughter Tammy (Craig Graham) and their four children Samantha (Charles Plett): Ethan, Mackenzie, Chloe, Christopher, Lexie (Ben Aitken): Adarah, Ryker, Raiden, and Amanda Wolf and they just keep coming.

A celebration of Lexie’s life will be held at a later date with internment taking place at Hillside Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Lexie’s memory to CNIB Foundation, 1080 Portage Avenue Winnipeg MB R3G 3M3 or  Central Plains Cancer Services, 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