Susan McLaughlin

Susan McLaughlin

(nee Rempel)

Susan (Rempel) McLaughlin, beloved wife of the late Wilfred McLaughlin, passed away peacefully at Lions Prairie Manor on December 4, 2017 at the age of 95, surrounded by members of her devoted family.
Loving mother to Sharon (Robert) Kunzelman, Robert McLaughlin, Carol McLaughlin (Dan Diamond), Kathryn McLaughlin (Larry Harder), Hugh (Valdine) McLaughlin, Janice McLaughlin (John Caister) & son-in-law Bernie Wright. Predeceased by her youngest daughter Alison McLaughlin Wright. Loving grandmother to Kelly, Sandra, Shannon, Sherrilyn, Sara, Chris, Melanie, Vince, Joshua, Alistair, Jennifer and Great-Grandmother to Nicole, Michelle, Cayden, Aly. Pre-deceased by grandson-in-law Brian Pottinger.

Susan was also pre-deceased by brothers Henry, John, Jake, Gerry, Wally & Ben Rempel, and sisters Helen Van Kampen & Herta Stow, Brother-in-law Lawrence McLaughlin, sisters-in-law Merle Erickson & Esther Rempel.  She will be lovingly remembered by sisters-in-law Muriel Rempel, Margaret Rempel, Teena Rempel, Irene Rempel, Dorene Paxman & Mabel McLaughlin, brothers-in-law John Van Kampen & Arthur Stow & many nieces & nephews.

Susan was born Jan 6, 1922 in a Mennonite village, Ekaterinoslav, Russia, to Katharina (Sawatzky) & Heinrich B Rempel. They immigrated to Canada in 1924 and settled in Blumenort, near Gretna. Susan grew up the oldest of 9 children and with the responsibilities of helping her parents, she had to work very hard to get her education and achieved it mostly through correspondence.  After graduation, she attended “Normal School” in Winnipeg to get her Teachers Certificate and taught first in Snowflake, then Stuartville before moving to Ivanhoe School, near Plumas, where she taught grades 1-8. While there, she met the love of her life, Wilfred McLaughlin whose family farmed near Plumas. They were married in July, 1946. They farmed and raised their children near Plumas until 1969 when, due to Wilfred’s failing health, they moved to Portage La Prairie. They enjoyed living and working in the community of Portage la Prairie. Susan started substitute teaching and then joined Red River Community College teaching staff. Sadly, Wilfred passed away in 1973. Susan continued to teach at Red River College in Winnipeg and then became the Manager of Red River College in Portage. She especially enjoyed teaching English to new immigrants.

Susan loved to travel, and destinations included Europe, Asia & Australia as well as all across Canada. She was an active member of the United Church, and served on the Board of Directors for the Herman Prior Senior Centre, the I.O.O.F. Towers, and the Portage & District Arts Centre.

In later years, in addition to living for and through her grandchildren, she really appreciated time spent with family at the cottage on Lake Manitoba.

Susan will be ever remembered for her gentle nature, her adventuresome spirit, her enduring faith, her sense of humour and her love & respect for all.

Thanks to the staff at Lion’s Prairie Manor for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 1W7,  Plumas United Church, Box 67, Plumas MB, R0J 1P0, or to the  Lions Prairie Manor Foundation Inc., 24 - 9th Street NE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3V4.

Funeral Service will be held at Trinity United Church on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Beth Kerr officiating. Private family interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens prior to the service.

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