Peacefully on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the Portage & District General Hospital, Andrew Bergsma entered the presence of God at the age of 86 years.

Viewing will be at Fifth Avenue Gospel Hall 502 Fifth Avenue N.W., Portage la on Monday, May 20, 2013 from 7 – 9 p.m.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Myers, Norris Penny Exhibition Building with a reception to follow.

On Sunday, May 12, 2013 at the MacGregor Health Centre, MacGregor, MB. Roy Hodge, widow of the late Gwen Hodge, passed away at the age of 90 years.

 Roy was born in the R. M. of North Norfolk. Son of the late John and Amy Hodge.  He received his education at he MacGrgor School and as a very young person began a life long love of farming.

 In 1947 he married the former Gwen Ormiston and together they farmed until Gwen’s passing in 2006.  Roy continued on the family farm until his health failed and he moved to the MacGregor Care Home in 2009 where he has since resided.

 Roy was a popular school bus driver from 1952 until 1990, first as a private contractor and eventually for the Pine Creek School Division.  He and his big yellow bus were a favorite with the students.

 He enjoyed square dancing, and old time barn dances  as well as card games.  Fishing was his all time favourite pastime and whether catching or eating fish he enjoyed every minute.

 Predeceased by his parents, his wife Gwen, one grandson Alexander Terrance Hodge in 2003, one brother-in-law Bill Hay, 3 sisters-in-law, Agnes Hodge, Roberta Hodge and Ida Hay, Roy is survived by one son, Terry (Yvette) and their daughter Tiffany of MacGregor, one daughter Darlene (Carl) Giesbrecht and their children Kevin, Curtis and Kimberley (Ian) of Minetonas, MB, 2 brothers, Jim (Louise)and Oliver and one niece and one nephew.

 A grave side funeral service will be held on Friday, May 17,2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Beaver Creek Cemetery.

 If friends so desire, memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba 103 Wilkinson Cresc. Portage la Prairie., MB. R1N 1A7 would be appreciated.

The family of Les Taylor sadly announce that Les died unexpectedly in the early hours of April 25, 2013, at the Douglas Campbell Lodge, Portage la Prairie. Les was born in the Portage General Hospital on December 28^th, 1936, the sixth of nine children’ born to Frank and Janet Taylor, High Bluff, Manitoba.

Les grew up on the family farm and received his education at Portage Creek School, Portage Collegiate (St. Mary’s la Prairie) and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in Winnipeg. He was interested in most sports but especially interested in High School football.

Les retired to his home town from Winnipeg.

One of Les’s main hobbies was creating beautiful and amazingly intricate works of egg-shell art.

As a volunteer driver, he drove cancer patients to Winnipeg and, for many years, was also active in the Portage la Prairie Citizens on Patrol Program ( COPPS).

He was predeceased by his parents and  siblings: Jim, Jack, Beth, and Tom.

He is survived by: Step-son, Brian Ross(Vivian) of Brandon (Nicole, Danny); stepdaughter Cindy Scharf  (Bryan) of Winnipeg (Lawrence, Leah) great-grandchildren, Eric, Chelsea and Kaidan; brother, Bob, (Lorraine) of Winnipeg; nephew Scott and Sharon Taylor of Kelowna, (Aric, Kaylyn) ; sister-in-law Penny (Tom); nephew Tim and Kathy Taylor ( Kelsey and Gavin), sister Essie Johnson of Brandon (Vernon) ; niece Tara Kitt (Dave) Brett , Jordan; niece Dana Templeton(Ken) of Brandon, Taylor, Madison; brother Bill Taylor of Brandon and sister Judy Taylor of Portage la Prairie.

A private grave-side funeral will be held in Hillside Cemetery, Portage la Prairie, at 11:30 am,, Friday, May 3^rd,, 2013. A memorial tea for family and friends will be held at the Herman Prior Centre , Portage la Prairie ,at 1.00pm, Friday, following interment.

Les’s family wish to extend their thanks to the Portage Hospital, extended-care staff, and the staff of the Douglas Campbell Lodge.  At his request, cremation has taken place.

Messages of condolence may be e-mailed to Ronald Moffit Memorial Services: rkm@mts.net

Peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Portage And District General Hospital, Nancy Kerman, dear sister of Stephen Kerman, passed away surrounded by those who loved her.

Nancy was born in Portage la Prairie, MB. on December 30, 1934 daughter of the late Mary and John Kerman.  She grew up and received her education in Portage la Prairie, graduating the Portage Collegiate Institute.  Following high school she attended the Manitoba Institute of Technology in Winnipeg where she completed her secretarial course.

Her first employment was with Head Office of the North American Life Assurance Co in Winnipeg.  When she was offered a promotion to the company’s offices in Toronto, she declined and instead returned to Portage to assist with her mother’s care.  In Portage la Prairie, Nancy was employed first at Greenberg and Greenberg and later at Christianson and Christianson Law office.  For a short time she worked as an assistant to lawyer Gordon Beauleau until he closed his office and then she operated her own secretarial service until retirement.

During most of her life, Nancy was an ardent antique and memorabilia collector and had a vast knowledge of values and history of many categories of collectable items.  She was a member of the Manitoba Depression Glass Club and the Manitoba Bottle Collector’s Club. Nancy spent several years as the manager of the antique shop at Central Auction in Portage. She was also a member of the Portage Horse Club and served as treasurer of the West End Community Hall.  Friday night dances at the hall were a regular event for many years.  As a young person Nancy dedicated many hours to the Coffee House for Youth at First Presbyterian Church where she also sang in the choir for many years.  Her collection of Portage history was an asset that many locals tapped into for research and interest.

Predeceased by her parents and all of her close relatives, Nancy is survived by her brother Stephen and several cousins.

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Crocus Room of the Herman Prior Centre, 40 Royal Road N. Portage la Prairie.

If friends so desire, memorial donations to the Portage Animal Welfare society, P. O. Box 1426, Portage la Prairie, MB. R1N 3N9 would be appreciated.

Suddenly on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the Portage and District General Hospital, Ruth McAllister, beloved wife of Murray McAllister, passed into the presence of her precious Holy Father at the  age of seventy seven years.

Ruth was predeceased by her first husband Gerald Fulton in 2008 and her infant son Royce in 1975.  Ruth is survived by her loving husband of three years, Murray, her children Kim (Don) Flanagan, Vance Fulton, Debbie Gardiner, Zane (Tammy) Fulton, eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Also stepchildren Julie (Garnet) Cairns, Stephen McAllister, Lloyd (Lorraine) McAllister, Barry McAllister, and one brother and two sisters as well as a large extended family.

Ruth was born on March 25, 1936 in Rothwell, Queens Co. NB. and raised in Gaspereau Forks.

She stuck close to home all her life until she was reunited with her teenage sweet heart, Murray.  They travelled between Manitoba and New Brunswick for the past three years.

Ruth was very dedicated to her saviour and believed wholeheartedly in His love for all of us.  She made a lot of friends in her short time in Portage la Prairie, especially her Bible Baptist Church family.  Ruth was a nurturer and care giver.  She was always more concerned about others than herself.  Her stepchildren are truly thankful for the great care she took of their Dad since their marriage.  We all want to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Boniface General and Portage General Hospitals for their exceptional care this past month.

Funeral service conducted Pastor Larry Bird was held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bible Baptist Church.  Interment will be in Chipman, New Bruswick.

If friends so desire, memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba 103 Wilkinson Crescent. Portage la Prairie, Mb. R1N 1A7 would be appreciated.

Suddenly on Friday, April 5, 2013 at the Portage & District General Hospital Larry McLaughlin, beloved husband of Lucie McLaughlin passed away at the age of 71 years.

 Larry was born in Cornwall, Ontario where he grew up and received his education.  In 1985 he married Lucie Lamoureux in Winnipeg and later moved to Portage la Prairie.  He was employed at Prairie Abattoir in 1991 retiring in 2007.

 Larry was an active member of the Portage Evangelical Church.  He enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman.

 Left to mourn his sudden passing besides his wife Lucie are his son Shaun McLaughlin and his brother Brian McLaughlin as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

 Funeral service conducted by Pastor Glen Loewen will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Portage Evangelical Church, 72 Third Street N. E., Portage la Prairie with reception to follow.  Interment will be in the Oakville Cemetery.

 If friends so desire, memorial donation to the Sunset Palliative Care P. O. Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB. R1N 3A7 or to the Building Fund at Portage Evangelical Church.

“Susie” Brenda Moose

With the comfort and support of her care givers, Susan Brenda Moose passed away peacefully at the MDC on March 31, 2013 at the age of 46.  Susie was born September 11, 1966 in The Pas, Manitoba to mother Jane Michelle. Susie spent her younger years in The Pas with family, until the age of 9 years when she was admitted to the St. Amant Centre in Winnipeg where she resided until the age of 15 when she made the Manitoba Developmental Centre her home.   She was predeceased by father George Michelle, sister Lorraina Rose Michelle, brother Wayne Michelle, Aunt Gladys Sumner and nephew Byron Michelle.  Left to mourn her loss are her mother Jane Michelle, sister Pamela (Ike) Klassen, niece Vanessa Kozak, brothers Raymond , Morris, Milton, Sheldon and Alvin Michelle, Uncles Harold, John and Phillip Moose and Aunt Helen Cochrene.  Especially saddened by her passing is her extended family of peers and care providers of the Parkhaven and Convalescent residential areas at the Manitoba Developmental Centre.

Susie will always be remembered for her expressive face with either the brightest smile or the cutest frown. Although the last few months have been a struggle for her, she showed great strength and patience throughout. “Rest in Peace our Little Princess”.

Funeral service was held at the Aspen Centre Chapel on Thursday, April 4^th at 1:30pm led by Chaplain Ron Siemens. Pallbearers were her family: Pam Klassen, Raymond Michelle, Milton Michelle, Morris Michelle, Sheldon Michelle and Alvin Michelle. Interment took place at Hillside Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Manitoba Camp Legacy Inc, PO box 1532, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3P5, in honour of Susie’s life and love of Camp Sandy Haven.

Unexpectedly on Sunday, March 24, 2013 Warren passed away at the age of 66 years.    No service will be held.

Suddenly on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at his residence in Brandon, MB., Finn Sorensen passed away at the age of 70 years.

Private family service.

Early on Sunday March 10^th, Marion Mae Scott (nee Brown) passed away in the Portage Hospital at the age of seventy five years.

Marion was born on May 14,  1937 to John and Nettie Brown of Silverton. MB.  Marion received the majority of her schooling in Birtle, MB.  Upon graduating she went to Winnipeg to attend Normal school.  During her schooling she met Jim Reimer. Marion and Jim married and their family grew.  Marion returned to Birtle in 1967 with her sons.  Marion remained in Birtle until she married Alec Scott in 1976.  Marion and Alec moved to Portage and later Oakville.  Upon Alec’s retirement they moved back into Portage.

Marion is predeceased by her parents John and Nettie Brown and sister Joan.  Left to mourn are her sons Conrad, Cliff (Karen), Bob (Pam) and Keith, her brother George Brown (Faye) and sister Elaine Knowles (Jack), grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Marion was an active member of the Eastern Star.  She was like the house mother of the apartment block she lived in for about 30 years.  She will be sadly missed.

If friends so desire, memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7 would be appreciated.

A memorial will be held at a later date.