MILLHAM MEMOIRS
Compiled and Printed by Jean Knourek Esterhazy, Sask. 1991
Millham Memoirs is dedicated to appreciation of the past, acquaintance with the present, and anticipation for the future generations of our family
PREFACE (Original Preface by Jean Knourek) The year 1990 marked 100 years since Charles Millham moved with his wife Sarah Ann Gowler and family, to the Hazelcliffe district. In this book I have attempted to compile a history of the Millham family from the information I have received. I assume it is correct. If there are any errors or omissions, I am truly sorry. It is better to write or publish a book even if it is not complete or perfect, then to have no book at all. As John Henry Newman said, "Nothing would be done at all if man waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault with it." I trust that this book will be a memorable keepsake and an heirloom for the generations to come. Material has been presented in a consistent pattern, but in the words of the writer wherever possible. Some submissions were edited for length, and as many pictures as possible inserted. Unfortunately, some members of the family chose not to respond to my request for information. They have not been omitted completely; limited details, compiled by myself and others are included.
Thank You --To each of you who submitted information and pictures to be included in this book. --To each of you, especially my husband, for your patience and tolerance, as I strived for accuracy and completeness. --To Sheila Bradley for proofreading and preparing pictures. --To Hudson's Bay Company Archives. --To Manitoba provincial Archives. --To Saskatchewan Provincial Archives. --To the Manitoba Lands Branch --To Diocese of Rupert's Land -- To Commercial Printers, Ltd. Regina who reproduced the copies of the manuscript. Special thanks to Albert Lamb and Les and Betty Gordon for their unsolicited financial assistance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Please note: During the "Under Construction" phase of this document, page numbers and the index will not be displayed).
Introduction Oliver and Mary Glowler Charles Millham Oliver Millham George Millham Mary (Millham) Gordon Jane (Millham) Lamb Alfred Millham Ruth (Millham) Hyde Albert Millham Alice (Millham) Gordon Florence (Millham) Nixon Elizabeth (Millham) Nixon
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MAPS
Pioneer trails and early settlements England Red River Settlement Minnedosa area Hazelcliffe area
INDEX at back of book
INTRODUCTION
To better understand the conditions (physical, social and economic) under which each generation had to live, I have included some pertinent general history. Also, since Sarah Ann Gowler’s parents were extensively written about, I have devoted a chapter to their activities and accomplishments.
RED RIVER SETTLEMENT
In the late 1700’s, The Right Honourable Earl of Selkirk, with the permission of the King of England, established a colony of settlers in the Canadian Northwest at the forks of the Red River and Assiniboine River where the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba now stands. Conflict between the two fur-trading companies of the day, the North-West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company, resulted in the massacre at Seven Oaks in 1816 and a disturbance to the settlers. As a result, Lord Selkirk intervened and soon concluded a treaty with the Indians “by which their title to that part of the land occupied by the colonists was extinguished.” In consideration of an annual present to each Indian chief, Selkirk was able to secure acreage on either side of the Red River from its mouth to Pembina, and on the Assiniboine from the forks west as far as the Muskrat River, and extending two miles back from the rivers on either side. The distance of two statute miles was conveyed to the Indians as “so much land back from the river as there would be at the farthest distance there from at which you could distinctly see a horse on the level prairie, or daylight under his belly between his legs.”
Following the death of Lord Selkirk in 1820 and the exorbitant cost to his estate, that scheme of settlement proved disastrous. In 1835 or 1836, the Hudson’s Bay Company purchased from Selkirk’s estate the District of Assiniboia in Rupert’s Land, thus reverting to themselves their old title. (Rupert’s Land included that portion of the Canadian North West that drained into Hudson’s Bay.) Governor George Simpson, on a trip to England in the winter of 1835 – 36, discussed establishing “a farm on a large scale” at the Red River Settlement with the intention of exporting produce to England to gain revenue for the Settlement and to demonstrate to the settlers a good example of farming methods. Consequently, early in 1836, Hudson’s Bay Company agents signed five-year contracts with a number of men in Lincolnshire and Cambridge to accompany Mr. George Marcus Carey (“who understands both the theory and practices of those branches of agriculture”) to the Red River Settlement to become servants in the establishment of an Experimental Farm. In his report in 1839, Governor Simpson outlined the difficulties the farm was experiencing and the inability of Carey to manage the servants. By 1841, the Experimental Farm was abandoned since it failed its aims and only five of the farm servants retired in the Red River Settlement—one of them being Oliver Gowler.
These five farm servants were granted free acreage by the Hudson’s Bay Company and began implementing the skills they had acquired on the Experimental Farm. A severe flood of the Red River in the spring of 1852 caused many settlers to lose everything. Many of them relocated to higher ground to re-establish farming operations, and became well-respected and successful colonists.
RED RIVER REBELLION Late in 1867, swarms of locusts invaded the whole country, which the following spring devoured every green thing and left the settlers on the brink of starvation. However, generous donations from the Council of Assiniboia, Hudson’s Bay Company, Canada, and the USA allowed their survival. It must be remembered here that the Red River Settlement in Rupert’s Land was under the control of the Hudson’s Bay Company (based in England), and not under the control of the Government of Canada. In the fall of 1868, a party of Canadian Government employees was dispatched for the purpose of constructing a road between the Red River and the Lake of the Woods, with the idea of implementing a public work and also providing employment for a number of the settlers. Criticism and ridicule of the settlers by some of the government employees formed the foundation for difficulties which were soon to arise. It was felt that Canada had no authority to enter upon the territory, very few settlers were actually employed, and wages were very low. The project was “the cause of the first of the disturbances that broke out among the half-breeds in opposition to the transfer of the country to Canada.” In mid-1869, Colonel J.S. Dennis was dispatched to conduct a general survey of the country. He had only begun operations when “on the 11th of October, a party of men, headed by Louis Riel, interrupted the survey and threatened violence if it was not stopped.” As a result, the surveys and work on the Lake of the Woods road had to be abandoned. The people of the settlement were so worked up into a state of unrest and the Hudson’s Bay Company so misrepresented, that the settlers were in serious doubt about the intentions of the authorities. The French portion of the settlement, in particular, suspected that the Hudson’s Bay company planned to hand them over to Canada without any regard for their interests. The newly- appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories, Honourable William McDougall, was barred by the French from reaching the settlement when he was sent there to make preliminary arrangements for organization. Colonel Dennis was dispatched to enlist the aid of the Scotch and English settlers but they refused, saying they had been on good terms with the French and, in effect, that the Canadian Government should fight its own fight. Governor McTavish of the Hudson’s Bay Company convened a meeting of the Council of Assiniboia on October 24, 1869 which Louis Riel attended and promised to tell the Metis of the resolution to allow the Lieutenant-Governor to enter. Riel called a meeting on November 16 – 17 with the result that he announced that he was considering the establishment of a Provisional Government. The threat was carried out and Riel, as secretary of the Metis council, seized Governor McTavish along with money and supplies at Fort Garry. On December 7, the Provisional Government took forty-three prisoners and made a declaration which stated that a “provisional government was necessary as the people had been abandoned by the Great Company.” Public meetings continued into the new year and on February 5, 1870 a new “List of Rights” was drawn up. Riel spoke in favour of the colony entering Confederation, not as a Territory but as a Province. The Council of Rupert’s Land accepted the Provisional Government and confirmed Louis Riel as president before it adjourned on February 10. Two days later, Riel released many of his prisoners but the settlers at Portage la Prairie were unaware of the proceedings and sent an armed party under Major Boulton to rescue them. The result was that Riel seized forty-seven of the volunteers as they were disbanding and imprisoned them. A list of those forty-seven names—Chas. Millham being one of them—appears in “History of the North-
West” by Alexander Begg. Overcome by a desire to strike terror into the hearts of his opponents, Riel had one of those prisoners, Thomas Scott, executed as an example. Cooler tempers prevailed when Bishop Tache returned to St. Boniface from Rome and addressed the Provisional Government on March 8. He influenced Riel to free the prisoners, and the Council began again to formulate a constitution for Manitoba. Negotiations were so successful that on May 2, Prime Minister John A. MacDonald introduced the Manitoba Act in the House of Commons. After being declared a criminal by the government for the death of Scott, Riel was exiled to the United States. He returned to lead the Metis during the 1885 Rebellion and was later hanged as a traitor.
MANITOBA ACT The Manitoba Act, which provided for the entry of Manitoba into Confederation, became effective July 15, 1870. It was based largely on the proposals drafted by Riel as president of the provisional government. Because of his contributions, Riel is considered by some to be a “Father of Confederation.” The terms and conditions of the act numbered fifteen, some of which stated:
--All grants of land up to the eighth day of March, 1869, conferred by the Company, are to be confirmed by grant from the Crown. --Any claims of Indians to compensation for lands required for settlement shall be disposed of by the Canadian Government…the Company shall be relieved of all responsibility in respect of them. --All rights to cutting hay held by the settlers are to be regulated in fair and equitable terms.
However, it seems, the settlers had no title deeds to their property—they knew they had paid a certain sum for their land, or that it had been given to them for services, or that they had squatted upon it, but of title deeds or receipts they knew nothing. Transfers of property were considered good in those days even if the transfers were not recorded. Most settlers were required to undergo a lengthy collection of pertinent documents to prove ownership and obtain title. Charles Millham was no exception.
DOMINION LANDS ACT Two pieces of legislation were passed in 1872 by Parliament to hasten the settlement of the Canadian North-West. The basic provisions of settlement were outlined in the Dominion Lands Act whereby a settler could take up a quarter-section of unoccupied Dominion Land upon the payment of a $10 registration fee. Any male over eighteen was eligible and had to live on his homestead for six months in each of three consecutive years, break ten acres in each year, and build a habitable house. After three years, providing he had fulfilled the required duties, the homesteader could file a claim of ownership and receive his patent.
Regulations enacted in 1882 required that even-numbered sections throughout Dominion Lands be reserved for homestead entry while odd-numbered sections were granted to the Canadian Pacific Railway as subsidies. To raise capital for expansion of railroads, the company sold their land to settlers, usually for about $3/acre. While in many cases, those settlers referred to their property as “homesteads”, in the strict sense of the word, that was not true as they didn’t have government requirements to meet.
In May 1898, legislation was passed which stated: Sons of settlers may be permitted to perform the residence duties in connection with their own homestead by living at the home of the parent, providing the latter occupied farming land in the neighbourhood.
HAZELCLIFFE
Quoting What’s in a Name: “Hazelcliffe is between Tantallon and Esterhazy. It had a Post Office in 1892 and a school in 1893. Mr. William Delmage, the first postmaster, named it Hazelcliffe, because of the abundance of hazelnuts growing on the banks of the Little Cut Arm Creek which flowed near his farm.”
The first settlers in the area were the Gordons who arrived from Bruce County, Ontario, in 1880, followed by the Bradleys and Delmages in 1889, and the Millhams in 1890. A store was located between the Bradley and Delmage farms and Hazelcliffe School #285 was built on the southwest corner of Willie Gordon’s homestead. Hazelcliffe Cemetery was established in 1899 on a plot donated by the Gordons overlooking the picturesque Qu’Appelle Valley.
The Hamlet of Hazelcliffe began to emerge following the arrival of the CPR in 1903. The Presbyterian Church (later United, and which still stands today) was built in 1904, followed by elevators, a store, post office, boarding house, blacksmith shop and other businesses, and several residences. The store closed its doors in 1957, the last worship service in Hazelcliffe Church was held in June 1969, and the grain elevators and postal service terminated in 1970. Since that time, Hazelcliffe and area residents have depended on Esterhazy for their requirements.
Esterhazy is a town of some 3000 residents, and is widely known for its proximity to the largest potash deposit in the world. International Minerals and Chemical Corporation (IMC) developed two mines in the area; the first known as K1 went into production in 1962 and the second, K2, some years later. The rich agricultural land in the area and the spin-offs from the potash industry have made Esterhazy the thriving modern town that it is today.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Narrative of the Canadian Red River and Exploring Expedition of 1857 and of the Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition of 1858 by Henry Youle Hind, professor of Chemistry and Geology in the University of Trinity College, Toronto. (M.G. Hurtig Ltd. Booksellers & Publishers, Edmonton) The Assiniboine Basin by Martin Kavanagh History of the North-West (Volume 1) by Alexander Begg (Toronto 1894) The Heart of the Continent by Edgar Stanford Russenholt (MacFarlane Communication Services, Winnipeg 1968) The Bride Snowshoed from York Factory to Norway House by Ed. S. Russenolt (Winnipeg Free Press, March 5, 1966) Hudson’s Bay Company’s Land Tenures by Archer Martin (London: William Clowes and Sons, Limited, 1898)
OLIVER AND MARY GOWLER Oliver Gowler of the Parish of March, Cambridge and Isle of Ely, England, entered the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company on May 23, 1836 and on June 5 of the same year, sailed with his wife Mary on the Prince Rupert for the Red River Settlement. To quote Edgar S. Russenholt:
“Two young women move onto the stage of Assiniboia’s history in early 1837. One in the gilded coach of Empire; the other on snowshoes. One, acclaimed by all the pomp and power of a conquering people…the other, hearing only the harsh croak of a raven or the jumpy flight of a whiskey-jack overhead, and underfoot, the crunching raquettes of two dozen pioneers, trekking through the Canadian wilds. One is England’s Queen Victoria beginning her long and glorious reign; the other is Mary, slight young bride of Oliver Gowler, who snowshoes from York Factory to Norway House—with her husband and a party of Lincolnshire farm families, on the way to build new lives in the unknown vastness of Assiniboia. The story is told that the slight little bride is Mary, daughter of Lord Braybrooke; and her husband, Oliver Gowler, the butler with whom she is determined to share her life. Mary and Oliver Gowler were wed during the previous summer in their English homeland. Oliver Gowler had hired as servant to work on “the Great Company’s” new experimental farm at Red River. They landed at York Factory, on the bleak coast of Hudson’s Bay, late in the fall of 1836. Too late to trek the 300 miles to Norway House, then up Lake Winnipeg the further 300 miles to the Settlement, they wintered (unwelcomed) at York. With the addition of these new-comers to the numbers to be fed, food ran low. Threat of starvation forced the decision to snowshoe 300 frozen wilderness miles to Norway House. Inexperienced and clumsy on their strange foot-gear, they flounder, mile after mile, day after day—over deep snowdrifts, rocky ridges, frozen waters, and around raging rapids. As they master the sliding lope of the raquetteur, each day they cover more miles; but each night are exhausted. Little Mary Gowler cannot keep up with the marching line. She starts out ahead each morning, shares hot soup with the others at noon, and struggles after the party until, in the settling northland twilight, Oliver comes back to help her over the final mile. After weeks of this gruelling travel, Norway House was reached. When the ice moved out from shore, the party loaded into open craft (probably 40 foot York boats) and voyaged up Lake Winnipeg and the Red River to the Settlement. Oliver Gowler reported for work to “the Company Farm.”
Contract between Oliver Gowler and the Company: An agreement, made this Twenty third day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Thirty-six BETWEEN Oliver Gowler of Well End in the Parish of March in the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely in England of the one Part, and the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England, Trading into Hudson’s Bay, by William Skelton their agent of the other part as follows-- The said Oliver Gowler hereby contracts to enter into the service and employment of the said Company in North America in the capacity of farm servant and that he will embark when thereunto required on board such ship or vessel as shall be appointed by or on behalf of the said Company, and proceed to Hudson’s Bay and for the term of five years to be computed from the said embarkation and faithfully serve the said Company as their hired servant in the capacity of Farm Servant, and devote the whole of his time and labour in their service and for their sole benefit, and that he will do his duty as such, and perform all such Work and Service by day or by night for the said Company as he shall be required to do; and obey all orders, which he shall receive from
the Governors of the Company in North America, or other their Officers or Agents for the time being and that he will with courage and fidelity in his said station in the said service defend the property of the said Company and their Factories and Territories, and will not absent himself from the said Service, nor engage or be concerned in any Trade or Employment whatsoever, except for the benefit of the said Company and according to their orders. And that the said Oliver Gowler will faithfully obey all Laws, Orders and Regulations established or made by the said Company for the good government of their Settlements and Territories. And at all times during the residence of the said Oliver Gowler in North America he will defend the Rights and Privileges of the said Company and aid and support their Officers and Agents to the utmost of his power. And the said Oliver Gowler further engages and agrees that if required so to do by the Governors of the said Company…he shall enroll himself as a soldier in any Volunteer, Militia or other Military Corps that may be formed or embodied by the said Company in North America and act in that capacity with courage and fidelity on any offensive or defensive service on which he may be employed…and attend such drill or exercise in order to acquire a knowledge of the duties that may be required of him as a Member of such Corps whenever he may be called upon so to do…And the said Oliver Gowler further engages and agrees that his wife and children shall in consideration of being found in provisions by the said Company if required so to do by the Governors of the said Company in North America…render their services in Reaping, Hay Making, Sheep Shearing, Weeding and such other light work as they may be equal to at the Farm or Farms on which the said Oliver Gowler may be employed by the Governors…and the said Oliver Gowler further engages and agrees that in case he shall omit to give notice to the Governor…one year or upwards before the expiration of the said term of five years of his intention to quit their Service and return to Europe, then that he hereby promises and engages to remain one year longer, and also until the next ship in the service of the said Company shall sail from thence for Europe, as their hired servant in North America, upon the like terms, as are contained in this Contract. And the said Oliver Gowler also engages and agrees that in case the said Company shall not have any ship which will sail from Hudson’s Bay for Europe immediately after the expiration of the said Term of Five years, or of such further term as therein before mentioned, then he hereby promises and engages to remain in the Service as a hired servant of the said Company in North America until the next ship of the Company shall sail from thence for Europe, upon the like Terms as are contained in this Contract. And the said William Skelton on behalf of the said Company hereby engages, That upon Condition of the due and faithful service of the said Oliver Gowler and his wife and children in like manner as aforesaid but not otherwise the said Oliver Gowler shall receive from the said Company after the rate of Seventeen Pounds per annum Wages to commence on the day of his embarkation for Hudson’s Bay as aforesaid, and up to the day of his embarkation from thence for Europe in one of the ships of the said Company’s service and be found in Board and Lodging for himself and for his wife and children on the conditions aforesaid free of cost, by the said Company. And in the event of the said Oliver Gowler being enrolled in a Volunteer Militia or other Military Corps as aforesaid, he shall be provided by the Company free of cost with a Uniform or suit of Regimental clothes every second year to be worn when on duty in the said corps if so directed by the Officer or Officers who may be appointed from time to time to the said Corps. And shall likewise be provided with Arms and Ammunition free of cost by the said Company. And in the event of the said Oliver Gowler being desirous of remaining in the Territory of the said Company in North America and of settling herein as a permanent resident after the expiration of this Engagement, he shall be permitted so to do by the said Company if his conduct up to that time shall have been to their entire satisfaction and a grant of fifty acres of land shall be made to him free of cost but subject to the like conditions, restrictions, rules and regulations as the other retired Servants of the said Company holding grants of land as settlers under them in such situation or place as may hereinafter be determined on by the said Company. But in consideration of such Grant of Land the said Oliver Gowler shall have to render twenty eight days service or labour in every
year for the first seven years after he shall have become a settler or permanent resident in the country to the said Company on any duty he may be called upon to perform by the Governors of the said Company…without being entitled to any further remuneration for such service or labour. But the permission to remain in the country after the expiration of this engagement to be dependent on the conduct of the said Oliver Gowler during the term of this engagement and discretionary with the said Company…Provided always and it is hereby expressly agreed between the said parties thereto that it shall be lawful for the Governor…at any time during the said term of five years or such additional term as aforesaid…to dismiss the said Oliver Gowler from their service and direct his return from thence to Europe in one of the ships in their employment, and in which case a passage free of cost shall be provided by the said Company for the said Oliver Gowler and his wife and children from Hudson’s Bay back to England and in such case his wages are to cease from the day of his embarkation for Europe. And further that in case the said Oliver Gowler shall at any time during this contract desert the service of the said Company or otherwise neglect or refuse duly to discharge his duty as such hired servant…he shall forfeit and lose all his wages, for the recovery whereof there shall be no relief either in Law or in Equity.
In witness thereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands To be allowed one ounce of Tea per week.
Signed in the presence of David Grant Oliver Gowler William Skelton
Upon completion of his contract in 1841, Oliver retired from the Hudson’s Bay Company and began farming on his own, Lot 672 which had been granted by Hudson’s Bay’ Company gratis. An 1843 census shows Oliver Gowler as being English Protestant, 31 years of age, and having a wife, and two daughters and one son under the age of 16. He had one house, one barn, and one stable, and his livestock consisted of two oxen and two cows. Machinery is listed as one plough and two carts. Six acres of the fifty-acre lot were cultivated. The Red River flood of 1852 caused the family to abandon their farm (which was later transferred to the Bishop of Rupert’s Land) and move west to Headingly where, in June of that year, they acquired Lots 1325 and 1326, which consisted of 90 and 91 acres respectively, for a price of 90 and 91 pounds. The debt was cleared in October 1856. Also in 1856, Oliver bought Lots 1322, 1323, 1324 and 1327 at the price of one pound/acre, with payments completed and title granted on 1324 and 1327 that year and on the other two, on March 10, 1858.
According to information available, Oliver and Mary Gowler had twelve children born to them. Baptism dates, as obtained from Hudson’s Bay Company Archives and Manitoba Provincial Archives, are: Eliza, September 16, 1838 Oliver, January 1, 1849 Mary, May 28, 1840 Elizabeth Jane, January 2, 1853 William, February 22, 1842 Griffith Owen, August 6, 1854 Thomas, October 15, 1843 George, October 3, 1856 John, June 29, 1845 Eleanor, October 3, 1856 Sarah Anne, April 2, 1846 James Robert, June 27, 1858 Mother Mary was also baptized, as an adult, on September 16, 1838. Other available information shows: Eleanor Gowler, burial, October 4, 1856; 13 days Eliza Gowler, married John Setter (age 20), 1857 Elizabeth Jane, married Boyd Andrew, 1867 James Robert, married Margaret McLennan (age 17), March 19, 1879
Quoting from H.Y. Hind (1857): “On the morning of September 16 we paid a visit to Mr. Gowler, whose farm is situated on the immediate banks of the Assiniboine, about nine miles from Fort Garry. Nearly all farming operations were over, but an inspection of his farmyard and garden enabled me to form an opinion of his success and prospects as an agriculturist on the Assiniboine. A small stack-yard was filled with stacks of wheat and hay; his barn, which was very roomy, was crammed with wheat, barley, potatoes, pumpkins, turnips and carrots. The root crops were shortly to be transferred to root houses, which he had constructed by excavating chambers near the high bank of the Assiniboine, and draining them into the river. The drain was supplied with a close and tightly fitting trap, which was closed when the water rose during the spring above its mouth, at that time eight feet above the level of the river. The chambers were about nine feet high, and their ceilings three feet below the prairie level. Access was obtained through a hole in the ceiling, which was covered with a neat little movable roof. There were three of these cellars or root-houses before the dwelling-house, and between it and the river. Frost never entered them, and he found no difficulty in preserving a large stock of potatoes and turnips through the severe winters of this region. “Mr. Gowler farmed fifty acres in white and green crops, hay and pasture being furnished by the prairie. He owned much more land, but found it useless to crop it, as no market for surplus produce existed. In 1856 he had sold many bushels of potatoes at sixpence per bushel, and had carted them nine miles. I had been previously informed of the extraordinary success of Mr. Gowler in growing wheat, but I found upon inquiry that the practice he employed was simply not to grow wheat after wheat; he had grown fifty-six measured bushels to the acre. The price of wheat at the time of my departure was 4s. 5d. sterling a bushel, but last year at the same time it had been 3s. 6d. sterling. His turnips (Swedes) were magnificent; four of them weighed 70 lbs., two weighing 39 lbs., and two others 31 lbs. Whatever manure his yard and stables supplied he gave to green crops and the garden. A portion of the potato crop was still in the ground; they far surpassed in quantity, quality, and size, any I had ever seen before. Mr. Gowler very kindly turned them up out of the soil wherever I pointed out. I counted thirteen, fourteen, and sixteen potatoes, averaging three and a-half inches in diameter, at each root respectively. They were a round white-skinned variety, like those known in Canada as the “English White.” The potatoes were planted on 1st June, and were ready for eating on the 16th or 18th August. The winter supply was rarely taken out of the ground before the beginning of October. The greatest enemy to the turnip crop is the cut-worm (the grub of an elater). Indian corn succeeds well on Mr. Gowler’s farm, and onions of rare dimensions were growing in his garden. He had had this year a splendid crop of melons, the seed being sown in the open air at the end of May, and the fruit gathered about the 1st September. At the time of my visit the melons had all been consumed, but I had several opportunities of tasting and enjoying this fruit at Fort Garry and elsewhere on the Assiniboine and Red River. In every instance they were grown in the open air, without any artificial aid beyond weeding, from the time the seed was planted to the maturation of the fruit. Mr. Gowler insisted on my tasting his wife’s cheese, and smoking his tobacco, before I departed. The cheese was tolerable; the tobacco, which was grown in the neighbourhood and highly prized by Mr. Gowler, was dreadfully strong, and would involve long training in order to acquire a taste for its qualities. Nevertheless, Mr. Gowler preferred it to some excellent fig-leaf which I offered him; he remarked that he had grown and prepared it himself, and knew what it was. I may here relate, with a view to show how long old associations linger in the recollections of the European portion of the populations in this remote region, that when I sat down to table
Mr. Gowler turned inquiringly to his wife saying, “And where is my plate?” “Oh, John! You would not think of sitting at table with gentlemen?” Mr. John seemed puzzled for a moment; his son-in-law and children were looking in silence from different corners of the room. He cast a hasty glance around, and the true feelings of independence and manly right showed themselves, as he exclaimed, “Give me a chair and a plate; am I not a gentleman, too? Is not this my house, my farm, and these my victuals? Give me a plate.” As Mr. Gowler accompanied me to the gate, where my horse was tied, he expressed, with much warmth of feeling and manner, the following opinion of husbandry and its prospects in Assiniboia:
“Look at that prairie; 10,000 head of cattle might feed and fatten there for nothing. If I found it worth my while, I could enclose 50, 100, or 500 acres, and from every acre get 30 to 40 bushels of wheat, year after year. I could grow Indian corn, barley, oats, flax, hemp, hops, turnips, tobacco, anything you wish, and to any amount, but what would be the use? There are no markets, it’s a chance if my wheat is taken, and my potatoes I may have to give to the pigs. If we had only a market, you’d have to travel long before you would see the like of these prairies about the Assiniboine.” The substantial character of the barn, stables, and piggeries, constructed of wood, their neatness and cleanliness, the admirable arrangements of the hammels for cattle, and the sheds for sheep, all showed how far a little energy and determination, instructed by the experience of earlier years, would go in reproducing amidst the boundless prairies of Assiniboia, the comforts and enjoyments which are by no means the rule among the small farmers of Great Britain. I regretted to find that a few days before my visit the grasshoppers had arrived from the south-west and consumed in a single day every green leaf in the garden which remained exposed to their attacks. The “Nor’-Wester,” a newspaper published for the first time at the Red River Settlement on the 28th December, 1859, mentions Mr. Gowler’s success as an agriculturist in the following terms:-- “At seed-time of the present year (1859), all traces of the pestilence (grasshoppers) had disappeared, and Mr. Gowler having before his eyes the pretty sure prospect of a good market, brought under cultivation a greater breadth of land than any year previously. He sowed 63 bushels of wheat, 36 of barley, 24 of oats, and 101 of potatoes, and from these he realized 700 bushels of wheat, 350 of barley, 480 of oats, and 2,100 of potatoes. The cost of the seed was 50 L.; in preparing and tilling the soil, about 25 L. more were expended; and the cost of gathering in and threshing the crops is set down at 100 L.—making a total expenditure of 175 L. ($875) Place against that the sums representing the sale of the wheat at 6 s., the barley at 3s. 9d., the oats at 2s. 6d., and the potatoes at 1s. 3d. per bushel (average prices, which the produce will easily command), and the gross return is $2324, or net $1449. An argument more strong and convincing than could be wrought out by any other process of reasoning, stands stubbornly forth in favour of the claims of the settlement as being one of the best agricultural countries on the face of the globe. It should be added that Mr. Gowler’s profits have already enabled him to enlarge the bounds of his estate to 600 acres; to stock it with a noble herd of cattle and horses, and make the necessary preparations for erecting thereon, next summer, a snug and comfortable mansion.”
Further quoting from Ed. Russenholt (1956)
“Historians stress that small acreages were cropped because markets were limited. Harry Bremner, a leading Assiniboia citizen throughout his 82 years, emphasizes that the country was
water-logged. Farmers broke only the patches of dry land found here and there. The success of the Gowler family was the result, largely, of carefully selecting land that sloped broadly down to Gowler’s Creek. This creek crosses the Portage Trail at Mrs. Ryan’s shop today and traverses the easterly end of the new park to the Assiniboine. Its well-drained mellow banks provided the first cultivated fields. At Gowler’s Creek they “had a fine farm, known through all the settlement for its good buildings and thorough management”. What Oliver and Mary had learned, they shared with all. Garrioch records that, as a boy, he heard Oliver Gowler lecture in Portage la Prairie on Agricultural Economy, in 1862. This sturdy pioneer had the satisfaction of leaving a good farm to a fine family when he passed on. Assessed at $9.50/acre in 1945, 270 acres of the original homestead of Oliver and Mary Gowler was sold in 1962 for $1,000/acre and built into a magnificent public park and golf course.”
Oliver Gowler passed away June 8, 1865 at the age of 52 years.
Again quoting Russenholt: “Mary Gowler was one of the few Methodists whom Dr. Young found when he came in 1868. Her house had long been home for missionaries, like the McDougalls, as they traveled to and from Fort Garry. As the infirmities of age settled upon her, the friends to whom she had endeared herself by her kind-hearted simplicity and devout religious life were close to her. Hon John Taylor wrote in his diary: “Tuesday, 5 February, 1878: Mr. Washer and lady called to borrow horse and cutter to drive down as far as Mrs. Gowler’s. The old lady is very poorly.”
Mary Gowler died March 9, 1878.
Both Oliver and Mary were buried in Headingly Cemetery where the inscription on their headstone is: GOWLER
OLIVER BORN IN ENGLAND DIED JUNE 8, 1865 AGED 52 YEARS ------HIS WIFE, MARY BORN IN LINCOLNSHIRE, ENGLAND OCTOBER 20, 1816 DIED MARCH 9, 1878 ------THEIR SON, THOMAS DIED NOVEMBER 12, 1865 AGED 22 YEARS
CHARLES MILLHAM (compiled by Jean Knourek) Nothing is known about Charles Millham’s early life, but I was able to obtain a copy of his birth certificate from the General Register Office in London, England, showing that he was born on November 20, 1840 to Mary Milham in the workhouse at Battle, County of Sussex. In those days, the workhouses became the homes of many orphans and destitute people who, for one reason or another, had nowhere else to live. The wealthy and powerful Church of England often visited the workhouses in search of promising youngsters to place in their residential schools and provided them with an education. In speculation, this may have been how Charles later came to be employed by the Church.
It will be noted that Millham was spelled with only one “L”. It seems Charles made the change following his marriage since any signature of his after that time includes two “L’s”.
It is believed that Charles came to present-day Winnipeg, Manitoba in about 1858 and worked for the Church of England with the Bishop of Rupert’s Land, the Right Reverend David Anderson. Hudson’s Bay Company Archives show that on December 8, 1863 Charles acquired Lot 1046, in the Parish of Headingly, from Rev. David Anderson. The property consisted of 98 acres, and measured 164 chains/6 chains frontage. (A surveyor’s chain is 66 feet.) No purchase price is listed, and later correspondence suggests that the Bishop gave Charles the property. Correspondence indicates, also, that about the first of the year 1864, Charles “settled on and improved the same.”
On February 25, 1864 Charles married Sarah Ann Gowler, the sixth of twelve children born to Oliver and Mary Gowler. The ceremony was officiated by the Right Reverend David Anderson, and witnessed by two of Sarah’s brothers, Oliver and John, and by Elizabeth Miller and Elizabeth Bryant. In the next twenty years, twelve children were born to Charles and Sarah.
On June 6, 1868 Charles bought Lot 1047, adjoining his property on the west side, from Mrs. Ann Gunn for a “sum of thirty pounds sterling which is to be payed by the end of twelve months with house and all standing property thereon—fifteen pounds of which is to be paid in the meantime.” A payment of fifteen pounds sterling was made on July 9, 1868 with payment in full being made on October 19, 1870. The lot consisted of 100 acres and measured 168 chains with six chains frontage.
In March 1873, in reply to an advertisement to that effect, Charles began detailed correspondence to obtain patent for his land. As a result, both lots were recommended for patent on December 15, 1873 by the Hudson’s Bay Company which listed the improvement as including one dwelling, four other buildings, and 42 acres broken. The lots were renumbered Lot 15 when the federal government commenced governing lands, and patent was granted on April 2, 1875 to include an area of 200.4 acres. However, the patent for the outer two miles was not issued until May 28, 1903.
Following is a collection of correspondence by Charles Millham in proving ownership of his property at Headingly (obtained from Manitoba Provincial Archives):
Headingly 29th March 1873 To Lieut. Cl. Dennis In accordance with your advertisement of the 22nd instant I beg to apply for my patent for lands to situate here in this Parish and annexed hereto are the necessary documents in support of my claim.
I am Sir yours faithfully Charles Millham
****************************
I, Charles Millham of the Parish of Headingly in the County of Selkirk, Province of Manitoba, Farmer, make Oath and say— 1. That sometime in the year 1863 the late Bishop of Rupert’s Land gave me one Lot of land extending six chains in width on the South side of the Assiniboine River, the same standing in my name and being numbered 1048 in the Hudson’s Bay Company Register and that on or about the 1st day of the year 1864 I settled on and improved the same. 2. That on or about the 6th day of June 1868 I purchased from Mrs. Gunn a Lot of land on the West side of and adjoining the aforesaid Lot, the same extending six chains and being numbered 1049 in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Registry. 3. That I have since occupied the said Lots and that they contain together twelve chains frontage on the South side of the Assiniboine River and run back two miles to the base line, and are bounded on the east by a Lot belonging to William Tait and the West by a Lot belonging to James Tait. I claim my lots under the 32 Section, Manitoba Act. The improvements are: One Dwellinghouse, Two Barns, Two Storehouses and about twenty acres of land, more or less, under cultivation.
Sworn before me at Winnipeg This 31st day March 1873 S. Arthur Levequent
June 6th 1868
I, Mrs. Gunn do hereby sell to Charles Millham my right and title of tract of land on the south side of the Assiniboine River No. 1049 in the year of our Lord 1868 for the sum of thirty pounds sterling which is to be payed by the end of twelve months with house and all standing property thereon—fifteen pounds of which is to be paid in the meantime. Mrs. Ann Gunn Charles Millham Witnesses George Sutherland Alex Sutherland Payed the sum of Fifteen Pounds sterling on the 9th of July 1868 Received payment in full on the 19th of October 1870 Mrs. Flett Charles Millham ****************************
Headingly April 12th, 1873 Dear Sir:
It is with regret I have discovered that I have given in wrong numbers of my two lots of land. I should have been down to see you today but owing to the backup of the river I am unable to come. I am sorry to have to trouble you again but the disposer of the lot of land I bought furnished me with the wrong number as she or her deceased husband was furnished with the wrong number from Mr. Corbett who transferred the said lot of land to him and as I held no number of the other lot in my possession I sent in wrong numbers of both lots. Dear Sir can I ask your pardon in troubling you to correct these wrong numbers. The numbers given in were 1048 and 1049 but the correct numbers are 1046 and 1047.
************************** Winnipeg January 17th, 1878
I certify that Lot no. 15 in the Parish of Headingly has been patented to Charles Millham, and that the said Millham sold the said Lot to Joseph F. Charnock by deed dated 14th June 1875 and registered on the 24th day of September 1875 (including all rights and privileges thereto attached) and that the said Joseph F. Charnock has not sold the said land or the outer two miles attached thereto, but that the same seems to be vested in the said Joseph F. Charnock as shown by the books in this office.
A.M. Kennedy Registrar of Deeds For the County of Selkirk
During the Red River Rebellion of 1869-70, Charles was one of 47 men imprisoned by Louis Riel for a period of one month—from about February 17 to March 15, 1870. It seems that Charles was with a large group of angry settlers who had traveled from Portage la Prairie to obtain the release of another group of prisoners. It is told that through that time, Sarah visited Charles regularly and took him food. She is also said to have pleaded with Riel for Charles’ release by taking him a loaf of bread each day.
By the later 1870’s, Charles had decided to move west in search of perhaps more and better land. He sold Lot 15 to Joseph F. Charnock effective June 14, 1875 and on December 27, 1877 he made entry at Portage la Prairie for SW18-15-17 W1 at Minnedosa. He began cultivating and residing on the homestead on May 1, 1870. By June 28, 1882 when he applied for his patent, he had a one-story house 20x20 built of hewn poplar logs and covered with thatch. The 20x20 stable was also built of poplar logs but covered with bundles and hay. Cultivated land was 22 acres, 10 of which were under crop and 40 acres were fenced. The NW 18-15-17, his pre-emption, was paid for in cash, and the homestead was recommended for patent on August 1, 1882 (See map of Minnedosa Area.)
The story is that Charles used to ride horseback and leave home for days at a time. No doubt he made many acquaintances during his travels. By 1889 he had found land further west to his liking, and following a great deal of correspondence and red tape, made entry for SE22-18- 33 W1 with his pre-emption being the NE quarter of the same section in the Hazelcliffe district. By February 4, 1890 Charles was advised he would be allowed to homestead the SE quarter and purchase the NE quarter at $2.50/acre.
He commenced cultivation in 1890 and built a house the same year, 20x16 and 18x16, logs, lumbered on outside and shingled. His livestock at the time of moving to Hazelcliffe consisted of two teams of oxen and 35 head of cattle. By 1901, when Charles received title to his land, his livestock consisted of 7 horses and 15 head of cattle. A 40x30 log stable with sod roof had been built and a 36x22 log granary with shingled roof. As well, a 2-wire fence was erected for a distance of 1 ½ miles around some acreage.
Following the marriage of their youngest son, Albert, who took over the farm, Charles and Sarh retired to the hamlet of Hazelcliffe to a new house that was built for them (which was later known as the Bleasby house). Their home was located just behind the new Presbyterian Church which was also built in 1904. Charles became the first secretary and also an elder in the church.
Charles and Sarah were able to do a bit of traveling in their later years—at least one trip to Oregon in 1909 and to California in 1915 with their son, George.
A nurse stayed at the house for several weeks to care for Charles as he suffered from Bright’s Disease until his death on August 20, 1915. Sarah moved to Wapella and lived in a small house/addition at the home of her daughter, Alice. She passed away due to a heart condition on January 26, 1918.
CHARLES AND SARAH (1840-1915) (1846-1918) married 1864
1. Caroline (March 17, 1865 – October 10, 1866) 2. Oliver Charles (October 19, 1866 – October 16, 1955) 3. George William (July 19, 1868 – October 9, 1947) 4. James Obediah (January 7, 1870 – March 22, 1870) 5. Mary Frances (March 11, 1871 – September 20, 1899) 6. Jane Ann (September 10, 1872 – May 24, 1951) 7. Alfred (December 30, 1873 – October 21, 1899) 8. Ruth (July 22, 1875 – August 2, 1906) 9. Albert Edward (December 24, 1878 – May 25, 1953) 10. Alice (August 18, 1880 – August 30, 1973) 11. Florence (October 2, 1882 – May 10, 1952) 12. Elizabeth (December 4, 1884 – July 13, 1972)
Anecdotes As related by grandchildren of Charles and Sarah:
Charles was in a dairy partnership with two other men at Headingly, but they cheated him of his money.
Charles and Sarah came to Wapella each spring about Easter time. They attended the Anglican Church here and stayed a few days at Alice’s, and in the Kendalton district with Florrie and Lizzie. Charles and Sarah were dressed fit to kill, and rode in a fancy buggy (shiny and black) drawn by a team of horses with shiny harness.
(Myrtle Thorn)
Once Charles and Sarah needed flour, so they went to Esterhazy with the horse and buggy. Afterward, Sarah settled Charles to go home while she, accompanied by granddaughters Florrie and Elsie, went on the train.
Sarah was of strong character, very methodical and a good business manager. She couldn’t read or write and may have been jealous of Charles who could.
Charles was of gentle character and a happy guy who loved a joke. He sang in the choir and had an organ which was given to son George after a trip to California in 1913-14.
(Elsie McKenzie)
When Sarah came to live with our family after Charles’ death, Dad built a house onto our house—kitchen, living room, bedroom and utility room, with an adjoining door and an outside door, where Sarah lived out her days. Dad lit our fire and went to light her fire every morning.
Once Sarah had a dream about Charles in which he said, “Come Mother, it’s time we were going. The bugle is blowing.” She was gone in two weeks.
(Les Gordon)
OLIVER
(as written by son Roy in 1966)
Oliver Charles, the eldest son of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Headingly on October 19, 1866 and moved with his family to Minnedosa, Manitoba in 1879. When he was old enough, Dad took up a homestead of his own at Russell. Because he had earned title to his homestead prior to 1905, he was eligible to apply for a second homestead—which he did when the Millham family moved to Hazelcliffe.
Oliver married Ann Jane Gordon (born May 5, 1874 near Paisley, Bruce County, Ontario), daughter of William and Jane (Merrill) Gordon, who moved with her family to the Hazelcliffe district in 1880. In building his first log cabin, Dad had made a mistake and built it across the road allowance on a Mr. Delmage’s property, but they lived in it for a few years following their marriage. That is where I was born. As the homestead was rough land more suited to pasture, Dad bought an adjoining half section, which he broke up with oxen. Mr. Delmage told how he had slipped in and walked behind Dad when he was ploughing with oxen and that Dad never once swore. A new log house was built in the middle of the half section and when it rained, the roof would leak. Mother used to make up a bed under the table for my brother and me, to keep us dry.
There was no doctor in the country closer than Wapella, which was 25 miles away, and that was where Father used to haul his grain in the winter with oxen. It was very difficult to get your grain threshed in those days, so my father bought a portable steam engine and threshing machine. The sheaves had to be fed into the cylinder by hand, and it had straw carriers behind instead of a blower. He used to be threshing until Christmas time, as far away as 20 miles from home. By then, he had horses to move it around. About that time, my father built a new frame two-story house not far from the log one. Some time later, my father sold the old steam outfit and went to Winnipeg to purchase a big Reaves steam tractor and threshing machine, which was a big improvement.
Father bought a half section of land (in the Qu’Appelle Valley about five miles away) from the CPR for three dollars an acre. He used the steam tractor to break it up. The next year he bought another quarter along side, and it cost him four dollars an acre.
He built the first telephone line in the country, between our home place and the valley farm. It was a single wire system hung on poplar posts and worked so well that he and some neighbors built another one to the store and post office, about three miles away. It was about that time that Dad bought the Wrightson place and moved the house up there. Olive was born before the house was moved and Alfred afterward.
In 1903, Alexander Irvine arrived in Hazelcliffe by train (that was the end of the line at that time) and obtained employment with Dad for three years. In 1908, Dad asked Alex to return and take over his farming operations. However, Alex wanted to buy a farm of his own so Dad sold him the farm in the valley and also supplied four horses and a two-furrow plough with no money down. That farm had forty acres broken. Alex’s wife, Jane Sutter, was also employed by Dad following her arrival in Canada and prior to her marriage in 1911.
In 1910, Dad bought a hotel in Prince Albert. Two years later, he sold the hotel as well as the farm and moved to Vancouver. I think we had the sale of the horses and equipment, etc. in the spring of 1910. ************************* (submitted by Alex Nagy, whose father Louis bought the farm) The land that my father bought from Oliver Millham was the west half of 29, north half of 36, three quarters of 1, and what we called the north farm next to Lukas. The price was around $6000 per quarter and it was sad that it was bought with a closed mortgage because around 1921 to 1925, my dad had the money to pay for it but the payments were yearly with no clause to pay more. When the depression came, the crops were poor and wheat went for 25 cents a bushel, and also there were several hailstorms to make the bad years. Thus, around 1933 payments were behind and Dad let Mr. Millham have the west half of 29 to compensate for the arrears on the other land. After that, Fred Millham acquired the two quarters. Somehow, when the mortgage was due in full, the final payment could not be made and the property reverted back to Mr. Millham. The real fact was that a load of wheat would only buy a barrel of gas and a pound of tobacco.
We did live in the house that was built by Oliver Millham, the yard and buildings were east of where the poultry coop is now. There were twelve buildings in the yard, which included barns, granaries, sheds, etc.
The northeast quarter of 36 was originally owned by Mr. Wrightson where he built a log house and barn. The northwest quarter was owned by Mr. Meder, I think they were Icelanders. This also had a log house. They had been immigrants and got these two quarters as homesteads, but could not take the conditions and the cold so they went back to their home country. That was when Mr. Millham acquired the two quarters. I can remember, as kids, we used to play in the houses which were later torn down. I still admire the craftsmanship that went into the building of the houses—they were all hand hewn with very artistic finishings.
I am not sure of the deal with Fred Millham, but I seem to recollect that Oliver sold it to Fred. It seems to me that there was some connection in the deal with George Millham, who resided in Esterhazy. If I remember right, there was about $15,000 owing of the property when the hard times hit and in those days a dollar was about the same as at least $500 today. ************************* (continued by granddaughter Delcy Myers) When Oliver moved with his wife and children to Alberta in 1914, he settled on a half-section in a scenic coulee in the Poplar Site district, 12-14 miles southwest of Hughenden. He was a determined and ambitious farmer and with the help of his family, he prospered and expanded his holdings. In the summer of 1920, he and Ann and their two youngest children moved to a newly constructed home on another quarter in the western area of Poplar Site. This became know as the home quarter and was always referred to in the days to come as the “nineteen”. When their oldest son Roy married in 1920, the coulee home was where the young couple began their married life. At this time both Roy and Stanley, while still working with and helping their father, were busy building their own businesses and eventually all three sons settled in the district of Poplar site.
Oliver, an active and knowledgeable farmer, continued to be successful. He was a hard worker with intense concentration and expected the same from others. He expected results and, as a rule, he got them. Soon he was running a business that encompassed all facets of farming— several 6 and 8 horse teams and a threshing machine run at first by a steam engine which later evolved into a gasoline powered machine. As did most farmers, he raised cattle, hogs, and poultry.
Oliver was a shrewd businessman with a keen sense of timing. This held him in good stead during the very unstable times in the early years of farming. He seemed to move with his decisions at just the right time and usually managed to make a profit. A neighbor described a time when Oliver joined a group to make up a train-load of cattle to be shipped from Hughenden to Chicago in October 1919. He received a reasonable price for the time (11 cents/pound). One week later, the price of cattle began to drop, the price of feed began to rise and one of the coldest winters set in. Many farmers were quoted as saying they felt they would have been money ahead had they shot all their cattle in the fall of 1919 rather than buy the high priced feed to bring them through the long winter, only to have the beef worth a fraction of its former value the following summer. It seems that the late spring with heavy storms added the final blow to many beef farmers’ hopes at the time.
The year 1931 was a devastating year for the O.C. Millham family. On February 8, 1931 a blazing inferno enveloped the home on “nineteen” and almost everything was destroyed. Oliver was very badly burned and suffered from smoke inhalation in his efforts to control the fire. He spent quite some time in convalescence at the home of his son Stanley. Then on May 2, 1931 Ann Millham died as a result of illness. Her funeral was on May 5, exactly 57 years after her birth.
After the loss of his wife and home, Oliver continued to live on “nineteen” and still ran a full-fledged operation, always alert for new possibilities. He was known for his erect stance and long stride, his shock of glistening white hair, and piercing blue eyes. He was a sociable man and was happy in a crowd but was also comfortable when he was alone. He was often seen standing tall and aloof by himself quietly surveying the scene, a keen observer.
He was fond of reading and he enjoyed music. He was often found alone playing the organ and singing in a rich baritone voice. Traveling became something Oliver enjoyed. He rigged a camper on his truck and set off on many a long trip by himself, and continued this well into his later years. In 1945, he moved and spent his remaining years in Vancouver.
Oliver died on October 15, 1955 and funeral services were held in Hughenden on October 19, the anniversary of his birth. He was 89 years old less 4 days.
OLIVER AND ANN MILLHAM (1866-1955) (1874-1931)
1. Roy Mirls (1892-1988) 2. Stanley Newton (1894-1969) 3. Olive Melinda Alice (1902-1981) 4. Alfred Herbert (1905-1991)
1. Roy—Ivy Wells
Lluvia—Owen Hoover 1. Ronald 3. Gerald 5. Gwen 2. Sylvia 4. linda
Delcy—Leslie Myers 1. Sharilyn 3. Barbara 5. Donald 2. Valerie 4. Kenneth
Jeanne—Ewart Hoover 1. Robert 3. Leonard 5. Shelly 2. David 4. Keith
2. Stanley—Berta Davidson
Patricia—Jack Owen 1. Douglas 3. Terry 2. Daryl 4. Lori
Beverly—Thomas O’Dell 1. Pamela 3. Todd 2. Kimberley
Olive—Ernest Peddicord
1. Stuart
2. Shirley—Don Daily 1. Patricia 3. Mark 2. Douglas 4. Diana
Alfred—Marie Heguy
Herbert—Kathleen Keele 1. Peter 3. Christopher 5. Michael 2. David 4. Robert
Maxine—Edward McConnell 1. Brian ROY MILLHAM Roy Mirls Millham was born November 6, 1892, the eldest son of Oliver and Ann Millham, and spent his early years on his parents’ farm at Hazelcliffe. He enjoyed playing hockey and was goalie for the Qu’Appelle hockey team. He mentioned Lipton's as being one of the main sponsoring companies that made hockey possible in the area at the time. Roy studies and obtained his papers to become a qualified steam engineer.
While his family lived in Vancouver, Roy attended Business College. He was about to look for work in the area of business when his dad bought the farm in Alberta and the family moved there. Roy was 21 years old at the time and found himself very busy helping to run the farm. During the war years, with the shortage of manpower, Roy’s knowledge of the steam engine came to the rescue. They purchased a tractor run by steam which in turn ran the threshing machine. Roy was for many years heavily involved in this activity. Roy and his brother Stanley now had the help of their cousin Alvie Gordon who had come to live with them, and along with their father and younger brother Alfred, developed the farm into a very prosperous establishment.
On December 29, 1920 Roy married Ivy Alice Wells whom he had met the previous spring. He always vowed that it was a case of “love at first sight.” Ivy had been only eight months old when her parents emigrated from England and brought her, her older brother George and her sister Nora to Canada. Ivy’s mother, Selena Crutchely, was one of seven sons and seven daughters born to George and Mary- Anne (Daniels) Crutchely of Cheshire, England. Her father, Daniel Wells, was the son of George and Mary (Setter) Wells of Haslinton, England. The Wells family first settled near Brooks, Alberta before making their home at Strathcona which is now part of Edmonton. Ivy also had a younger brother Frank and two younger sisters, Dorothy and Daisy. Her father went back overseas to fight in World War I and lost his life; the family continued to live at Strathcona.
Roy and Ivy began their married life on Roy’s farm in the coulee in Poplar Site district. Their first home was a log house which, despite its many disadvantages, was the foundation for a happy start to married life. Their greatest asset was their love for each other and the value they placed on hard work.
Their first daughter Lluvia was born in 1922 and their second daughter Delcy arrived in 1925. While Delcy was still a baby they lived in Sedgewick, Alberta, and when she was 8 months old, Roy moved his family to Detroit, U.S.A. where he worked for the Watkins Company. He decided to return to Canada in 1928 and they once more returned to the farm. This time, however, Roy built a new home on level ground, one-half mile north of the coulee and the family settled down to farm life at Hughenden. Their third daughter Jeanne was born in 1930, adding much laughter and happiness to the family’s life.
Roy and Ivy farmed through the “dirty thirties” which were trying times for all of rural Alberta, but they took an active interest in the happenings of the district. Roy belonged to several farm organizations and was a founding member of the Alberta Wheat Pool. The Christmas concert was a highlight of the year in the district when everyone would be in attendance. Santa would always appear at the concert and for several years, just as that magic moment arrived, Roy was nowhere to be seen. Shortly after Santa left, Roy would return with a familiar twinkle in his eye.
Roy and Ivy were involved in the education of their daughters. They boarded the teacher for several years, and Roy was a school trustee and chairman of the school board.
As time passed, the family grew up and their parents bought a farm in the Winterburn district about eight miles west of Edmonton where an extensive and profitable egg route was developed. They spent many hours transforming their farmyard and grounds into a beautiful park-like setting which was admired for miles around. In the seventies, Roy was successful in having his land subdivided into acreages and “Millham Gardens” now stands where the Millham farm was for many years.
In 1974, Roy and Ivy retired in Edmonton where, following the death of their daughter Jeanne, her children moved in and further enriched their lives. In his later years, Roy had time to pursue his many interests which included reading, studying his well-worn Bible, and enjoying his favorite television programs with the aid of an earphone.
Roy died from heart failure on January 15, 1988 at the age of 95 years. Ivy continued to live in their home and carried on with a determination of spirit until her death on August 6, 1990.
LLUVIA (MILLHAM) HOOVER (submitted 1988)
Lluvia Daisy, the eldest daughter of Roy and Ivy Millham, was born January 16, 1922. In the winters, Dad would drive my sister Delcy and me over three miles to the country school and in summer, we drove my pony “Nancy” in a two-wheeled cart. I completed my education at Hughenden High School.
During my youth I enjoyed music lessons and even played a button accordion. I often played for our school dances while a neighbor boy accompanied me with his violin. I enjoyed horseback riding, and singing and dancing immensely.
Following high school, I moved to Edmonton and took a course in McTavish Business College. At graduation, a lovely dance was given for us and I received the College ring. I also took a sewing course in the evenings. I was employed by Pilkinglan Glass as a receptionist.
On August 9, 1944 I married Owen Clark Hoover in a double wedding with my sister Delcy. Owen was from Tofield, Alberta, the son of Adam Clark Hoover and Gladys Helen Owen from Nova Scotia. Owen was in the RCAF and when he was transferred to Vancouver Island in June 1945, I went with him to live in Sydney and was able to work as a civilian typist at the RCAF base at Patricia Bay. When the war ended, we obtained our releases and settled in Edmonton in November 1945.
In 1948, we bought an acreage on the edge of Edmonton and in the following February when our second child was born, Owen had just bought 1000 chicks—I’m afraid he saw them more than he saw us, but we were very happy anyway. Owen had his own trucking business and also worked on the oil rigs.
After our second son was born, our big sandbox was an attraction for all the neighborhood children. We had a beautiful husky dog that Owen would hitch to a wagon or toboggan and take all the children for rides.
In 1954, we sold our acreage and bought a lovely new home, not far away, in the Crestwood district. I can still remember how marvellous it was to have running water and an indoor bathroom! Two more daughters joined our family.
By the later 1950’s my husband was a super “Top” salesman for Sunrise Industries. In 1960, our happiness was interrupted by Owen having a heart attack and being under doctors’ care for the next few years. He was still able to work but at a limited rate. On December 31, 1967 Owen died of heart failure.
After my family was grown up and settled, I joined the work force. I was employed by a newspaper company and began taking ads from the public over the telephone, doing several different office jobs, and was finally promoted to doing paste-up and layout of the “Bargain Finder”, which I have been doing for the past six years. I retired in 1987 and the company gave me a lovely party at which my family was present. I am, however, still working part time, doing only layout of the paper and am enjoying it exceedingly.
During these last years, I’ve done a lot of traveling. I have my “craft” evenings with the neighbors and especially enjoy taking my mother shopping each week and having supper together. I will close by saying that with the loving support and companionship of my family, I am very proud and contented.
Ronald Hoover
Ronald Roy, the first son of Lluvia and Owen Hoover, was born September 16, 1946. My early years were spend in a close-knit family atmosphere which has continued through the years, mainly because my family are also my friends. My family, my fondest teachers, taught me honesty, patience, calmness and the value of hard work. My mother is still teaching me life skills such as persistence in reaching a goal and the management of money. She can still do more with the change from a dollar than I can do with several dollars. I seem to have acquired a mechanical ability to build or repair almost anything. My enjoyment of camping and boating is strong as are the memories of those activities with my parents in my youth. In fact, I have a camperized bus as did my father years ago.
I attended Crestwood School in Edmonton and completed high school at Ross Sheppard in 1964. I graduated from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology as a draftsman in 1967, which enabled me to join Stelco Steel of Edmonton. My career involved design and project co- ordination in all aspects of making steel through the phases of scrap metal, molten steel, to finished product. During my first twenty years at Stelco, I was also a taxi owner/driver with Barrel Cab. I designed and built entrepreneurial pursuits.
In 1967 I married Anita Carol Arundel and we had a daughter. We faced rocky times which we were unable to handle because of our youth and we parted. The woman of my life today and for the last seventeen years is Margaret Morgan of Unity Saskatchewan. She is active in her career as a mental health counselor with the Alberta Government Mental Health Services, and in the pursuit of physical fitness through aerobics, yoga and running. My life is rich because of her humor, her quest for knowledge, and her paycheck. We have a son who is a constant reminder of my own youth.
I am still employed by Stelco Steel and manage the maintenance of the Rolling Mill, which produces 260,000 tons of steel per year. My family background has carried over into my work. With millwrights, electricians, welders and machinists in my department, we have the ability to build or repair anything. I consider those I work with as my friends and I attempt to carry on the teaching of honesty, patience, calmness and hard work.
Diana Dawn, daughter of Ronald and Anita Hoover, was born in Edmonton on December 12, 1967. My childhood memories begin in Hinton, Alberta where I moved with my mother and stepfather, Larry Dean Meck, when I was just past the age of two. I remember sitting on the front steps of our house, suitcase in hand, waiting for my father to pick me up for another wonderful summer holiday. Later, after moving back to Edmonton, Dad picked me up with the bus while I hid my face, thinking my friends wouldn’t see me getting into the old 1949 camperized army bus that my father considers his pride and joy! Off we would go to central British Columbia, towing the motorboat, for a summer of fun where we enjoyed boating, water skiing, swimming, hiking and baking our bodies in the sun. This summer of 1988 we will all be piling into the bus again.
I finished my schooling at Ross-Sheppard High School where I received my diploma in 1986. I have now completed some upgrading courses at Alberta College. I enjoy music, singing, biking, and of course, my pride and joy—my own car.
Stuart Michael, son of Ronald and Margaret Hoover, was born September 14, 1971. I am in grade eleven and although I’ve not had much life yet to write about, my accomplishments, inspirations and interests will always be important to me. My late great grandfather was a very definite inspiration to what I believe in—his simple happiness and determined efforts set a standard that I try very hard to follow. I will always remember him as a great example of what it means to be a man. My father showing me what can be accomplished through hard work and determined effort has helped me in being all that I can be.
My most important achievement to date was recently surviving a one-month exchange in Quebec, enveloped completely in an environment of French. I feel I have grown from the experience and remember it with pleasure. My interests include gymnastics, running, reading, cycling, skiing, boating, fishing and overcoming the mysteries of computers. I have many friends from all walks of life and enjoy the benefits of knowing people from many cultures without having to travel to do so. I do enjoy traveling however and have been to several States, Mexico, B.C. and Saskatchewan with my family. Silvia (Hoover) Young
Sylvia Gladys, the eldest daughter of Lluvia and Owen Hoover, was born February 8, 1949 in Edmonton. I was educated in Edmonton and completed high school at Ross Sheppard where I received many typing and shorthand awards. I babysat constantly to pay for my much loved music lessons on accordion and began student teaching this instrument at the age of 16 for the Glenora School of Music. In my teens I belonged to CGIT, taught Sunday School, and represented St. Andrew’s United Church at Camp Councils.
In 1966, I was employed by the provincial government’s Department of Mines & Minerals where I worked for eight years while continuing to teach music at Glenora and take in students at home. I organized numerous concerts for children and played at many charity functions.
On July 12, 1969 I married Kenneth Genard Young, only child of Wilber Kenneth Young and Eva Hawreyluk of Ardmore, Alberta. Ken used to work with my dad doing carpentry or mechanics in the Hoover garage.
In 1970 we moved to Millham Gardens and lived for two years in a homesteader’s cabin while we constructed a garage (which was to become our temporary home for six years) on our four-acre parcel of land. I quit work in 1974 but continued to teach music in Spruce Grove. Ten busy years passed as I served on playschool and kindergarten executives and did volunteer work at the elementary school our three daughters attended, while helping Ken build our permanent home.
In 1984 I once again joined the work force when I obtained employment with Jack and Jill Co. Ltd. I still work for this children’s wear retail store where I do the payroll, bookkeeping and inventory control. Ken is an ironworker by trade and has the ability to repair, construct or manufacture anything needed (or not needed).
From my dad I gained a sense of humor and a certain drive that keeps me going, and from my mom I have learned faith, patience and warmth. I have set goals for myself and have worked hard to attain them with the knowledge that what is worked for is truly cherished and well worth the effort. We love acreage living where it is peaceful and private as well as beautiful. I love my work, my collection of friends, my home and yard, my daughters, and most of all, my husband and best friend who has lived with four teasing, giggly and sometimes squabbly females and has taken it all with a grin and a shake of his head!
Pamela Susan, the eldest daughter of Sylvia and Ken Young, was born April 4, 1973 in Edmonton. She took tap dancing lessons from age four to six, when piano lessons began (and continue). She has received honors in Royal Conservatory exams and also plays accordion and clarinet. She attends St. Andrew’s United Church in Spruce Grove and belongs to CGIT where she has put her musical ability to use.
During her elementary education at Queen Street School in Spruce Grove and Junior High at Broxton Park, Pam received Merit Awards for academic and personal performance. She excels in business related programs and recently won a typing contest, bettering even the instructor in speed and accuracy.
Tania Lynn, the second daughter of Sylvia and Ken Young, was born in Edmonton on February 26, 1975. She took tap and ballet lessons prior to beginning piano lessons at age six. She has received honors in Royal Conservatory exams and likes to sing, accompanied by Pam on piano. Tania loves skiing, is an excellent swimmer and has won sportsmanship awards in track and field. At school, she is active in the Operetta and has sung and danced with that group at the Horizon Theater in Spruce Grove. She attends St. Andrew’s United Church, belongs to CGIT and has participated in several music productions.
Amber Gwen, the third daughter of Sylvia and Ken Young, was born in Edmonton on March 13, 1976. As a child, she was able to amuse herself—her favorite pastime was to empty the lazy susan of all canned goods! Dance lessons began at age three followed by piano where she, too, has received honors on Royal Conservatory exams.
Amber has a multitude of friends, and is active in soccer, baseball, swimming and skiing. She enjoys reading mysteries and writing stories and poems. She is energetic, vibrant and enthusiastic—and never, never quiet. Amber loves dogs, cats and horses, and has spent many happy hours with her dog Sparky who follows her everywhere. Gerald Hoover Gerald Owen, the third child of Lluvia and Owen Hoover, was born in Edmonton on August 9, 1951. Gerald attended school in Edmonton, spending some time at his grandparents’ farm on weekends. I’m sure he still recalls when he had to cut the heads off chickens! It is an event to laugh about now, but he was horrified at the time. He attended Sunday School, belonged to the sea cadets, and as a Cub or Scout, attended summer camps.
Gerald took some music lessons in accordion and guitar, and enjoyed reading western novels. His main hobby was repairing cards and engines, which he learned by working with his dad. His natural ability lay in fixing small appliances—radios, etc. Gerald worked on construction and was employed by Stelco Steel Company of Canada operating a huge crane.
On August 30, 1975 Gerald married Donna Dieno whom he had met while on holiday in Oliver, B.C. Donna is the daughter of Ernest Ralph Dieno (born in Young, Sask.) and Bernice Elizabeth Roberts (from Vancouver Island). In 1976 Gerald and Donna moved to Oliver where they built a home, and Gerald worked on construction of homes and swimming pools. After suffering a back problem, he took an apprenticeship as a Carbide Saw Maker and Filer at Western Saws in Penticton. He has been with them since 1979 and is now their production superintendent. Donna has been employed by Osoyoos Credit Union for ten years. They have a daughter. Gerry is active in the South Okanagan Chapter of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship. Both are active in their church, enjoy camping, fishing, crafts, hobbies and travel.
Breanne Elizabeth, daughter of Gerald and Donna Hoover, was born in Penticton, B.C. on October 31, 1988.
Linda (Hoover) D’Ilio
Linda Lluvia, the fourth child of Lluvia and Owen Hoover, was born April 21, 1956. I remember the holidays in the bus with my family and the thrill of Dad taking Gwen and me up to our necks in lake water. Much time was spent playing house in our big sandbox with Gwen, and the two of us begging Gerald to be the “dad”—sometimes he even would! I was educated at Jasper Place Composite School in Edmonton, getting my diploma as well as business courses and then off to work as a secretary.
In 1977 I married Douglas Edward Spooner and in 1980, gave birth to a three and a half pound baby boy who arrived three months prematurely. During the next few difficult months, Doug and I divorced and my time was consumed caring for my tiny baby, Rory, in the intensive care unit. In 1982, I returned to work part-time at Genstar Cement Ltd., and my sisters graciously offered their homes to my son and me where we stayed until I could find a home of our own.
In 1984, I married Rocco Jimmy D’Ilio, the only child of Rocco Felemino D’Ilio and Micheline Confortati, whom I met at Genstar Cement. Rocco was born in Montreal, Quebec, has resided in Edmonton for 10 years, and is Controller for the Triple Five Corporation. He is my source of inspiration and support, and is truly the love of my life. We both enjoy reading, skiing, and the never-ending battle of fit versus fat, mainly through running. In 1986, we gained custody of Rocco’s daughter Adrianna Rene, born March 18, 1977, a delightful, bubbly addition to our family and a much adored big sister for Rory.
I am kept busy with our school resource program, and various community league projects along with the delights of Girl Guides and Boys Scouts leadership. Of late, Rocco has been teaching me the operation of computers which I have been able to utilize working at home. In my spare time, I sew for my family, play piano, and drive Rocco nuts with my “little” projects, ie. painting and redecorating the house—projects I start at 10 p.m.
Rory Clarke, son of Linda and Douglas Spooner, was born September 15, 1980 in Edmonton. Born prematurely, he encountered numerous respiratory problems but was released from hospital in two months, weight four pounds, twelve ounces. In 1984, when his mom remarried, Rory was happy to have Rocco be “our dad”, and has established a father/son relationship with him. Rory was delighted when, at the age of five, he acquired an older stepsister. She likes to share with Rory the benefit of her experience while he likes to show her how wrong she is! Like all boys, Rory loves climbing trees, capturing caterpillars, riding his bike and teasing his cat. He enjoys baseball and makes sure his sister knows that he’s clean-up batter on his team. His real love is skiing—Mom and Dad can no longer keep up to him on the slopes and he not so quietly tries to give Adrianna helpful hints. Rory has completed his first year of ski racing and will be skiing on the Nancy Greene ski team at Snow Valley next winter.
Gwen (Hoover) Pacholik
Gwen Delcy, the youngest child of Lluvia and Owen Hoover, was born in Edmonton on May 25, 1957. My early memories take me back to my grandparents’ farm at Winterburn where, along with my sister Linda and brother Gerald, we kept the gopher population down by trapping and clubbing them. On more than one occasion, we would kill these rodents, then sit down and eat our packed lunch. I have lived all my life in Edmonton where I took my schooling. Upon leaving high school, I took a post-secondary course in business reception, and after graduating from NAIT, I took employment with a local petroleum distributor as receptionist/secretary.
On July 1, 1978 in Edmonton, I married Joe Pacholik, son of Stan and Elinor Pacholik who farm at Rose Valley, Sask. Joe and I have two children and reside in St. Albert, Alberta where we operate our own business—4-way Petroleum Service Ltd., covering the maintenance of service stations and bulk plant equipment in Northern Alberta. Besides running the business office, household duties, and keeping up with our ever-active children, I am starting to get my own business off the ground, doing one of my favorite hobbies, ceramics. I also enjoy reading, hiking, and cycling.
Angie Lee, daughter of Gwen and Joe Pacholik, was born in Edmonton on March 25, 1976. At age four, she began ballet lessons and branched into tap dance. At a later date, she tried her skills at soccer and baseball. After earning her green badge in the Red Cross program, Angie is now involved in competitive swimming; her goal is to receive her instructor’s diploma. She has completed the Brownie and Guide programs and will begin Pathfinders in September, 1988. Her elementary education was taken at Sir Alexander MacKenzie School in St. Albert and will continue at Lorne Akins Junior High. Angie enjoys ceramics, baseball, hiking, bike riding and the company of her friends; she has a real love for swimming and downhill skiing. Chad Owen, son of Gwen and Joe Pacholik, was born April 20, 1980 in Edmonton. At age four, he enrolled in gymnastics and power skating, and later joined a soccer team. Now he believes he is playing the best game yet—baseball. Chad likes to be outdoors, and enjoys going to work with his dad where he has his own “mini office”, working on pipes and gas pump repairs. He has shown a real interest in working with tools. He will be entering grade three at Sir Alexander MacKenzie in 1988-89 and is a happy child who is content to play by himself or with his friends.
DELCY (MILLHAM) MYERS (submitted 1988)
Delcy Loy, the second daughter of Roy and Ivy Millham, was born March 6, 1925 in Edmonton. I have some very distinct early memories of my aunts and uncles. When I was about three or four years old, I was to be the flower girl at Uncle Alf’s wedding. I remember weeping uncontrollably and stating emphatically that “I was going to marry Uncle Alf and now SHE’S gone and done it!” Uncle Alf and Aunt Marie presented me with a beautiful silk purse in spite of the fact that I had refused to perform my duties. I also remember, while watching Aunt Olive and my mother performing grooming rituals before a large vanity table, Aunt Olive remarking that I would be doing the same thing when I grew up to be a “nice lady”. I indignantly informed her that I didn’t want to be a nice lady—I wanted to be “just like my mom!” I was puzzled when my mother and aunt dissolved into torrents of laughter.
We each had our favorite radio programs—mine was “Hockey Night in Canada” with Foster Hewitt. I became an ardent fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs who I have since demoted to second place after the Edmonton Oilers. Music was a part of our lives—we learned to dance, sing, and play the piano and accordion. Many times, our family gathered around the radio to listen to Jimmy Gowler’s Old Time Band.
I attended a one-room school where Aunt Berta was my first teacher. During the cold winter months, Dad drove us with a team of horses and sleigh, and in summer, we drove ourselves the 2 ½ miles in a horse-drawn two-wheel cart. I attended Hughenden High School for a year and the next year, went to my favorite place, Edmonton, where I graduated from Victoria High School in 1942. I attended Normal School in Edmonton (1942-43) and because of the shortage of teachers due to the war, I was sent straight to work at Wisla School sixty miles north of Edmonton instead of practice teaching. My first real contract was in 1943-44 at Douglas School, forty miles east of Edmonton (where I met my husband.)
On August 9, 1944, in Hughenden United church, I married Leslie Valentine Myers, son of Albert and Augusta Myers of Arvilla, Alberta, in a double wedding with my sister Lluvia and Owen Hoover. Leslie rented the R.Y. Secord farm at Winterburn and established a dairy business while I taught for one more year—at Oliver School on the outskirts of Edmonton. Our first daughter was born while we lived at Winterburn. By the fall of 1948, Leslie’s business had become successful enough that we were able to buy our own farm in the Bremner district, 3 ½ miles south of present-day Fort Saskatchewan. The dairy thrived under my husband’s care and soon it was one of the largest in the country. Les became indispensable to the whole operation; this limited our involvement in many other interests and our holidays were very few.
Our family increased to include two more daughters and two sons—they became the most important thing in our lives and the richness they brought can never be explained. Les, true to form, surprised me by deciding to foster our children’s interest in music and bought a beautiful upright piano. All five children became serious students of music and accumulated several awards and scholarships as well as attending numerous performances, recitals, orchestra and band concerts, music trips, and such. We accumulated a variety of instruments as each of our children played several as well as sang—they each had solo work but belonged to orchestras, bands, choirs and ensembles, and were annual competitors in festivals. Besides the vast amount of chauffeuring required, I became deeply involved with the Fort Saskatchewan Festival Association, having served as treasurer, president, and delegate to the Provincial Festival Association.
On Christmas Day, 1977, my family and I were stunned by Leslie’s death due to a heart attack. This very unusual man, who did everything in his own unique way, was born on Valentine’s day, died on Christmas day, and left an empty space in our lives. Following a huge auction sale, I knew where my next home would be— Edmonton.
Shari (Myers) McCoy
Sharilyn Jeanne, the eldest daughter of Delcy and Leslie Myers, was born January 29, 1947. When I was five years old, I started school at Fort Saskatchewan and continued there until graduation in 1965. After overcoming my shyness as I neared high school, I became a cheerleader, member of numerous clubs, and was even “Snow Queen ‘65” (my dad sold a lot of tickets!) I started piano lessons when I was 7 or 8 years old and later studied violin, music history and harmony, and spent a couple of summers at the Banff School of Fine Arts. A highlight was winning a Silver Medal for the highest mark in Alberta in the grade ten Royal Conservatory piano exam.
While in high school, I started taking music students and could make as much money in a couple hours as my friends could by working all day in the local grocery store. In my second year at the University of Alberta, I switched to the Bachelor of Music program, majoring in piano. I continued to teach and for a couple of years, directed the choirs and played the organ at the Fort Saskatchewan United church. After graduating with my Bachelor of Music (B Mus) and Associate of Music (A Mus), I took a year of Education to become a school teacher.
On August 20, 1971 I married Kenneth Edward McCoy, the son of Lawrence Joseph and Eva (Brownie) McCoy of Edmonton. We lived in an apartment in Edmonton while Ken completed his last year of Bachelor of Commerce and I taught music and drama at St. Francis Xavier High School. After graduation, Ken began working with Melton Real Estate (now Royal LePage). We bought our first home, a three-bedroom bungalow, in St. Albert just before the first of our four children was born. With young children at home, I retired from school teaching and also put piano on hold. I became a bridge player, bowler, golfer (of sorts), and craftsperson. Being very interested in weaving, I was chairman of the St. Albert Weavers’ Guild for a time.
In 1981, we bought a larger house in Edmonton and became really involved in community and school groups—I found out what happens to those “mothers that don’t work”. I served as secretary for Parent Advisory Committees; undertook the organization of and acted as emcee for the Official Opening of Our Lady of the Prairies School and was chairman of the Parent Group the following year; was secretary for Westridge-Wolf Willow Community League; and even volunteered as soccer coach for the 4-8 year olds. I have been a crafts mom, bingo worker, costume maker, ticket maker, and ticket seller.
Ken has continued to work with Royal LePage and over the years has held several positions. He has become involved with coaching hockey and ringette, and community league work. Ken taught me to ski and also about “the lake”—water skiing and lake life had been totally foreign to me. I have now been fully initiated and we enjoy our cottage at Seba Beach. He taught me about hockey—I love it, and he tried to teach me about football—I hate it. Now the six of us are starting to learn about camping; the jury is still out on that one!
As our youngest child approached school age, I began to burn out from so much volunteer work and car pooling, and yearned to get back to music. I advertised for a couple of students and took six the first year—fearing what would happen to my family while I did so. Surprise! They survived and so did I. My teachers had taught me about music but my kids and their friends taught me about teaching. I am delighted with the result and anticipate many happy and successful years doing what I enjoy and getting paid for it! So this is where I am right now—mother of four, wife of one, teacher of thirty, friend to many, and relative of everyone in this book. [In 1990, Shari returned to full-time teaching at her same school and will only teach a couple of students privately.]
Bradley John, the eldest child of Shari and Ken McCoy, was born December 30, 1973 in Edmonton, and lived his first six years in St. Albert. Upon moving to Edmonton, he entered grade two at Our Lady of Victories School and also began piano lessons, hockey, and soccer at which he became very skilful. Athletics in general became Brad’s forte; he took up racquetball, skiing, swimming, golf, baseball and water skiing—for a time he held the unofficial record for youngest barefoot waterskier on Seba beach (age 8). Now in grade nine at St. Rose Junior High, Brad plays Double A hockey, baseball and is a Larry Bird protégé on the basketball courts, and much to his parents’ relief, has become more interested in academic endeavors. With his future plans including music, sports, a full academic load plus options, I think he should take a course in time management!
Jay Scott, the second son of Shari and Ken McCoy, was born February 22, 1976—the day Joe Clark was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Upon moving to Edmonton at the age of four, Jay began his educational life by enrolling in playschool and piano lessons. As did his brother, he tried all sorts of sports, but his approach is very different. Jay is a laid-back kid—he gives his all, but never seems excited when it’s over. Win or lose, you’d never know by his face.
He has been a joiner—whatever club is formed, Jay signs up. He has been runner-up for the chess club prize; had major parts in drama productions; was intramural captain and member of the running club. Jay plans to attend St. Rose Junior High next year and continue with sports; I feel c ertain he will join whatever clubs there are as well.
Jaclyn Rae, the third child of Shari and Ken McCoy, was born December 19, 1977, just one week before her Grandpa Myers died. She knows her grandpa saw her and said that she was a pretty little thing. (Newborn babies are usually scrawny, ugly things in his eyes.) Jackie started Suzuki piano lessons at the age of four and at seven, began taking lessons from her mom. She is very good—received a mark of 90% on her grade one Royal Conservatory exam. Like her brothers, Jackie is very athletic, and is a good soccer and ringette player. She is a Girl Guide, takes dancing, ballet and jazz, and does well in school.
Kristy Lyn, the youngest child of Shari and Ken McCoy, was born February 10, 1981. She attends our Lady of Victories School and takes piano lessons from her mom. She won a red ribbon for her first place in the Community Talent Show for six-year-old piano. Kristy has learned to ski, swim, skate, and play soccer, and joined Brownies.
Valerie (Myers) Hetherington
Valerie Gail, the second daughter of Delcy and Leslie Myers, was born August 19, 1950 in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. Living in a family of five children, with parents whose primary concern was the upbringing of their offspring, my siblings and I never wanted for anything; we received far more materially, intellectually and emotionally than any other children in the district. My father enjoyed creating and building, and never once built anything that wasn’t the biggest and best of its kind for miles around—we had a playground, the likes of which most towns never possessed, and later our mother had a floodlit fishpond and fountain which became a local attraction.
In music, I was considered special because my main talent lay with playing the violin. While in grade 3, I won my first scholarship ($50 cheque and certificate) and began to dream of a future as a concert violinist or symphony orchestra conductor. Countless hours of practice resulted in my winning many scholarships and awards, including Silver Medal for Alberta in grade 7 Violin (Royal Conservatory); Best Senior Violinist in Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival three consecutive years; Best String Player in Alberta Provincial Festival (1967). I also attended numerous music camps, the highlight being in 1968 at Meadowmount School of Music in New York. From being a MINOR celebrity in Alberta, I became a mere drop in an expansive sea of musicians and realized the world of concert violinists extended far beyond what I was willing to give up, so I altered my dreams. I enrolled in the University of Alberta, Bachelor of Music program but completed only one year prior to my marriage.
The following summer I married Richard Rae Parker, son of Alice and Walter Richardson Parker of Dewberry, Alberta. During the three years of my first marriage, I had two daughters, the pride and joy of my entire being. Following the breakup of my marriage, I enrolled again at the U of A in the Faculty of Education, majoring in Music. Being a single mother, full-time student and breadwinner left little time for sleep. (I depended on public transpo rtation for traveling to classes and I suspect, a little shut-eye on the way!)
On August 7, 1976 I married William Ray Hetherington (son of Elsie Jean Murray and Donald William Hetherington) whom I had met two years previously at university. My daughters, who were immediately adopted by Bill, were flower girls. I received my first teaching contract with the Edmonton Public School Board while Bill finished his last year of university. I am now in my eleventh year of teaching, and each year keeps getting better and better. At present, in Mayfield Elementary School, I teach grade 6, all music classes, and am librarian and principal-designate in addition to involvement in numerous extra-curricular activities with students.
Bill and I have provided the opportunities for our girls to have a multitude of experiences—Brownies, several sports, modeling, Sunday School, and music lessons—and have bought them the best equipment, coached and sat on boards of directors. Over the past five years, I have taken a keen interest in fitness and nutrition, and especially enjoy track and field athletics. I am involved with Weight Watchers International, addicted to aerobic dancing, and have become a fitness fanatic (I “work out” at Club Fit) and running enthusiast—Bill and I enter many road races in the area. I have learned that there is no limit to the number of things once can see, do, learn or participate in. Life is wonderful and I love being alive. [In 1990, Valerie accepted a new position—Junior High Language Arts— saying it was time for a change.]
Shauna Loy Hetherington, the first daughter of Valerie and Richard Parker, was born January 1, 1971 in Edmonton. She was the apple of her Grandpa Myers’ eye, and remained on the farm with her grandparents for a year following the break-up of her parents’ marriage. Through the years, Shauna was enrolled in figure skating, ballet, jazz, and violin lessons, but found she preferred sports. She excelled in soccer and advanced quickly to play on several championship teams throughout her school years and is now coaching a PeeWee girls’ team.
Shauna maintained a near-honors average in school, competed successfully in track and field, and won medals in Artistic Roller Skating (solo dance). She did some fashion modeling for various agencies and was chosen as one of 20 semi-finalists for the Edmonton-Tokyo Model Search (out of 240 girls). Shauna is now completing grade 12, works part-time at the Bay, and has recently developed an interest in traveling. [In 1990, Shauna began college at Mount Royal, Calgary.]
Tracy Lee Hetherington, the second daughter of a second daughter (Valerie Myers) of a second daughter (Delcy Millham) of a second daughter (Ivy Wells), was born August 30, 1972. Following her parents’ break-up, Tracy moved with her mother to Edmonton and began attending daycare centers at the age of one year. An image that will remain forever in the mind of her mother is the picture of Tracy leaving on the daycare center’s private bus, lunch kit in one hand and diaper bag in the other.
Besides attaining high marks in school (without studying), Tracy participated in Brownies, ballet, jazz, T-ball and soccer. At the age of seven, she was scouted by John Casablancas Modelling Agency in Edmonton and in the following years, modeled, appeared in fashion shows and made commercials. She began studying music in elementary school and continues with flute and piano, both in school and for her own enjoyment. Tracy took up artistic roller skating while in grade 6 and amazed the roller skating world by winning three provincial gold medals; she continued to be at the top of her age category for the remainder of her roller skating days. She is now in grade 10 at Strathcona Composite High and a member of the Scona Lords cheerleading team which qualified for the world championships in Chicago, Illinois later in 1988. Barbara (Myers) Hauk Barbara Anne Ivy, the third daughter of Delcy and Leslie Myers, was born December 17, 1952. My formal education began when I was 5 years old—during the last week of June, children who would start school in the fall were expected to attend for one week of orientation. I complied for one day and announced to the teacher that I would not be back the following morning. Being strong-willed like my father, I was adamant in my stance and my parents complied with my wishes. Come September, however, I was sent off to grade one literally kicking and screaming all the way. I was a bright student who received good marks with no effort and only now as a teacher, do I realize I could have achieved even better with just a little work. While in elementary school, I was a member of the Fort Saskatchewan Swim Team and took figure skating, and in high school I was on the basketball and volleyball teams and joined the cheerleaders. The majority of my spare time however was spent in the study of music. I received lessons in piano and organ, and later the violin and taught myself to play the guitar. Although I entered and won some voice competitions with my brother Donald, the piano was my main area of study. I won several awards and scholarships, among them the highest mark in the province for grade 2 piano in 1961, and the ACT Search for Talent contest in 1968.
After graduating from Fort Saskatchewan High School in 1970, I moved to Edmonton and enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program (majoring in Spanish and Music) at the University of Alberta. I received my degree in 1973 and enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program, majoring in Piano Performance. However, by this time I had met David Hauk and was reluctant to spend the solitary hours of practice required of B. Mus. Students.
On August 31, 1974 I married David Bruce Hauk, the eldest son of Joe and Regina Hauk of Wetaskewin, Alberta. We had met while David was a Bachelor of Physical Education student at the University of Calgary. He then received his teaching certificate in Edmonton prior to accepting his first position at St. Stephen’s School in Calgary. Following our marriage, I enrolled in Education at the U. of Calgary to obtain my teacher’s certificate and was offered employment as a music specialist with the Calgary Board of Education, where I have been employed ever since. By taking night and summer classes, I earned my Bachelor of Education Degree in 1981. David obtained his Master of Arts Degree in 1979 at the University of Gonzaga.
Our first home was in the Ogden district of Calgary and a year later, we bought a new home in Canyon Meadows. Viewing show homes was a weakness for us and we bought two more homes, one in Okotoks, Alberta and our present home in the Sundance district of Calgary. Having diagnosed our penchant for new homes, we now view them only when our bank manager is on vacation. Although we do plan to move once more, we hope to wait until our children have outgrown the demolition years.
Throughout my 13 years with the Calgary Board of Education, I began as a music teacher and have gradually become interested in affective education. This led to involvement with Curriculum Development. As a member of the Calgary Board of Education Family Life & Sex Education Curriculum writing team, we developed the Family Life Program which is currently being taught across Canada and the United States, and as far abroad as Australia. I was also involved, as a writer, for our new Health Programme and in 1987, was appointed Curriculum Leader at Southwood Elementary School, my first administrative position. My husband has continued his teaching career and is presently the assistant headmaster of Rundle College, a Junior-Senior High School in the private sector.
Our lives are very busy and full from September to June as we pursue our individual careers and the activities of our three children. We are involved as parent volunteers, coaching hockey and baseball, sewing choir gowns, baking, driving for field trips, etc. Our summers are a time of relaxation, an opportunity to visit with family and friends, and pursue our own interests and hobbies. For myself, that includes reading, cooking, baking, running, photography, and of course, sleeping. We want to expose our children to a wide variety of opportunities and are confident they will learn from each new experience. Perhaps it is this confidence and the ability to learn which is the Millham legacy for my children. [In 1990, Barbara and family moved into a new home.]
Nicholas Donald, the eldest child of Barbara and David Hauk, was born March 8, 1979. Being the firstborn son of two teachers and being a naturally precocious child, he became a quick learner and appears destined to excel—by the time he entered kindergarten, he was reading at the third grade level. Music, however, combined with an exceptional memory, is where Nicholas has excelled. He takes piano lessons from his mother, and his singing ability (both solo and in choirs) has won him numerous awards. He sang at the baptisms of his younger siblings. He also plays hockey, swims and plays baseball. When Nicholas grows up, he plans to go to university and then became a singer and hockey player. More specifically, he would like to sing Oh Canada at an NHL game, then win the opening face-off for his team. Oh yes, one other thing I forgot to mention—Nicholas dreams big!
Joshua David, the second son of Barbara and David Hauk, was born December 30, 1981. Although very small for his age, Joshua inherited his mother’s temper and his Grandpa Myers’ tenacity, and is well able to defend himself from the neighborhood bullies. His quickness and agility are matched only by his innate sense of mischief, however. He is extremely imaginative and creative and will make toys out of rocks, macaroni, or whatever. His two qualities for success are a stubbornness and sense of humor which he uses to change work to fun.
Amanda Delcy, the youngest child of Barbara and David Hauk, was born February 6, 1984. Growing up with two older brothers, Amanda prefers to play with boys and has developed a toughness which should serve her well. She is exceptionally close to Joshua who has become her “protector”. Amanda is an avid swimmer and, like Nicholas, enjoys music. Despite her somewhat boyish interests, Amanda does have some feminine characteristics—she loves clothes and changes at least seven times a day!
Kenneth Myers
Kenneth Leslie, the fourth child of Delcy and Leslie Myers, was born January 4, 1956 in Edmonton. He attended school at Fort Saskatchewan and much of his free time was spent helping his father on the dairy farm. As a youngster, Ken was a student of piano, violin, voice, and eventually drums. He competed in many music festivals and in high school, started alto saxophone. He joined the high school band and in 1974, on a European tour, was a featured soloist. While in Europe, he took part in an international festival at Teeside (near Edinburgh) and competed in the open instrumental solo class where he place among the highest contenders with a mark of 93%.
Later that year, Ken enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Over the next few years, he played music professionally and taught private lessons at Alberta College. He also taught at Red Deer College and led the stage band there. In 1979, he spent the summer in Boston studying saxophone, flute and theory. Ken graduated in 1980 with his Bachelor of Education Degree with a major in Music.
On August 27, 1977 Ken married Robyn Galloway, the daughter of Roy and Aggie Galloway who lived on a neighboring farm. Ken and Robyn had grown up together and realized during the band tour of Europe that they were more than just pals! They were married while attending university. Robyn is a teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board; they live in Edmonton with their two sons.
Ken resumed private teaching and performing. Over the years, he has made recordings for local and national radio and television and has appeared at Jazz Festivals in Edmonton, Ottawa and Saskatoon, and at jazz and nightclubs throughout Western Canada. He has become well versed in all aspects of the music business and is a well known professional musician.
In the fall of 1986, he joined the staff of the Edmonton Public School Board as a music and drama teacher at Stratford Junior High. He was also an instructor for the Grant McEwan College Outreach Program. In 1989, Ken returned to the U. of A. to obtain his Masters Degree in Music. He continues to play professionally and leads his own band “Double Tenor Madness”. He is kept very busy juggling teaching, music, and family life.
Steven Leslie, son of Ken and Robyn Myers, was born November 14, 1985. He spends his days at daycare and has already made his musical debut—at the Daycare Christmas Concert.
Evan Roy, the second son of Ken and Robyn Myers, was born February 27, 1988 in Edmonton. He appeared with his parents on television when he was only two days old—being a leap year baby (and a Millham) is considered newsworthy!
Donald Myers
Donald Dean, the youngest child of Delcy and Les Myers, was born in Edmonton on June 21, 1960. Being the younger son, I was spared the gruel and grind of farm work—my brother Ken was the one awakened before sunrise to experience the niceties of dairy life. The idea of being a gentleman farmer appeals to me greatly.
I spent a great deal of time taking exams and competing in the Edmonton Kiwanis and Fort Saskatchewan Music Festivals in singing and piano, and I received several awards. As I entered Junior High, I began to study flute which became my main instrument. By the time my study of the flute ceased, I had obtained my grade 9 diploma, had won several awards, and had been a member of many local and provincial ensembles, bands and orchestras. I was a member of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra and was able to work with many of the best flautists and conductors in Canada. One of the highlights came in 1978 when we attended the National Youth Orchestra Festival in Banff, Alberta.
I graduated from Fort Saskatchewan High School in 1978 and, because of my father’s recent death, delayed my university entrance by a year to enter the working world. The life of a stock boy was not for me. In that year, I also worked as a psychiatric aide at the Alberta Hospital in Edmonton and continued to work there for another five summers to put myself through university. Unique experiences are encountered when one works in such an institution. I have been made a “General in the Anti-Vampire Army” and once St. Peter himself told me that he would put me in a high position of authority when my time comes. Through my university years, I also worked as a waiter and as an historical interpreter at Fort Edmonton Park.
I received my Bachelor of Elementary Education specializing in Music from the University of Alberta in May 1985, and my Early Childhood Diploma in 1987. I am currently working toward my Graduate Diploma in Education and June 1988 will mark the end of my third year with the Edmonton Public School Board where I am a music teacher at Westbrook Elementary School and part-time substitute teacher.
For relaxation, I like to “putz” around, read, garden and sing. I hope to do a lot more traveling in the future. As a member of the Greenwood Singers, I get plenty of opportunity to sing; traditionally we put on two concerts a year at All Saints Cathedral, and perform with the Edmonton Symphony. [As of 1989, Ken has a permanent contract at Northmount Elementary teaching grade 4 and Music.]
JEANNE (MILLHAM) HOOVER (submitted 1988)
Jeanne Ivy, the youngest daughter of Roy and Ivy Millham, was born September 20, 1930. She was a clever student, an avid reader and a diligent worker. Her vocal talents soon became apparent and she took part in many musical activities, an interest which was to continue throughout her life. After her sisters left home, Jeanne pursued more of her individual interests—her artistic talents emerged, she developed a liking for horseback riding and was able to take piano lessons. She later took piano and vocal training at Alberta College in Edmonton and worked for some time at Woodwards Store.
On February 28, 1951 Jeanne married Ewart Vivian Hoover, the son of Adam and Gladys Hoover of Tofield, Alberta. Ewart was employed by Shirley Brothers of Edmonton, so they settled in Edmonton where their first two sons were born. The job necessitated a move to Uranium City, Sask. where they remained for a couple of years before settling on an acreage at Ardrossan, just east of Edmonton. They built a home while Ewart was employed with the same company at Twin Bridges Sand and Gravel in Clover Bar, Alberta. Two more sons and a daughter joined their family.
Jeanne and Ewart were very active as a couple in community affairs. They belonged to the Independent Order of Foresters and were eager members of the Lamplighters Square Dance Club. Jeanne sang in the church choir, served as a Girl Guide leader, and was involved as a tireless worker on many fund raising committees. She was very skilful with her sewing machine, turning out clothes for herself and her family.
This happy life came to an abrupt end when Ewart died instantly from a heart attack on May 6, 1967 at the age of 38 years. After a period of adjustment, Jeanne worked in the library at the Ardrossan Elementary School and later for Sears in Edmonton.
Some time later, she met and married Ray Stetson, the son of Harry and Margaret Stetson of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The family moved to live with Ray on his dairy farm on the outskirts of Fort Saskatchewan, where the children attended school. Problems arose and this marriage ended in divorce in 1973 after which Jeanne and her children moved into their own home in Edmonton. She then worked for the Edmonton Journal and although she was happy and loved her job, her health began to fail. It was discovered she was the victim of an incurable brain tumor. After a long and devastating illness, Jeanne died on December 5, 1978 at the age of 48 years and was laid beside her husband Ewart Hoover in Westlawn Gardens, Edmonton.
Robert Hoover
Robert Clark, the eldest son of Jeanne and Ewart Hoover, was born April 1, 1952 and grew up in Edmonton, Uranium City and Ardrossan. Many happy hours were spent exploring his grandparents’ farm at Winterburn. One special event that stands out in Robert’s mind was when his mother made elegant costumes for each of the five children, herself and her husband for Klondike Days, a popular Edmonton Festival.
Following his dad’s death, Robert continued school and graduated from Ardrossan High School but spent more and more of his time at Winterburn with his grandparents. He enjoyed working with his grandfather and learned many things from him, and at the same time, Roy who was still farming, appreciated the companionship as well as the help. Robert had a variety of jobs but settled in as an employee of Port-a-Ville in Spruce Grove and continued to reside with his grandparents.
Robert married Jean Burns of Unity, Saskatchewan. He obtained a job with the Alberta Liquor Control board and they made their home in Edmonton. In 1979, he was transferred to Edson, Alberta where their son was born. They found this town to their liking and later Robert became employed by Luscar Sterco 1977 Ltd. Following a divorce, both Robert and Jean continued to live in Edson and both have happy and productive lives.
Robert married Heather Russel, daughter of Donald and Mabel Russel of Chalk River, Ontario, and they have a daughter.
Taylor Ewart, son of Robert and Jean Hoover, was born October 20, 1980 and lives in Edson where he has a happy relationship with both his parents. He is enrolled in the French Immersion Program and is an avid conversationalist in both languages. He likes camping and fishing with his father.
Krystal Dawn, daughter of Robert and Heather Hoover, was born November 12, 1984. She enjoys playing with her uncles and aunt, but her favorite pal right now is her dog, Blue.
David Hoover
David Roy, the second son of Jeanne and Ewart Hoover, was born in Edmonton on July 17, 1955. Happy memories of his childhood include the times when he was allowed to ride in the “big truck” with his dad, of hours rafting on the big slough with his older brother, and holidays in the mountains.
David was very active in sports. As catcher for the Ardrossan Fastball Club, he was chosen four consecutive years to play for the Northern Provincial Team. They defeated the Southern Team, then Calgary for the provincial championship in 1965 and 1966. He also played many positions in hockey.
While living at Fort Saskatchewan where he graduated from high school, David had many varied experiences on the dairy farm. He worked hard and saw the “value of a good man”. He learned how to operate machinery safely; hauled grain, bales and livestock; and worked with cattle in the dairy and with horses “trail riding”.
David went to the oil patch on October 8, 1975 as a ruffneck and worked his way up to Driller in September 1978. He has been drilling off and on (more on than off) for the past ten years and has worked all over Alberta, Northern B.C. and Saskatchewan. He is currently drilling for Sedco Drilling Rig #77.
David has traveled from the Mexican border to the Alaskan border, and been as far west as Hawaii and east to—Regina! He enjoys river canoeing, wilderness camping and traveling.
Leonard Hoover
Leonard Stewart, the third son of Jeanne and Ewart Hoover, was born March 29, 1959. Living on his parents’ acreage at Androssan, he attended the nearby elementary school. When he was just a little over eight years old, Leonard had the shock of his life when his father died suddenly. (This had a profound effect on Leonard.) He then attended Glengarry School in Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan School, and Jasper Place High School in Edmonton.
Following the death of his mother, Leonard and his siblings lived with their grandparents, Roy and Ivy. From high school, Leonard went to work in the Alberta oilfields which were booming at the time. Leonard has two sons.
Rodney Stewart Hoover, son of Leonard Hoover and Laurie Jones, was born November 5, 1980 and is presently living in Ontario.
William Roy Hoover, son of Leonard Hoover and Edith Weaver, was born January 19, 1986 and lives with his parents in Edmonton.
Keith Hoover
Keith Wesley, the fourth son of Jeanne and Ewart Hoover, was born May 13, 1960 in Edmonton. One week before his seventh birthday, Keith’s father died suddenly—his parents had gone out for an evening of square dancing and only his mother returned! As did his brothers, Keith attended school at Glengarry, Fort Saskatchewan and Jasper Place, and moved in with his grandparents following the death of his mother.
Keith’s first real job was as a forklift operator. Then he did some concrete work before obtaining employment in the oilfields.
Keith married Tara Rhein, daughter of Herbert and Violet Rhein of Edmonton. They lived in Edmonton and had a daughter prior to their divorce in 1986. Keith took the “Building Service Worker Programme” after which he obtained a job as a maintenance assistant at the Edson Senior Citizen Home in Edson, Alberta where he worked for a year. He is now once more in Edmonton making preparations to work in the construction industry.
Sherri Jeanne, daughter of Keith and Tara Hoover, was born November 10, 1981. She has become a seasoned traveler; she presently lives in Vancouver but enjoys coming to visit her dad and relatives in Edmonton, and her annual trip to Fantasy Land at West Edmonton Mall.
Shelly Hoover
Shelly Jeanne, the only daughter of Jeanne and Ewart Hoover, was born October 4, 1964 and remembers spending much of her childhood at her grandparents’ farm at Winterburn. She was involved in Brownies and always went to camp in summer.
Upon graduation from Jasper Place Composite High School in 1973, Shelly went to college and graduated with a certificate in Business Computers. After a two-year tenure with the federal government, she began her studies again. This time her chosen field was Hospital Records Administration. During her first semester, she was offered an exciting research position (to begin in July 1988) with the provincial government investigating health issues. Upon completion of her contract, she plans to continue studying unless she is offered a full-time position with the province.
Shelly lives in Edmonton with her two Siamese cats and spends her free time camping, fishing, bike riding, mountain climbing and horseback riding. She is saving her money in hopes of buying her own house, preferably near the river valley. STANLEY MILLHAM (by daughter Pat, 1989) Stanley Newton Millham, the second son of Oliver and Ann Millham, was born November 3, 1894 at Hazelcliffe. He attended school there until the family moved to Vancouver in 1912. He attended business college for a short while before the family moved to Hughenden in 1914. At age 19, Stan was farming on his own a short distance from his family. In the winter of 1926, he attended mechanics school in Edmonton and it was there that he met his future wife.
On July 19, 1927 Stan married Dana Belle (Berta) Davidson (born September 13, 1899), daughter of Edward and the late May Lucinda Davidson of Bon Accord, Alberta. Berta taught at Whitelock and Poplar Site schools until June 1933.
Stan continued farming in the Hughenden district and also invested in the hotel business with brother Alfred for a short time in 1939-40 in McBride, B.C. He returned to farming and moved his family to Hardisty from 1942-44. Stan and Berta and their two daughters moved to Vancouver in the winter of 1944 when Stan bought a half interest in the St. Regis Hotel with brother Alfred. Stan commuted between the farm and Vancouver until his death.
He was a member of both Masons and Shriners Lodges in Alberta and Vancouver. Berta is a Daughter of the Nile. Both were members of the Vancouver Curling Club.
Stanley passed away August 18, 1960 in Vancouver due to cancer after an illness of several months. Berta continues to live in Vancouver. She curled for many years and had trips to Scotland with the Curling Grandmothers in 1969 and 1970. She worked as a volunteer at Sunnyhill Hospital for Children. She is an active member of Ryerson United Church and belongs to the women’s group.
PATRICIA (MILLHAM) OWEN (submitted April 1990)
Patricia May, daughter of Stanley and Berta Millham, was born August 26, 1933 in Edmonton. I attended school in McBride, B.C., Poplar Site, Hughenden and Hardisty until grade 5 when the family moved to Vancouver. I graduated from Magee High School in 1952 and took one year at the University of B.C. before entering nurse’s training at Vancouver General Hospital. I left training in October 1955.
On November 10, 1955 I married Edward John (Jack) Owen (born April 20, 1929), son of the late Edward and Mildred Owen of Vancouver. Jack worked for Northern Electric Co. for two years following our marriage and then began working at the St. Regis Hotel in various positions.
In March 1962, we moved to Lower Post, B.C. (on the Alaska Highway) and bought a share in the Highway Lodge. We managed the lodge with rooms, dining room, coffee shop, pub, lounge, general store and garage with gas pumps; taxi service; and supplied the village with electrical power. Jack was the sub-mining recorder and local fur trader as well. As it was fifteen miles to the nearest bank, our hotel safe served as the village bank. We owned a small school bus that was leased by the Department of Indian Affairs to transport students to high school in Watson Lake, Yukon. During that time our older children had to board in Victoria and Fort St. John for further schooling. In July 1973 we moved, with our four children, back to Vancouver and spent a year with my mother, Berta Millham.
In July 1974, Jack bought an interest in the Seagate Hotel (in Port Hardy) with Alfred Millham and Ed McConnell, and the family moved to Port Hardy in September of that year.
Jack has been a member of the Lions Club in both Watson Lake, Y.T. and Port Hardy, B.C. I was a member of the Lioness Club in Watson Lake. We have both curled in Lower Post, Port Hardy and Vancouver, and I belong to the United Church in Port Hardy.
I worked on the Port Hardy ambulance as attendant and driver for twelve years and taught First Aid classes for five years in the local high school. I then worked part time for a diet center from October 1987 to March 1989, and am now working part time in a flower shop. For the past four years, I have done tour guiding on the buses for the cruise ship that stops in Port Hardy during the summer months.
Brent Owen
Douglas Brent, the eldest son of Pat and Jack Owen, was born March 5, 1956 in Vancouver. He attended school in Lower Post, Victoria, Fort St. John and Vancouver. Brent graduated from Eric Hamber High School in Vancouver in 1974 and continued with a heavy duty mechanics course in Dawson Creek, B.C. He took his apprenticeship at Island Copper (Utah Mine) in Port Hardy.
On January 9, 1982 in Port Hardy, Brent married Barbara Gail Baker, daughter of Orville and Janet Baker of Ruskin, B.C. He worked for a short while for McMillan and Bloedel in Port McNeill, then went to Tumbler Ridge, B.C. to work for Quintette coal mine. Brent and Barbara had two children prior to their separation. Barb is working at Quintette mine also, as a truck driver.
Brent owned a Harley-Davidson motorcycle which took him on many long trips. He sold his motorcycle and now uses his two horses to spend many long hours hunting the hills around Tumbler Ridge.
Steven Maurice, son of Brent and Barbara Owen, was born May 24, 1982.
Marie Louise, daughter of Brent and Barb Owen, was born March 19, 1984.
Daryl Owen
Daryl Edward, the second son of Pat and Jack Owen, was born September 25, 1957 in Vancouver. He attended school in Lower Post, Victoria, Watson Lake, Fort St. John, Vancouver and Port McNeill, and graduated from Eric Hamber High school in Vancouver in 1976.
Daryl began work at Island Copper (Utah mine) in Port Hardy in June 1976, as a sample technician in the assay lab. For the past year he has been working in the mill area at the mine. He is also a member of the mine rescue team and has just had a trip to Prince George to compete in the provincial competition in May 1989. He is a member of the volunteer fire department in Port Hardy and is on the fire protection crew at Utah mine. Daryl is an avid sportsman and enjoys skiing, scuba diving, water skiing, and plays hockey and baseball.
On May 25, 1991 Daryl married Anne Barton and they have a daughter.
Paige Alannah, daughter of Daryl and Anne Owen, was born October 17, 1991.
Terry Owen Terry John, the third son of Pat and Jack Owen, was born in Vancouver on December 19, 1958. He attended school in Lower Post, Fort St. John, Vancouver and Port McNeill. When Terry was five years old it was discovered he had Perthes’ disease so he started his schooling while in Sunnyhill Hospital for children. He spent one and a half years in hospital before returning home to Lower Post to continue his schooling. He graduated from Eric Hamber High School in Vancouver in 1976.
Terry worked for ten years as a warehouseman and shift supervisor at Canadian National Transport. In April 1988, he began work with Schenker Distribution as assistant supervisor on the afternoon shift.
On September 27, 1985 Terry married Diana Pauline Naskinen, daughter of Paul and Rebecca Naskinen of Vancouver. They have a son and expect their second child in June 1990. Diana worked until the summer of 1987 in the Foreign Exchange Branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. They have recently bought a house in Aldergrove, B.C.
Terry is very active in sports; he curls at the Marpole Curling Club and also plays hockey, football and baseball.
Terry Edward, son of Terry and Diana Owen, was born September 16, 1988.
Lori (Owen) Bosence
Lori Michele, the only daughter of Pat and Jack Owen, was born July 25, 1963 in Vancouver. She attended school in Lower Post, Vancouver and Port Hardy where she graduated in 1981.
Lori moved to Victoria after graduation and continued her education at Camosun College, taking a course in hotel and restaurant administration. She worked part time in the restaurant of the Dominion Hotel while going to school, and full time upon completing her course. In November 1987, the Dominion Hotel closed down and Lori moved to the O’Donnel’s Restaurant in January 1988 as supervisor/hostess. In October of the same year, she received a promotion to assistant manager.
On May 7, 1988 Lori married Tod Andrew Bosence, son of Gary and Sharon Bosence of Victoria. Tod is a chef at the Village Inn Restaurant in Victoria. Following the birth of their daughter, Lori returned to her job as manager at the restaurant. Lori enjoys horseback riding and photography. She loves animals and owns three cats.
Megan Leigh, daughter of Lori and Tod Bosence, was born February 1, 1990.
BEVERLY (MILLHAM) O’DELL (submitted July 1989)
Beverly Joyce Marie, the second daughter of Stanley and Berta Millham, was born in Edmonton on August 2, 1935. I attended Hardisty, Hughenden and Poplar Site schools up to the fourth grade, then moved to Vancouver. I studied piano for twelve years, played basketball in high school and was a cheerleader. I also belonged to the Kerrisdale figure skating club. After graduating from high school in 1953, I took a business course, then worked at a mortgage company for one year.
On September 2, 1955 I married Thomas Bernard O’Dell (born August 31, 1931), the son of Kathleen and the late Jack O’Dell of Vancouver. We lived in Eugene, Oregon for two years while Tom took his pre-dent course at the University of Oregon. I worked in the office at Penney’s as secretary to the manager. In 1957 we moved to Chicago, Illinois where Tom completed his four years of dental training at Northwestern University. I worked for four years as personal secretary to the Director of Industrial Hygiene at Kemper Ins.
At the present time, Tom has a general practice in Vancouver and I work with him as assistant/receptionist. We have a summer home in the gulf islands where we spend many weekends with family and friends. We are currently building a new home in Surrey, B.C. which is a suburb of Vancouver. We have three children.
Pamela O’Dell
Pamela Gail, the eldest child of Beverly and Tom O’Dell, was born September 30, 1962. She was a successful age-group competitive swimmer and, at the age of twelve, set a record for Manitoba in the 100-meter butterfly (at a competition in Winnipeg). She also set a Canadian record in the 200-meter freestyle at the age of twelve.
Pam graduated from high school in 1980. She has been employed by Loomis Courier for the past eight years and is now head dispatch in the Richmond, B.C. office.
Kimberley O’Dell
Kimberley Susan, the second daughter of Beverly and Tom O’Dell, was born June 16, 1965 and was also a successful age-group competitive swimmer. She took an outdoor program called Quest in grade 10. This program was similar to Outward Bound where she was exposed to rock climbing, canoeing, X-country skiing and sailing. She had two sailing trips to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Kim graduated from high school in 1983.
Kim earned her bronze medallion and bronze cross for swimming as well as her PADI certificate for scuba diving. She was employed as a swim instructor at the YMCA for some time. Following this, she was employed as a baker for over a year. She then had an opportunity to travel to Indonesia with a friend. Upon her return, she took a course in the hospitality industry after which, was employed by the Delta Airport Inn where she worked for a year or more. In April 1989, Kim relocated to the Okanagan Valley outside Kelowna and hopes to resume employment in the baking or hospitality industry.
Todd O’Dell
Todd Stanley, son of Beverly and Tom O’Dell, was born February 21, 1969. He was always active in soccer and little league baseball as a youngster, and basketball in high school where he played on both the junior and senior teams. Todd graduated in 1987 with an interest in accounting and computers as well as all sports.
He is now employed in the office of S&R Sawmills in Port Kells, B.C. He curls at Marpole Curling Club and lifts weights in his leisure time.
OLIVE (MILLHAM) PEDDICORD (by daughter Shirley)
Olive Melinda Alice Millham was born April 21, 1902 at Hazelcliffe, the only daughter of Oliver and Ann Millham. She moved with her family to Prince Albert and subsequently to Vancouver where they lived for two years before moving, in 1914, to the Poplar Site district south of Amisk, Alberta. Olive decided on a teaching career and took her Normal School in Camrose, Alberta. She returned to teach at Morgan, Hughenden, Fabian, and Landscape schools in Alberta.
On January 11, 1928 Olive married Ernest Peddicord and they farmed in the Landscape district until 1960 when they moved to Amisk. They had two children.
Before Olive was married she played in an orchestra. After marriage, she taught music, played for church services, was active in F.U.W.A. activities and was a lifetime member of the W.I.
Olive passed away at Provost, Alberta on November 23, 1981. Ernest continues to live in Amisk.
STUART PEDDICORD
Stuart Ernest, son of Olive and Ernest Peddicord, was born at Hardisty, Alberta on February 10, 1931. He grew up on his parents’ farm in the Landscape district southwest of Hughenden, where he received his public school education. He attended high school in Vancouver, Edmonton and Sedgewick where he graduated in 1949, receiving the Honor Pin for his contribution to the school.
Throughout his short and busy life, Stuart displayed a keen interest in many activities. Included in these was his Junior Red Cross work. He was one of the two youths representing Alberta for the organization at the International Convention in Montana in 1947. He was also very much interested in aviation and obtained his private flying license in 1950. He was secretary of the University Flying Club during the following year.
At the time of his death, Stuart was a third year geology student at the University of Alberta. He died due to a brain tumor at the University Hospital in Edmonton on January 5, 1952 at the age of 20 years.
SHIRLEY (PEDDICORD) DAILY (submitted 1989)
Shirley Joyce, daughter of Olive and Ernest Peddicord, was born February 25, 1934 at Hardisty, Alberta, and received her early schooling at a country school called Landscape. During her grades 5, 6 and 7 she, along with her family, spent some of each school year in Vancouver with the Stanley and Alfred Millham families so Shirley attended Vancouver schools at that time. She took her high school at Sedgewick where she lived in a dormitory with about fifty other students. She obtained her grade 10 Royal Conservatory of Music in piano at that time and later taught music for several years after her marriage. Shirley continued her education at the University of Alberta where she received her permanent teaching certificate. She taught one year each at Strome and Camrose, Alberta prior to her marriage.
On October 29, 1955 Shirley married Don Daily, a petroleum engineer whom she met at the U. of A., and they had four children. Due to a life in the petroleum industry, the family moved several times in Alberta. These included Wizard Lake (a Texaco Oil camp community situated ten miles south of Leduc), Drayton Valley, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Calgary; and Norman Wells, North West Territories.
After raising her family, Shirley enrolled at the University of Calgary for her Bachelor of Education Degree and graduated in June 1983. She subsequently taught E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) for a year to Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodian and Japanese children, and has been teaching grade 1 for the past four years at Keeler Elementary School in Calgary.
Patricia Daily
Patricia Dawn, the eldest child of Shirley and Don Daily, was born September 15, 1957 in Calgary. She began her elementary schooling in Edmonton, subsequently moving with her family to Cold Lake, back to Edmonton and then to Calgary where she graduated from high school.
Patricia moved with her son to Victoria, B.C. in July 1981 and is now residing in Sidney, B.C. She is a beauty consultant, giving facial treatments, and is presently completing her cosmetology and hairdressing course in Victoria.
Trent David, son of Patricia Daily, was born October 18, 1976 in Calgary. He spent his early years in Calgary and moved with his mother to Victoria where he began his schooling. Trent now attends school in Sidney and is interested in history, astronomy and stamp collecting. He enjoys reading and is interested in anything associated with computers; he also enjoys his position as shortstop in fastball.
Douglas Daily
Douglas Stuart, son of Shirley and Don Daily was born in Edmonton on September 20, 1959. Like his sister, Doug began his early schooling in Edmonton, then at Cold Lake, back to Edmonton, and continued on to junior and senior high school in Calgary. He has always had a keen interest in all forms of gymnastics and the martial arts. During his elementary school years, he and his brother learned the art of judo and were both members of the YMCA for a period of six years. In junior high, Doug received the “Most Improved Gymnast of the Year” award followed by the first place championship and gold medal in parallel bars for southern Alberta. He also placed seventh in free exercise (tumbling and acrobatic routines) for the province. At the same time, Doug was involved in the Calgary Karate Association. He was very interested in diving and was actively involved in a diving club. Doug played the trumpet in the school band for three years.
After a ten-year break, Doug has regained his old interest in the martial arts, applying a variety of the different styles, and has recently participated in several tournaments, receiving a gold, a silver, and a bronze medal as well as first and third place trophies for Alberta.
After completing high school, Doug took a mechanics course at SAIT and worked two years as a mechanic before returning to SAIT to acquire his power engineering certificate. He then obtained a position with Turbo Industries at the Airdrie, Alberta gas plant as a plant operator.
Mark Daily
Mark David, the second son of Shirley and Don Daily, was born November 22, 1962 in Edmonton. He and his family moved to Cold Lake when he was four years old and he attended Cold Lake Elementary School for grades 1 and 2. Mark has fond memories of Cold Lake, since his father was able to take him and his brother fishing many times. Along with the surrounding wilderness, it made the ideal childhood. The family lived at Cold Lake, then moved back to Edmonton where Mark attended his third and fourth grades. He and his brother took judo lessons at the YMCA at that time. They then moved to Calgary where Mark completed his schooling. While in junior high, Mark played the saxophone in the school band and the piano in the stage band. For six years, he and Doug were members of the YMCA in Calgary, where they took swimming and gym.
After high school, Mark picked up experience in a number of trades such as welding, insulating, tin bashing, cabinet making, ironworking, landscaping and carpentry. He developed a love for woodworking and is continually working on new projects. He enjoys all aspects of construction and is enrolled at SAIT college in Calgary for civil engineering technology.
On June 6, 1987 Mark married Wendy Arthur whom he had met at SAIT, and adopted her daughter, Candy, with the process being finalized in July 1988. They also have a son.
Shane Michael, son of Mark and Wendy Daily, was born in Calgary on October 24, 1988.
Diana Daily
Diana Lee, the second daughter and youngest child of Shirley and Don Daily, was born March 5, 1967 in Edmonton. At the age of three months, she moved with her family to Cold Lake, and later back to Edmonton. When Diana was five years old, she and her family moved to Calgary.
Diana attended grades 1 through 12 plus three years of university in Calgary. During her school life, she was very active in sports. In grade 5, she was in league bowling. She also joined a baseball league and was their pitcher for five years. In junior high, Diana played the alto saxophone in the school band for three years, played baseball and soccer, and had two paper routes.
During high school, Diana played volleyball and discovered field hockey which became her all-time favorite sport. She also coached both sports, receiving her Level 1 certificate in these two areas. She took sports medicine courses in grades 11 and 12. Upon graduating, she received two major awards: a major athletic award (for playing on numerous teams) and the Maxwell Award for citizenship, academic and sports.
During the summer after grade 11, Diana was chosen to be a junior forest ranger along with a group of girls. They spent the entire summer in the Rocky Mountain foothills where they first cleared the land, then erected a plastic tent in which to live. They also set up their dining hall which was a plastic tent with a wood stove and four tables. As her Grandpa Ernest commented, the situation was very primitive. They cleared trails, sprayed noxious weeds in the valleys, scaled cliffs, took forest fire fighting training, and learned how to live off the land.
The following summer, she worked for Park Alert which was associated with the Calgary City Police force. Here she and her group, by patrolling on their bikes, kept vigilance on the city parks on the lookout for the use of alcohol, drugs and violence. These actions would be reported to the police who would then handle the situation.
Diana entered the faculty of Physical Education at the University of Calgary. At that time, she was asked to coach field hockey at her high school; the first year they won second in the city. She also coached high school volleyball and they won first in the Cities Tournament. During the 1988 Calgary Olympics, Diana was a volunteer at the Athletic Village. She was an access controller and was responsible for allowing only authorized people into the Village. She met many of the athletes and has many happy memories and mementos of those people and events.
ALFRED MILLHAM (by daughter Maxine, May 1991)
Alfred Herbert Millham, the youngest son of Oliver and Ann Millham, was born at Hazelcliffe on January 21, 1905. After moving with his family to Vancouver, and later to the Hughenden district of Alberta, Alfred graduated from grade 12 at Camrose. His interests through the years have included curling, goose shooting, and the Masonic lodge.
In December 1928, Alfred married Marie Katherine Heguy, and they had two children. He was owner and general manager of the St. Regis Hotel in Vancouver from 1945 to 1962. He then became general manager of the Seagate Hotel in Port Hardy, B.C. until 1986.
Marie passed away on January 19, 1984. In 1989, Alfred married Muriel Gordon and both are presently living in a rest home in the Shaughnessy area of Vancouver. [Alfred passed away June 30, 1991.]
HERBERT MILLHAM
Herbert Charles, son of Alfred and Marie Millham, was born May 31, 1929. He graduated from St. Georges School in Vancouver before entering the University of B.C. in the faculty of Law.
In 1954 Herb married Kathleen Keele and they had five sons. He was a practicing barrister and solicitor, and passed away on August 24, 1985.
Peter Millham
Peter Charles, the eldest son of Herb and Kathy Millham, was born December 1, 1954 and graduated from Eric Hamber High School in Vancouver. At present he lives in Vancouver where he is a writer. Peter is not married.
David Millham
David Stuart, the second son of Herb and Kathy Millham, was born November 8, 1955 and also graduated from Eric Hamber High School.
In 1976 David married Nellis Anderson and they have four children. They live in Courtney, B.C. and David is an hotel lounge manager in Comox.
Stuart, the eldest son of David and Nellis Millham, was born September 15, 1975.
Allison, the only daughter of David and Nellis Millham, was born December 11, 1976.
Christopher, the third child of David and Nellis Millham, was born July 25, 1984.
Matthew Tyler, the youngest son of David and Nellis Millham, was born July 19, 1985.
Christopher Millham
Christopher, the third son of Herb and Kathy Millham, was born November 22, 1957 and graduated from Eric Hamber High School in Vancouver. He attended BCIT where he graduated in Business Administration. He is not married.
Robert Millham
Robert James, the fourth son of Herb and Kathy Millham, was born March 28, 1959 and also graduated from Eric Hamber. He attended Western Washington University in Washington, U.S.A. for five years where he graduated in Business Administration.
On June 17, 1989 Robert married Dr. Catherine Joan Phillips, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Bud Phillips, in Regina and they presently live in Vancouver.
Michael Millham
Michael, the fifth son of Herb and Kathy Millham, was born April 12, 1960. He graduated from Eric Hamber High School in Vancouver where he lives. He is not married.
MAXINE (MILLHAM) McCONNELL (submitted 1991)
Maxine Marie, daughter of Alfred and Marie Millham, was born May 21, 1930. She graduated from Crofton House School and entered the University of B.C. in Education.
In 1964 Maxine married Wm. Edward McConnell and they had one son. Edward, a hotel owner and manager at Port Hardy, B.C., passed away in 1979. Maxine is presently vice- principal at Port Hardy Secondary School.
Brian McConnell
Brian William, son of Maxine and Edward McConnell, was born September 20, 1964. He obtained his degree in Business Administration and presently works for a life insurance company in Vancouver.
Brian has a son and lives in Vancouver, plus divides his time at the summer home in Indian Arm, North Vancouver.
Michael Edward, son of Brian McConnell, is 3 years of age.
GEORGE (by the family)
George William Millham, the second son of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Headingly on July 19, 1868 and baptized there on August 16 of the same year.
On July 29, 1886 George made entry for a homestead at Shellmouth, Manitoba, SE2-23- 29 W1. After his family moved to the Hazelcliffe district, he followed and applied for NW2- 19A-1 W2, six miles south of the present town of Esterhazy and near the north bank of the Qu’Appelle Valley. While working as a cook in a lumber camp on the Bird Tail Creek, he selected good logs for a house, peeled and piled them in the bush. During the summer, he hauled those logs to his quarter section and built a house 16 feet by 14 feet; the logs were then plastered. Lumber was used for the upper section. The next year, he selected oak logs and inserted them at the bottom of the other logs for a foundation. The house was still in use by the Babyaks in 1940 and stood for years after that.
On April 19, 1899 George married Jane Isabel Roberts in Wapella with Rev. Morrison officiating. Isabel was born in Carwood, Yorkshire, England on March 16, 1881. They lived on the homestead, where their first four children were born, while George continued to expand his operation. In 1907, because of poor crop prospects, the family moved into Esterhazy where two more sons were born.
George continued to buy, sell and rent out land for the rest of his life. He was a bulk dealer for BA Oil from 1918-1922. Tragedy struck when Isabel died in Brandon General Hospital on February 22, 1922. In the following year, George bought interests in oil properties in California where he spent many winters. He also spent time in St. James, Winnipeg, where he owned a house.
George passed away at Esterhazy on July 15, 1948.
GEORGE AND ISABEL MILLHAM (1868 – 1948) (1881 – 1922) Married 1899
1. James Henry (1900 – 1917) 2. Elsie Irene (1902 - ) 3. Florence Winsy (1904 - ) 4. Charles Edward (1906 – 1986) 5. Richard William (1909 - ) 6. George Leonard (1912 – 1936) 1. James 2. Elsie – Frazer McKenzie 1. Carolyn – Verne Williams 1. Joy 2. Shelley 3. William 2. Fay – Raymond Morrison 1. Michael 3. Florence – Stuart Hill 1. Joan – Bill Ritchie 1. William 2. Stuart 2. Donald – Anita Fritis 1. Michelle 2. Jacqueline 3. Jason 4. Charles – Ida Almina (Mina) Barker 1. Darwin – Donelda Phillips 1. Darryl 3. Leslie 5. Shawn 2. Donald 4. Stacy 2. James – Jean Kozakewich 1. Allan 3. Joanne 5. Barry 2. Sandra 4. Richard 3. Gordon – Lilly Mae Eskelson Guest 1. Colleen 2. Sherri 3. Lana 4.Evan 4. Allan – Delaina Sadler – Nan Griffiths 1. Scott 2. Alison
5. Richard – Louise Kubik 1. Harvey – June Schultz 1. Kelly 2. Shelley 2. Donald – Maxine Jurick 1. William 2. Robert 3. Marie
6. George
JAMES MILLHAM
James Henry Millham, the eldest son of George and Isabel Millham, was born February 5, 1900. He spent much time in hospitals and attended school only periodically.
Jimmy died on June 10, 1917 following a long battle with tuberculosis.
ELSIE (MILLHAM) McKENZIE (Submitted 1989)
Elsie Irene Millham, the second child of George and Isabel Millham, was born March 5, 1902 at Hazelcliffe, Northwest Territories. She was educated at Esterhazy School and then attended Wheat City Business College in Brandon. Beginning in 1920, she worked for Grant, Donald and Clements (lawyers in Esterhazy) as a stenographer. In 1922, Elsie began work at the Union Bank in Esterhazy and in the spring of 1924, was transferred to the Union Bank in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan where she worked for four years.
On December 20, 1928 Elsie married Frazer Douglas McKenzie, son of John and Caroline (Lucky) McKenzie of Vancouver, in Esterhazy. Mac was born March 29, 1889 in Wawanesa, Manitoba and was educated there before joining the Union Bank. He was a bank manager and later a financial manager.
Their two daughters were born while Elsie and Mac lived in Cut Knife. In 1939, the family moved to Vancouver where Mac passed away on March 29, 1967. He was buried in Oceanview Cemetery in Burnaby, B.C.
Elsie was involved in the first Rebekah Lodge at Esterhazy, called “Wohelo” Rebekah Lodge, joining in January 1924. She then transferred to Brilliant Rebekah Lodge in Cut Knife where she became Noble Grand in January 1927, and remained active in the lodge until the 1940’s.
She began her curling career in earnest in the 1949-50 season at the Vancouver Curling Club. As well as being an avid curler, Elsie was active on the executive, as president of the B.C. Ladies Curling Association in 1954 and later as president of the Western Canada Ladies Curling Championship in 1956. She has been a member in several curling clubs in B.C.’s lower mainland and has curled in Scotland and Germany many times, and once in Switzerland. In 1969, Elsie’s team of Canadian Grannies won the Johnny Walker Gold Plate in a mixed bonspiel in Aviemore, Scotland. At the age of 87 Elsie, as a skip, is still curling and attending bonspiels.
Elsie has continued to live in the lower mainland of B.C., now White Rock.
CAROL (McKENZIE) WILLIAMS (submitted 1989)
Carolyn Isabel, daughter of Elsie and Mac McKenzie, was born September 23, 1931 in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan. She began school in Cut Knife and graduated from Lord Byng High School in Vancouver in 1949. She studied music and in the summer of 1949, traveled to England and Scotland as the pianist for the Elgar Junior Choir. Carol studied music for one more year before she entered nurse’s training at Vancouver General Hospital. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of British Columbia before working at Prince George Regional Hospital and then as public health nurse in Prince George and surrounding area.
On May 15, 1958 Carol married Verne Williams in Vancouver. He was born October 28, 1929 at Shoal Lake, Manitoba, the son of the late William Silas Williams and Viola Mae (Pollock) Wickstrom. Verne attended school in Gladstone and Plumas, Manitoba before moving with his family to Vancouver where he graduated from Lord Byng High school in 1948. He joined the RCMP on September 2, 1948 and was posted in Prince George when Carol met him.
Carol and Verne lived in several places in B.C. and spent three years in Nova Scotia—returning in 1977. Verne retired from the force on September 1, 1983. He is an avid skier, snowmobiler and hunter. He has recently taken two appointments as Vernon’s coroner and commissioner for private marriages. Carol is an avid curler and golfer. She has been very active in the annual Vernon, B.C. Winter Carnival and as a past president of the Vernon Toastmasters Club. They have three children.
Joy (Williams) Gregorash
Brenda Joy, daughter of Carol and Verne Williams, was born June 8, 1959 in Prince George, B.C. She attended several schools in B.C. and graduated from high school in Nova Scotia in 1977. In 1981, she joined the RCMP as a civilian member in telecommunications.
On August 28, 1984 Joy married RCMP Constable Robert Michael Gregorash, son of Michael and Isabel Gregorash, in Vernon. Bob was born May 22, 1954 in St. Johns, Newfoundland. He was raised and schooled in Lynn Lake, Manitoba and joined the RCMP on April 24, 1974.
Joy and Bob were transferred to Prince George in July 1986. Joy left the force in February 1987 to become a full-time mother to their two daughters. Erin Michele, daughter of Joy and Bob Gregorash, was born April 26, 1987.
Holly Isabel, the second daughter of Joy and Bob Gregorash, was born in November 1989.
Shelley Williams
Shelley Ann, the second daughter of Carol and Verne Williams, was born in Prince George, B.C. on December 17, 1960. She attended several schools in B.C. and Nova Scotia, and graduated from Vernon Senior Secondary in 1979. During 1984-85, she attended Northwest Baptist Theological College in Burnaby, B.C.
Shelley now works in an intermediate care home in Vernon. She enjoys horse back riding and baseball.
Bill Williams
William Gordon Frazer, son of Carol and Verne Williams, was born March 26, 1963, and also attended schools in B.C. and Nova Scotia. He is an avid hockey player, golfer, and snow and water skier.
In 1980, Bill began working for a sign installation company in Vernon. He moved to Calgary to work for another sign company and in 1984, bought his own company, “Above All Signs”. In 1987, Bill joined with a large company, “Artistic Signs”, and is now a part owner of this company.
FAY (McKENZIE) MORRISON (submitted 1989)
Fay Irene, the second daughter of Elsie and Mac McKenzie, was born July 5, 1935 in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan. She attended school in Vancouver, completing grade 10 at Lord Byng High School where she also studied music.
On October 29, 1962 Fay married Rifleman Raymond Henry Morrison of the Queens Own Rifles of Canada, in Calgary, and they had one son. The family spent two years in Germany with the armed forces, returning to Calgary and Vancouver, where Fay now lives. Fay and Ray were divorced in 1975.
Michael Morrison
Michael Ray, son of Fay and Ray Morrison, was born April 22, 1964. He attended school in Calgary and Vancouver, and is now taking courses in Edmonton.
FLORENCE (MILLHAM) HILL (submitted 1991)
Florence Wincie Millham, was born January 2, 1904, the third child of George and Isabel Millham. She moved with her family into Esterhazy in 1907 and attended school there.
On August 4, 1930 Florence married Stuart Leonard Hill in Esterhazy. Stuart, son of Asher Hill and Rose Kate Jones of Bath, Somerset, England was born November 13, 1898 in Clutten, Somerset. Stuart arrived in Esterhazy in 1915 and served in World War I as a Signalman in 2nd Division, Canadian Artillery. In 1927, he joined an airline (later CPA) as a pilot and retired in 1958 to Vancouver where he and Florence still live. They have two children.
JOAN (HILL) RITCHIE (submitted 1991)
Joan Isabel, daughter of Florence and Stuart Hill, was born October 20, 1931 in Amos, Quebec and attended school in various towns in Quebec. She moved to Carleton Place, Ontario in 1943 and graduated from Carleton Place High School in 1951. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree at Queens’ University, Kingston, Ontario in 1954 and graduated from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, New York, N.Y. in 1955 before working in New York for two years. In 1957, Joan moved to Vancouver to work as a secretary for an industrial relations firm. She obtained her Bachelor of Education Degree from UBC in 1962 and taught French in Vancouver high schools from 1962 – 64.
On December 22, 1962 Joan married William Wyse Ritchie, Jr. in Vancouver. Bill was born February 6, 1932 in Vancouver, the son of William Wyse Ritchie (March 11, 1894, North Hatley, Quebec-June 1981, Vancouver) and Winifred Irene Rosa Bryant (December 26, 1892, Marshalltown, Iowa-1979, Vancouver). Bill lived all his life in Vancouver where he graduated from Magee High School in 1952, obtained his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UBC in 1956 and MBA from Simon Fraser in 1972. He is a manager for Fleck Bros. Ltd., Vancouver. Joan and Bill have two children.
William Ritchie
William Wyse, adopted son of Joan and Bill Ritchie, was born June 5, 1966 in Vancouver. He attended Quilchena Elementary, Point Grey High, and Eric Hamber High School where he graduated in 1984. He now attends UBC, as an English major.
Stuart Ritchie
Duncan Stuart, the second adopted son of Joan and Bill Ritchie, was born December 21, 1967 in Vancouver. He also attended Quilchena Elementary School, and graduated from Point Grey High School in 1986. Stuart graduated from UBC in Computer Science in 1990 and is completing his Master’s Degree.
DONALD HILL (submitted 1991)
Donald Stuart, son of Florence and Stuart Hill, was born March 11, 1933 in Amos, Quebec. He attended elementary school in various Quebec towns and graduated from Albert College, Belleville, Ontario in 1952. He joined CPA in 1955 as a pilot, and is now based in Vancouver.
On October 3, 1959 Donald married Anna Teresa Fritis, daughter of Ricardo Fritis and Nene Moya, in Santiago, Chile. They have three children.
Michelle (Hill) Bailey
Michelle Anne, daughter of Donald and Anna Hill, was born October 9, 1961 in Vancouver and graduated from Crofton House School in 1979. She works in Vancouver as a secretary at UBC.
In September 1989, Michelle married Mark Bailey and now lives in Surrey, B.C.
Jacqueline Hill
Jacqueline Gail, the second daughter of Donald and Anna Hill, was born June 24, 1964 in Vancouver, and graduated from Crofton House School in 1983. She took Psychiatric Nursing at BCIT and works at Woodlands Hospital, while residing in Burnaby.
Jason Hill
Jason Donald, son of Donald and Anna Hill, was born in Vancouver on April 18, 1978 and attends Vancouver Community College School.
CHARLES MILLHAM (by wife Mina, 1988)
Charles Edward Millham, the second son of George and Isabel Millham, was born on the homestead on February 23, 1906. He attended school in Esterhazy and was always active in sports, especially hockey and baseball. He attended St. Andrew’s United Church, became active in Tuxis Boys, and later was their leader.
Charlie attended Normal School in Regina in 1926-27, then taught at his first school, Irene, near Baldwinton, Saskatchewan from August to December 1927. His continued teaching career included: Beresina, near Churchbridge, February 1928 – December 1929; Dawn, near Melville, February 1930 – 31; Stirling, near Zehner, 1932 – 36; New Stockholm, July – December 1937; Scandia, 1938 – 55; St. David at Stockholm, 1955 – 66, when he retired from teaching.
On October 18, 1929 Charlie married Ida Almina (Mina) Barker in the United Church in Yorkton with Rev. Hugh McKay Lyon officiating. Mina was born May 17, 1912 to Elizabeth (Caldwell) and William Homer Barker on their homestead in the Clumber district where she attended elementary school, then secondary school in Bredenbury. Music lessons were always part of education in the family. Mina was a member of Sunday school, Mission band, etc. in Clumber, attended United Church in Bredenbury, and joined CGIT. She became a member of her father’s dance band at an early age. Charlie later joined the band with his banjo and was an excellent soloist.
Charlie and Mina continued their interest in music as they provided dance music in the districts where he taught school and encouraged music participation from pupils, including singing. They worked together to put on programs. Mina taught piano, song flute (recorder), and music in general to school pupils wherever Charlie taught, and in Stockholm.
In July, 1937 Charlie and Mina, with three sons, moved to their farm in the Scandia School district south of Stockholm, where their fourth son was born. While teaching, Charlie farmed assisted by their sons; was on the council of Fertile Belt #183 as councilor and reeve; took part in elections as speaker, chairman and worker at the polls. His venture into nomination was interesting. Mina also worked in polls at election time and is still an active Liberal. In 1940, Charlie instigated formation of the Qu’Appelle Valley field meets, with trustees and teachers from each school involved in planning and supervision. These field meets were popular and brought people, young and old, together in a common interest.
In 1955 Charlie, Mina and their youngest son Allan moved into Stockholm—Charlie to teach in St. David School and Mina to continue teaching music and take part in many community endeavours. She was news correspondent for the Melville Advance and wrote a feature article on square dancing, “Swing your Partner”, for the Advance and Esterhazy Miner. Charlie continued to farm until one very hot day he returned home to announce that he was selling the farm. Albert Shivak and Henry Tranberg were the purchasers. Machinery was sold later, after a holiday in Florida. Steel grain bins are now the only visible sign of residency.
In 1955, when Earle Park organized square dancing in Esterhazy, Charlie, Mina and Allan joined the club. Charlie was actively attending political meetings and speaking with M.P. James Gardiner, but danced too. It was the beginning of a fabulous recreation that brought much happiness through traveling and making friends in many countries. They danced with clubs that began forming in all nearby towns and, with a group of local dancers, obtained a coveted trophy donated by N.R. Park & Sons by traveling to Hudson Bay Junction one very cold wintery evening. Another time, they brought home from Florida a beautifully dressed doll, garbed square dance style, to continue her travels in Canada. From Kenosee Lake, that doll went to Stony Creek, Ontario.
Square dancing opened many doors and brought a great deal of friendship and pleasure to Charlie and Mina. Everywhere they went with a square dance tour lead by Jean and Earle Park, they danced and enjoyed dancing until Charlie suffered heart problems, then a mild stroke. He recalled their trips and especially highlights—dancing in Tokyo with Prince and Princess Mikasa (brother of Emperor Hirohito) and dancing in an ice palace in the Swiss Alps. There were many memories of dancing in Paris, Germany, England, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, as well as many cities in Canada and the United States.
Charlie and Mina spent a number of winters in Victoria, B.C. and became well- acquainted with the city; they were welcomed at square and round dances and into homes of members. When retirement time came in 1975, Charlie and Mina bought a condominium in Fairfield United Church parish. Rev. J. Bray, their minister in Stockholm and Esterhazy, informed his friend and former classmate, Dr. Harry Kerley, of the arrival of the Millhams. They were welcomed and soon became involved in many facets of Fairfield—Charlie was to become a member of the church board, usher, money counter, and did volunteer work with a group of men to renovate the church hall. Mina was nursery supervisor, accompanist for junior choir, taught Sunday School, leader of a UCW unit, vice president of the general UCW executive, and a visiting elder.
The 50th wedding anniversary in 1979, as had been the 25th, was celebrated in Pioneer Hall south of Stockholm. Bert Junek’s orchestra supplied dancing music and Earle Park called for some impromptu square dancing. Fifteen grandchildren, sixteen counting Darryl’s new bride, and one little great granddaughter, were introduced as each presented a rose to the honored couple.
In February 1986, in spite of heart problems, Charlie was invited to be guest speaker at an AOTS meeting. He spoke of “Saskatchewan’s Hidden Treasure”, telling of potash discovery and mining. Samples of ore were of much interest to the group as mining is thought to be dirty and black, not crystal and pink.
On June 20, 1986 after being home from hospital for only two days, Charlie suffered cardiac arrest. Burial was in Royal Oak Cemetery.
(continued by son Gordon)
Mom died on September 19, 1989 in Victoria, apparently due to a stroke. Following cremation, her ashes were placed beside Dad’s in the Royal Oak Cemetery in Oak Bay. She had spent much of her last summer visiting family and friends in Saskatchewan.
DARWIN MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Darwin Barker, the eldest son of Charlie and Mina Millham, was born February 2, 1930 at Bredenbury, Saskatchewan. While attending school at Scandia, he helped on the family farm. In 1947, he worked at lake resorts before being employed in eastern Canada for two years, and in a B.C. sawmill for a year. From 1951 – 54, Darwin served in the Occupation Forces in Germany as a member of Canadian Scottish Battalion and was in England for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
On November 13, 1954 Darwin married Donelda Anne Phillips at Nipawin, Saskatchewan where she was born on March 3, 1932. They had met in 1951 and kept in touch while Darwin was overseas. They farmed for three years before moving, with their son, to Alberta where Darwin was employed by the trucking and construction industries. Four more sons were born in Alberta. In 1965, the family returned to Saskatchewan and resumed farming.
In 1966, Darwin managed the bowling alley in Esterhazy and in 1969 – 70, the alley in Melville while Donelda took over the Esterhazy alley. Donelda worked at the SAAN store in Esterhazy 1970 – 78 and 1982 to present. Darwin operated a garage in Stockholm, was a heavy duty mechanic at the K1 potash mine, worked for the Village of Stockholm for four years, and is now a private contractor.
Darwin and Donelda reside at Bird’s Point, Round Lake during summer and in Stockholm for winter. They are active in community affairs, including the Lions Club, and enjoy bowling in Esterhazy. Darwin was an avid ball player and coach, and promoted the game in the community.
Darryl Millham
Darryl Wayne, the eldest of Darwin and Donelda Millham, was born November 4, 1955. He graduated from grade 12 at Esterhazy High School and worked at the IMC potash mine for a while before being employed by Town & Country Decorating in Esterhazy installing carpets.
On June 23, 1979 Darryl married Deborah May Seman, daughter of Morley and Frances Seman of Stockholm, who was born February 17, 1957. Darryl adopted Deborah’s daughter from a previous marriage and three more children were born to them. They live in Regina where Darryl continues to install carpets.
Christie Dawn, daughter of Deborah Millham from a previous marriage, was born January 17, 1976. She died December 12, 1982 following a long battle with cancer.
Alyx Melissa, second daughter of Darryl and Deborah Millham, was born November 26, 1981 in Regina.
Mallory Anne, the third daughter of Darryl and Deborah Millham, was born in Regina on October 5, 1984.
Jesse Cooper, son of Darryl and Deborah Millham, was born January 5, 1990.
Donald Millham
Donald Lloyd, the second son of Darwin and Donelda Millham, was born March 30, 1957. He had a genetic disability and died in a Calgary hospital in March, 1969.
Leslie Millham
Leslie Charles, the third son of Darwin and Donelda Millham, was born October 13, 1958 and attended Esterhazy School to the completion of grade 10. He later obtained his grade 12 diploma by writing GED exams. He is a keen hockey and ball player.
On July 9, 1988 Leslie married Donna Mintram, daughter of Howard and Pat Mintram of Yorkton. Leslie and Donna lived in Rhein while he was employed with the Mintram business, M & M Water Supplies & Trenching. They now live in Yorkton and Leslie works for Miki’s Lock, Glass and Saw Service. Leslie and Donna have two children as well as Donna’s two daughters from a previous relationship—Sherri, age 11 and Ember, age 5.
Leslie Charles, son of Leslie and Donna Millham, was born July 12, 1989.
Savannah Donelda Patricia, daughter of Leslie and Donna Millham, was born July 31, 1990.
Stacey Millham
Stacy Darwin, the fourth son of Darwin and Donelda Millham, was born September 6, 1963. He received his education in Stockholm and Esterhazy, and enjoys playing ball and hockey.
On July 31, 1987 Stacy married Barbara Patricia Isaac and two children were born to them prior to their separation. Stacy is presently working on construction in Saskatoon, and has custody of their son, Mik. Stacy Darwin Jr., newborn son of Stacy and Barbara Millham, passed away December 2, 1988 in Regina General Hospital. Antony Mik, son of Stacy and Barbara Millham, was born in January 1990.
Shawn Millham
Shawn Buddy, the youngest son of Darwin and Donelda Millham was born May 18, 1965. He attended Esterhazy School to grade 10 and obtained his grade 12 diploma through GED exams. He also enjoys playing ball and hockey. Shawn is living in Regina where he works on construction.
JIM MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
James William, the second son of Charles Edward and Ida Almina Millham, was born November 12, 1933 when my father was teaching at Stirling School in the Foxleigh district north of Regina. A few years later, in the depths of the depression, we moved to Esterhazy to live with Grandpa George Millham for a while. He then lived in a big house where Tag’s Plumbing shop is now located. His house was cut in two in 1942, one half being moved to Uncle Dick’s farm south of Esterhazy and the other half, south of Stockholm to our farm.
In June 1937, we moved to the farm six miles south of Stockholm near the Qu’Appelle Valley where I grew up. Dad had a teaching position at New Stockholm School for six months and then at Scandia School, almost across the road from the farmhouse. The farm was rented by a neighbor, Mike Koch, and the yard was overgrown with rose bushes and weeds. In 1939 or 1940, Mike gave up the farm as many young people left for the war, thus reducing help in the neighborhood. Dad then began farming himself, with two horses and little equipment.
I attended Scandia School with Dad as teacher until I finished grade 10. Most of the boys left school at the end of grade 8 or 9 but I had already decided not to stay on the farm. I often regret the passing of the rural one-room school. Older students learned to take responsibility for the younger students and beginners learned from older schoolmates. I believe it created a better social situation than in larger schools were students associate only with children of their own age.
The two red-letter days in our school year were the field meet and the Christmas concert. Scandia School set high standards in both, largely because of the encouragement of both my mother and father. I completed high school in the Stockholm Separate School, taught by Sisters Blanda Barilla and Rita Kulcsar. I am still grateful to them for the time and effort they put into my education.
In 1954, I graduated from Moose Jaw Teachers’ College and then taught my first year in New Stockholm School. It was then that I realized how little a year of Teachers’ College could prepare me for the realities of teaching in a rural school. After spending the summer at the university, I decided to see new areas of the province and accepted a position at Eastend, a pretty village in the southeast corner of the Cypress Hills. The following year, I was fifty miles farther into the southwest corner of the province, in isolated ranching country.
I decided then to leave teaching and spent the summer on ranches near Govenlock, and worked south of Eastend through harvest. For a while, I worked in a store in Indian Head. The work was much easier than teaching but didn’t give any sense of accomplishment. In January I went back to teaching, in a rural school south of Qu’Appelle. My next school was north of Ituna and it was there I met my wife.
On October 11, 1958 I married Jean Kozakewich, daughter of Harry and Anastasia Kozakewich. In 1961, we moved to Kelliher where I began teaching English in the high school, and where our first two children were born.
I had been taking university classes through the years and in 1964 we decided to move to Saskatoon to take a full year of classes. It was then that I specialized in Canadian History and began to write a newspaper column about western Canadian settlement, called “Prairie Trails”.
We moved to Wishart in the fall of 1966 where I became the Social Studies teacher. Three more children were born to us there. After a few years, we bought a house in Wishart and became involved in activities of the school, church and community. I served time as chairman of the Shamrock Teachers’ Association, mayor of Wishart, and chairman of St. Joseph’s Hospital, among other community activities.
For the past several years, I have taught Industrial Arts (shop) classes and Computer Literacy as well as History, and was also vice-principal, a position that I retired from in 1987 to reduce my teaching to half-time. I have not yet made plans for full retirement.
Allan Millham
Allan James, the eldest son of Jim and Jean Millham, was born December 8, 1962 in Esterhazy. He took his schooling in Wishart and at St. Vladimir’s College in Roblin, Manitoba. He worked as a service station attendant for several years, attending the University of Regina part time.
In 1987, Allan earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, and became a sales representative for an office equipment firm. He then joined Pastel, and later transferred to Direct West Publishers who now handle telephone directory advertising. He recently bought a mobile trailer in Balgonie and moved out of the city.
Sandra (Millham) Sikorski
Sandra Jean, the elder daughter of Jim and Jean Millham, was born November 26, 1963. She completed grade 12 in Wishart and worked for a short time prior to her marriage.
On April 16, 1983 Sandra married Myron Sikorski of Kelliher, son of Stanley and Kathy Sikorski. They have two daughters and live in Esterhazy where Sandra works at St. Anthony’s Hospital and Myron is employed at the K2 potash mine.
Lindsay Rae, daughter of Sandra and Myron Sikorski, was born on June 17, 1984 at Esterhazy. She attends Gillen School and is involved in figure skating.
Leah Danielle, the second daughter of Sandra and Myron Sikorski, was born May 19, 1987 in Esterhazy, and is also involved in figure skating.
Joanne Millham
Joanne Lynn, the second daughter of Jim and Jean Millham, was born May 1, 1967. She attended school in Wishart, graduating in 1985, and completed a hairdressing course at Marvel Beauty School the following year. She now works as a hairdresser in Prince Albert.
Joanne plans to enter the College of Education in the near future, and has a wedding planned for 1992.
Richard Millham
Richard Charles, the second son of Jim and Jean Millham, was born July 1, 1968, and attended Wishart School and St. Vladimir’s College. He is presently enrolled in the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan where he is taking classes in History and Computers.
Barry Millham
Barry William, the youngest child of Jim and Jean Millham, was born May 23, 1970 and completed grade 12 in Wishart in 1988. He attended Palliser Campus of SIAST in Moose Jaw and completed a course in Autobody Repair. Barry is presently employed as a painter at Royal Ford Autobody in Yorkton.
GORDON MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Gordon Charles the third son of Charles and Mina Millham, was born on March 17, 1935 in a private nursing home in Regina. Charlie was teaching at Stirling School and the family lived in the teacherage until 1937, when they moved to Esterhazy. Later the family moved to the farm south of Stockholm and Gordon attended Scandia School from 1941 to 1950. He quit school temporarily in the spring of 1951 to do the spring work on the farm and then completed grades ten to twelve at the Stockholm R.C. Separate School, with senior matriculation in 1954.
Post secondary education consisted of two years in the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, then a year at Saskatchewan Teachers’ College, Saskatoon, graduating with a Standard A certificate in June 1957. His first teaching assignment was in Pretoria School just south of Aberdeen, where he taught 13 students from grades one to eight.
On July 12, 1958 Gordon married Lilly Mae Eskelson Guest (born June 22, 1937), daughter of David and Lilly Guest of Wadena. The wedding took place in the original Wadena United Church. They moved to Moose Jaw where Gordon was vice-principal in Westmount School and then Queen Elizabeth School. Their first child was born in Moose Jaw.
The family moved to Nipawin where Gordon taught grade 8 from 1960 to 1962 before moving to Saskatoon for a year while he completed his Bachelor of Education Degree. He again taught in Nipawin for 1963- 64 where their second child was born.
In the summer of 1964, Gordon moved his family to Lemberg and began teaching high school maths and sciences. He became principal of the consolidated school in January of 1965. Jack Pekrul, the postmaster, invited Gordon and Lilly Mae to the first square dance of the season and with the encouragement of Jack and his wife Elsie, and Leonard and Elsie Schick, Gordon and Lilly Mae became avid square dancers with the Lemberg and Lorelie clubs.
The next move was to the Wadena School Unit for one year in the high school of Kelvington (1965-66), then to the high school in Archerwill. Gordon again served as principal in Archerwill from February 1969 until June 1970. Two more children joined the family. In an effort to continue the square dancing started in Lemberg, Gordon and Lilly Mae organized the Friendly Set square dance club and Gordon enjoyed a short but intensive career of square dance calling. The club was small but avid, dancing every week and traveling to nearby club dances.
In July 1971, the family moved from Archerwill to Saskatoon and Gordon began a seven- year stint teaching Industrial Arts in Aberdeen Composite School, commuting each day. Lilly Mae accepted a position with Printing Services, University of Saskatchewan, in February 1975 as a photo-typesetter, then switched to operating a Copy Centre in March of 1989.
In 1978, Gordon accepted a position at the Saskatchewan School for the Deaf and remained there until 1985. He is proud to have been involved with the celebrations in 1982 when the school was renamed the R.J.D. Williams Provincial School for the Deaf. During the first few years, Gordon obtained the equivalent of a diploma in Special Education (Hearing Impaired) and was instrumental in founding the Saskatchewan Educators of the Hearing Impaired (SEHI) organization and held various positions, including president.
In February of 1986, Gordon accepted a position in Gladmar Regional High School and in September of 1986, became vice-principal. The family remained in Saskatoon, however, and Gordon became very familiar with the highway system from Saskatoon through Regina to Gladmar. Since Gladmar is so close to the border Gordon was able to make his first trip to the United States, but only as far as Plentywood, Montana.
In 1987, he headed north, to Ile-a-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan to teach homeroom grade 8 and Industrial Arts. He officially retired on June 30, 1988 after more than 30 years of teaching but was asked by the school board to return for at least one more year. He continued to teach in Ile-a-la-Crosse, changing to a grade 9 home room for the last two years, until June 28, 1991, his last official teaching day.
During Gordon’s teaching career, he has taught children of two of his father’s former students—one at the School for the Deaf, and two in Gladmar.
Colleen (Millham) Sakowsky
Colleen Ann, the eldest daughter of Gordon and Lilly Mae Millham, was born in Moose Jaw Union Hospital on June 16, 1959. She attended schools in Kelvington, Archerwill and Saskatoon. Colleen graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She has nursed at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon and is now at the Royal University Hospital on the Plastic Surgery Ward.
On July 23, 1988 Colleen married Wayne Michael Sakowsky, son of Nellie and the late Joseph Sakowsky of Saskatoon, and they have a daughter. Wayne is now service technician for a dental equipment supplier.
Jenna Faye, daughter of Colleen and Wayne Sakowsky, was born April 3, 1990 in St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon.
Sherri Millham
Sherri Lynn, the second daughter of Gordon and Lilly Mae Millham, was born on October 4, 1963 in Nipawin. She attended schools in Archerwill and Saskatoon, graduating with honors from Evan Hardy Collegiate.
Sherri was involved in promoting soccer as a girls’ sport in the city high schools, and continues her interest by playing and managing the Huskies (U of S) indoor and outdoor soccer teams and working for the Saskatoon and District Soccer Association as assistant co-ordinator. She has completed the requirements for her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics and an advanced certificate in Psychology.
Lana Millham
Lana Michelle, the third daughter of Gordon and Lilly Mae Millham, was born in Kelvington Hospital on June 13, 1966. It was a small hospital with only one nurse on duty on the night she was born. Byrl was a trained midwife and delivered Lana with Gordon’s help. The doctor came in later to check on the mother and baby. Lana attended College Park and Evan Hardy schools in Saskatoon. While in high school and through her university years, Lana worked at Taco Time restaurants.
She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in May 1988 with a B. Ed. In Special Education. Following graduation, Lana continued as a Taco Time manager for another year, then joined her father in Ile-a-la-Crosse as a full-time Resource Room teacher for the 1989 – 90 school year. To the regret of the staff and students, she left this position to return to Saskatoon where she did substitute teaching in 1990-91.
Evan Millham
Evan David Charles, the only son of Gordon and Lilly Mae Millham, was born in Wadena Union Hospital on March 1, 1971 while the family was living in Archerwill. He received all his schooling in College Park School and Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon.
ALLAN MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Allan Robert, the fourth and youngest son of Charles and Mina Millham, was born May 14, 1939 on their family farm (NW2-19A-3 W2) south of Stockholm. I attended Scandia School to grade 9, Stockholm Roman Catholic Separate High School and Esterhazy High School. While attending high school, I worked on my father’s farm, managed and performed in a dance band, and organized, taught and examined Red Cross swim classes for the East Saskatchewan Region. During my youth, I was deeply involved in music, singing with church choirs, choral groups, dance bands, and as a soloist at public events and occasionally on television (CKOS-TV Yorkton).
In 1960 I worked at various trades in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Navy at Calgary in November of that year. Following basic training at Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, I was posted to HMCS Antigonish stationed at Esquimalt, B.C. where I trained as a Sonarman and was promoted to Able Seaman. A transfer to Fleet Air Arm in July 1962 and training at Naval Air Training School, Shearwater, Nova Scotia were followed by a posting to VS-880 Squadron as Observer and I served ashore and afloat aboard HMCS Bonaventure.
On December 27, 1962 I married Delaina Mabel Sadler of Victoria and two children joined our family prior to our divorce in September 1978.
In 1965, I was posted to NATS for advanced training and as instructor, and was promoted to Leading Seaman. From 1965 – 67, as a member of HS-50 Helicopter Squadron, I assisted in the acceptance of the Sea-King helicopter into the Canadian Navy, and again served ashore and afloat aboard HMCS Bonaventure. I was posted to VU-33 Squadron, Victoria in July 1967 where I served until my voluntary release in November 1968.
During the course of my service in the RCN, I traveled extensively. Initially, while serving aboard HMCS Antigonish, I visited Hawaii and a number of cities on the USA and Canadian west coasts. Aboard HMCS Bonaventure, I visited ports in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, South America, and the east coast of the USA. I periodically instructed Royal Life Saving Society programs and from 1970 – 79, taught occasional skin diving classes at Victoria area high schools, and regularly taught scuba diving for local Victoria underwater organizations.
After leaving the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, I joined the transit division of B.C. Hydro as a night maintenance worker while attending Camosun College. In 1970, I transferred to transit operator followed by promotions to relief transit supervisor in 1973, transit supervisor in 1975, and Planning and Scheduling Supervisor in 1978. In 1980, I became Supervisor of Operational Planning for the Victoria Regional Transit System, and was the founding vice- president of the Transit Management Association and later served as secretary. From 1979 – 84, I attended the University of Victoria and graduated with a diploma in Public Administration. In 1989, I left B.C. Transit and founded my own consulting company, operating in two separate fields. Millham & Associates specializes in employment service advice, and Allan Millham Consulting specializes in Political Campaign activities.
On July 10, 1981 I married Nan Griffiths of Victoria formerly of North Vancouver. Nan has been a teacher in Victoria School District since 1974. Much of our free time still centers around water activities; we are members of the Capital City Yacht Club and of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, and spend as much time as possible cruising the waters of the Straits of Georgia in our 1954 Grenfell Cruiser, the M.V. Chickadee. I still do some sport diving but have given up instructing to allow more time for other activities.
Since the mid-1970’s, I have been active in the Liberal Party of Canada and the B.C. Liberal Party. I’m a past co-chair of the Provincial Council, and am currently president of the Victoria Riding Association. Since 1986, I have been the publisher and editor of the Party newsletter for Vancouver Island, and editor of the Provincial Liberal Newsletter.
Scott Millham
Scott Allan, son of Allan and Delaina Millham, was born in Victoria, B.C. on September 29, 1964. He attended Oaklands, Sir James Douglas, Sundance and James Bay Community elementary schools, and Central and Cedar Hill secondary schools, all in Victoria.
Scott and Zaannetta Zaalberg of Victoria met in 1981. They have three children. After leaving school, Scott worked for a number of years in the moving industry and currently works in retail sales.
Audrie Delaina, daughter of Scott Millham and Zaannetta Zaalberg, was born May 30, 1983.
Kayla Dawn, the second daughter of Scott Millham and Zaannetta Zaalberg, was born July 28, 1987.
Tyler Scott, son of Scott Millham and Zaannetta Zaalberg, was born August 15, 1988.
Alison Millham
Alison Delaina, adopted daughter of Allan and Delaina Millham, was born in Victoria, B.C. on September 26, 1970. She attended Sundance, James Bay Community and Oaklands elementary schools, and Lansdowne and Mt. Doug secondary schools, all in Victoria.
Alison has worked in the hotel industry, and is currently studying Health Care, part time, at Camosun College.
DICK MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Richard William Millham, the fifth child of George and Isabel Millham, was born in Esterhazy on May 12, 1909. He received his education in Esterhazy and in 1926, obtained employment with the Royal Bank, working in Esterhazy, Moosomin, Lancer and Dubuc. In 1929, he moved to Chicago and worked for General American Car Corporation.
On May 4, 1933 Dick married Louise Kubik, daughter of George and Mary Kubik. Louise was born February 27, 1911 in Esterhazy and attended public and high school there. Dick and Louise farmed south of Esterhazy for 10 years before moving, with their two sons, into two where a daughter joined the family. Dick worked in Sandy’s Garage for ten years and later, MacLeods Hardware, until his retirement in 1967.
Dick joined the Masons in 1953 and is a past Master of the Esterhazy Masonic Lodge. Since retirement, Dick and Louise have spent many winters in Arizona, Texas and Australia, while continuing to make their home in Esterhazy.
HARVEY MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Harvey George, the elder son of Dick and Louise Millham, was born in Esterhazy on April 16, 1936 and attended public and high school there. He worked for the Saskatchewan Department of Highways and later as supervisor in quality control and production with Ipsco Steel in Regina for 25 years, until retirement.
On May 2, 1959 Harvey married June Schultz, daughter of Rudolph and Louise Schultz of Regina. June was born in Hubbard, Saskatchewan and moved to Regina with her parents. She presently works as an administrative assistant at the Northgate Mall in Regina. They have two children.
Kelly Millham
Kelly Adam, son of Harvey and June Millham, was born in Regina on October 30, 1959. He attended R.J. Davidson Elementary School and Thom Collegiate. His hobbies include playing guitar (he has received music awards), and cars. He is presently a computer technician with Sask Telecommunications.
On February 12, 1983 Kelly married Donna Lee Berner who was born October 31, 1964 in Regina, and they have a daughter. Donna also works for Sask Tel.
Krystin Lee, daughter of Kelly and Donna Millham, was born March 7, 1991.
Shelley (Millham) Lueck
Shelley Louise, daughter of Harvey and June Millham, was born November 2, 1960 in Regina and also attended R.J. Davidson School and Thom Collegiate. She entered Wascana Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in the Diploma Nursing program and graduated in 1981 as a registered nurse.
Shelley excelled in swimming and is a National Lifeguard/Swimming Instructor. In 1975, she was a provincial novice duet champion in synchronized swimming and in 1979, the provincial novice solo champion.
On June 5, 1983 Shelley married Randall Darrin Lueck who was born April 14, 1960 in Regina and they have a son. Randy is a high school teacher in Weyburn, Saskatchewan and Shelley is presently the owner of a franchise—Jazzercise Incorp. She also nurses on a casual basis at Weyburn Union Hospital.
Mitchell Thomas, son of Shelley and Randy Lueck, was born April 22, 1988.
DONALD MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Donald Royce, the second son of Dick and Louise Millham, was born on the family farm south of Esterhazy on August 4, 1938. He attended public school and completed his high school in Esterhazy.
In January 1959, Donald married Maxine Jurick (four years his junior), daughter of John and Lydia Jurick of Esterhazy. They moved to Regina where they lived for five years while Donald worked as a computer operator with Saskatchewan Health. They then moved back to Esterhazy and Don worked at IMC for three years in computer operations.
In 1967 Donald and Maxine, with their two sons, moved to Sydney, Australia. After extensive studying in the computer field, Don joined Qantas Airways, Australia’s national carrier, and is now a senior manager in the computer operations and telecommunications area. Maxine worked as a doctor’s receptionist for eight years in Sydney and now works as a secretary to a stockbroking firm, members of the Sydney Stock Exchange.
Bill Millham
William George, son of Donald and Maxine Millham, was born in Esterhazy on July 19, 1959.
On April 16, 1983 Bill married Karen Reed of Auckland, New Zealand and they have a daughter. Bill presently works at Qantas Airways.
Rachel Karen, daughter of Bill and Karen Millham, was born in October 1983.
Robert Millham
Robert John, the second son of Donald and Maxine Millham, was born in Regina in October 1964. He trained in the computer field and now works in Merchant Banking (Bank of New Zealand) in the foreign exchange money market division, as a settlements advisor. Robert lives at home with his parents.
MARIE MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Marie Jane, daughter of Dick and Louise Millham, was born March 3, 1945 in Esterhazy and attended school there. She moved to Regina in 1977 and has since worked as a nurses’ aide at Pioneer Village care home.
Marie has traveled extensively to such places as Vancouver, throughout the United States, and Australia, and is very interested in heritage buildings. GEORGE MILLHAM (by brother Dick)
George Leonard, the youngest son of George and Isabel Millham, was born August 31, 1912 in Esterhazy, and received his elementary and high school education there.
In about 1930, George moved to Ontario where he obtained his pilot’s license. He was a bush pilot for General Airways and died in a plane crash in Northern Quebec on May 23, 1936.
MARY
Mary Frances Millham, the fifth child of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Headingly on March 11, 1871 and was baptized there on April 2. She subsequently moved with her family to Minnedosa and later Hazelcliffe.
In about January 1890, Mary married William Merril Gordon, a homesteader in the Hazlecliffe district. Willie was born in 1865 near Paisley (Bruce County), Ontario and moved west with his parents William and Jane (Merrill) and family in 1880 to settle on NE28-18-33 W1. In 1885, Willie built his house and the following year, made entry for his homestead on SW28. By the fall of 1890 when his application for patent was approved, Willie had a 1 and ½ story house (22x26); log stable (20x60); 18 acres fenced with rails; 19 acres broken; 2 horses and 3 cattle. (See accompanying application for patent, and homestead inspector’s report.)
Mary and Willie had four children prior to her death on September 20, 1899. She was the first burial in Hazelcliffe cemetery on NW21-18-33, the site being donated by the Gordon family. In 1965, their daughter Dora had the grave marked by a suitably engraved fieldstone which was selected from the homestead quarter.
Following the death of their mother, the children were separated to be raised by relatives; Alvie stayed with his Aunt Carrie McGregor at Dubuc. Willie, accompanied by daughter Jessie, went to Sherbrooke, Quebec where, in time, he met and married Nellie. They came back to Hazelcliffe and the family was reunited for a time. However it seems, the children were very unhappy in that situation and were not very well treated. In 1914, the farm was sold to Fritz Schildemeyer and Willie, moved, with the children, to St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, northeast of Lloydminster,
In 1929 or 1930, Willie married Lillian from Foam Lake. They lived in Foam Lake until his death in 1932, followed by burial in Saskatoon. Lily died shortly after.
MARY AND WILLIE GORDON (1871 – 1899) (1865 – 1932) married 1890
1. Jessie (1891 – 1960) 2. Alvie Mirls (1893 – 1964) 3. Dorothy Laurence [Dora] (1895 – 1966) 4. Albert William (1897 – 1970)
1. Jessie – Alexander Menzies 1. Mabel – Alvin Christensen 1. Dorothy 2. Peter 2. Cameron – Florence Nodwell 1. William 2. Hugh 3. Dorothy – Arthur Thomas 4. Jessie – Ralph Lundahl 1. Susan 3. Roy 2. Betty 5. Hazel – Harry Reed 6. Margaret – Harold Ritchie 1. Eileen 3. Gordon 2. Jeanne 2. Alvie – Florence Black 1. Ralph – Irene Cotton 1. Perry 2. Blair 2. Gloria – Joseph Kozmeniuk 1. Stephen 3. Kenneth – Diana McDougall 4. Arla – Neil Humphrey 1. Elizabeth 3. Duane 5. Gordon 2. Douglas 4. Valerie 3. Dora – Redge Bolsover 1. Thea – Joseph Pisetti 4. Albert – Jessie Inkster 1. Vernon – Venice Bonneville 1. Linda 2. Daniel 3. Diana 2. Wylie – Phyllis Edwards 1. Rick 2. Wendy 3. Brent
JESSIE (GORDON) MENZIES (By daughter Jessie)
Jessie Gordon, the eldest child of William Merril and Mary Frances Gordon, was born October 25, 1891 on their homestead in the Hazelcliffe district.
In 1910, Jessie married Alexander Henry Menzies who was born June 6, 1888 in Bruce County, Ontario. Until the early 1920’s, Alex was an engineer in a salt plant at Dana, Saskatchewan, where most of their six children were born. He was then chief engineer at the Battleford Mental Hospital until his death due to a brain hemorrhage on February 26, 1935.
Mom lived in Vancouver until the early 1940’s, moved to Winnipeg for a few years, then back to Vancouver in the later ‘40’s where she lived in the upstairs of her Uncle Albert Millham’s home while her daughter Margaret attended UBC. During this time, Mom worked in the kitchen of Shaughnessy DVA Hospital. Later, she moved to New Westminster where she could baby-sit Susan while I worked. When we moved to Coquitlam into our present home, she moved in with us where she stayed until her fight with cancer in 1960.
For the last few weeks of her illness, she went to live with my sister Hazel in Oak Harbor. By that time, I had three children and Hazel had none, so Mom felt she would be less of a burden there. The day before her death, she was brought back to the New Westminster Hospital. Jessie died June 4, 1960.
MABEL (MENZIES) CHRISTENSEN (submitted 1990)
Mabel Sophia, the eldest daughter of Jessie and Alex Menzies, was born August 14, 1912. She taught in several Saskatchewan schools prior to her marriage.
On June 18, 1945 Mabel married Alvin Christensen and they lived on a farm south of Marshall, Saskatchewan where they raised two children. Alvin had been in the armed forces during World War II. Mabel taught school during some of their years on the farm. They separated about a year before Alvin’s death in 1975, and Mabel moved to Lloydminster where she worked for several years in the SPCA animal shelter.
She is now retired and studying at the college there, as well as tutoring young students who are trying to upgrade themselves for college.
Dorothy (Christensen) Flewell
Dorothy Christine, daughter of Mabel and Alvin Christensen, was born June 4, 1947.
On June 20, 1970 Dorothy married Robert Flewell, a garage mechanic. They reside in Lloydminster.
Peter Christensen
Peter Cameron, son of Mabel and Alvin Christensen, was born February 27, 1951. He graduated from Lloydminster Comprehensive High School in 1970 with a 85.125 average and received a provincial scholarship for his efforts. He then studied electronics at NAIT.
On October 18, 1988 Peter married Georgina Riel, a descendant of a brother of Louis Riel. Georgina has two children from a previous marriage. Peter and Georgina reside on the farm south of Marshall.
CAMERON MENZIES (submitted 1991)
Hugh Cameron, the only son of Jessie and Alex Menzies, was born November 30, 1913. He was a steam engineer and served in the navy during World War II.
On August 4, 1940 Cameron married Florence Betty Nodwell and they had two children. Cameron worked for years as an engineer in a hospital and later in schools in Vancouver. He is now retired and resides in Richmond, B.C.
Bill Menzies
William Cameron, son of Cameron and Florence Menzies, was born April 21, 1946. He joined the RCMP in 1966 and was stationed in several locations, including Shaunavon, Saskatchewan where he was sergeant. Bill has recently been transferred to Prince Albert.
On December 14, 1968 Bill married Marion Ann Meneice and they have two daughters.
Michelle Leanne Marie, daughter of Bill and Marion Menzies, was born October 10, 1975.
Christine Louise, the second daughter of Bill and Marion Menzies, was born March 24, 1978.
Hugh Menzies
Hugh Gordon, the second son of Cameron and Florence Menzies, was born March 7, 1949. He is a member of the RCMP in Armstrong, BC.
On September 12, 1975 Hugh married Maureen Elizabeth Neil and they have two children.
Shannon Kristine, daughter of Hugh and Maureen Menzies, was born August 21, 1977.
Ryan Michael, son of Hugh and Maureen Menzies, was born October 24, 1979. DOROTHY (MENZIES) THOMAS (submitted 1991)
Dorothy Mary, the second daughter of Jessie and Alex Menzies, was born June 6, 1915.
On March 22, 1941 Dorothy married Arthur Thomas who worked with the Bank of Montreal. They lived in Winnipeg and then Port Arthur, Ontario. They had no children.
Dorothy died of cancer in June, 1953. Arthur passed away in 1980, also due to cancer.
JESSIE (MENZIES) LUNDAHL (submitted 1991)
Jessie Gordon, the fourth child of Jessie and Alex Menzies, was born February 19, 1917. She graduated in Psychiatric Nursing from Essondale, B.C. in 1943 with a medal for General Proficiency, and from Vancouver General Hospital in 1946 with her RN degree and a prize for bedside nursing. Following post-graduate studies at McGill in 1946 – 47, Jessie was a nursing instructor, supervisor, and director until 1958, and nursed again in Intermediate Care after her children were grown.
On July 28, 1951 Jessie married Ralph Arthur Lundahl and they had three children. Ralph operated an electrical wiring business until his retirement. They have lived in Coquitlam, B.C. since October 1954. Susan (Lundahl) Zuckerman
Susan Fay, daughter of Jessie and Ralph Lundahl, was born June 5, 1952. She was on the team “Reach for the Top” in 1969.
On May 2, 1972 Susan married Charles (Chuck) Zuckerman. He is a longshoreman now, but was also a double degree school teacher. Susan teaches gifted children and was recently awarded a silver medal for distinguished service to her school district (Coquitlam). She has been granted a scholarship for as long as she continues her present pursuit and as long as her grades warrant it. She attends SFU (Simon Fraser University) each summer. Susan and Chuck have two children and reside in Coquitlam.
Marisha Ginger Jessie, daughter of Susan and Chuck Zuckerman, was born November 25, 1973.
Blake Edward, son of Susan and Chuck Zuckerman, was born December 30, 1981.
Betty (Lundahl) Hess
Betty Jean, the second daughter of Jessie and Ralph Lundahl, was born February 17, 1955. She trained as a hairdresser.
On March 3, 1979 Betty married Richard Alan Hess of Thompson, Manitoba. Rick is a metallurgist and works as a consultant in mining for Coopers and Lybrand in Vancouver. They have two sons and reside in Port Coquitlam.
Travis Alan, son of Betty and Rick Hess, was born October 29, 1979.
Scott Richard, the second son of Betty and Rick Hess, was born September 30, 1981.
Roy Lundahl
Roy James, son of Jessie and Ralph Lundahl, was born December 15, 1958. He trained as a heavy duty mechanic. His present occupation is cab driver and relief driver of mail trucks. Roy is single and lives at home with his parents.
HAZEL (MENZIES) REED (submitted 1991)
Hazel Ingersoll, the fifth child of Jessie and Alex Menzies, was born April 21, 1919. She graduated from Regina General Hospital in 1943 and held nursing positions in Winnipeg, Hawaii, San Diego, and Mesa.
On February 11, 1955 Hazel married Harry Reed, a member of the US Armed Forces. They have no children and lived for quite a number of years in Arizona, until their retirement. They now reside near Linden, Washington.
MARGARET (MENZIES) RITCHIE (submitted 1991)
Margaret Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Jessie and Alex Menzies, was born March 13, 1925 and graduated from UBC in 1948 with her Bachelor of Arts Degree. She then moved to Australia before settling in New Zealand where she obtained her Master’s Degree with honors at Auckland University. She taught school for a short period.
Margaret married Harold Ritchie in New Zealand and they had three children prior to a divorce. Margaret now owns and operates a very successful secretarial college in Christchurch, N.Z. A New Zealand newspaper article by Bruce Scott, in lamenting the apathy of the younger generation with regard to spelling, had the following to say:
“Mrs. M. E. Ritchie, principal of a Christchurch commercial college, is one of the doers. She has founded FIRST. It stands for “Fostering Initial Reading Skills in Time.” A large city firm, which must remain unnamed, is one of those which has bowed to the inevitable. Mrs. Ritchie used to give spelling tests to applicants for typists jobs for this firm. But recently the manager said: “Don’t bother any more. It’s hard enough to get a good typist without worrying about spelling.” Says Mrs. Ritchie: “Spelling is only the tip of the iceberg. It is symptomatic of a lack of grounding in the basic skills of language.” She once gave a spelling test of 50 ‘business words of moderate difficulty’ to a group of women. They were words such as psychology, parallel, analysis, arctic, and principle. Older women got 45 to 50 right. Younger women in some cases got as few as four right. Many of the words they did not attempt. So Mrs. Ritchie decided to do something about it. She wrote letters to newspapers throughout New Zealand…”Nearly all those who wrote were parents, and many were teachers or former teachers,” says Mrs. Ritchie. There were letters from university lecturers who said that the standard of spelling dropped each year. Mrs. Ritchie thinks the only hope of salvation lies in the return to the teaching of phonics, which is the relation of spelling—and reading—to the sounds the letters make. She brushes aside the fact that English is far from being a phonetically written language. “There is not a word in English which is not at least partially phonetic.” She quotes her own native British Columbia where phonics were recently reintroduced. The standard of spelling improved miraculously almost overnight. The look-and-learn system of recognizing words by their shape is no good. Children must be taught the sounds the individual letters and all the various combinations make. Children seem to take the many exceptions in their stride. Reading and spelling go together, and phonics help reading as much as they do spelling. With this in mind, she taught her own daughter to read at the age of 4. Spelling came as a natural corollary. On the other hand, she left her son to the mercies of the education system. By the time he was 8 he still could hardly read. Then, when he was confined to bed with illness for two weeks, she went to work on him with phonics, and had him reading passably well on his return to school. “I was amazed at his eagerness to learn once he had the key,” says Mrs. Ritchie. “Because he sensed that he had failed, he was developing a behavior problem before he started reading.”… Mrs. Ritchie hopes that FIRST will be able to awaken public feeling and be instrumental in reintroducing phonics into the schools. “But first we must see how strong the interest is. So we are playing it by ear in the meantime.” Of course, meny peeple think that spelling is purely sicologigal and that an analisis would show that there are paralels in many other lines. After all, it’s all vary well for the principil of a collidge to talk.”
Eileen (Ritchie) Alcock
Eileen Margaret, daughter of Margaret and Harold Ritchie, was born May 6, 1952. She has an R.N. Degree.
Eileen married Jeff Alcock and they had two children prior to a divorce.
Victoria, daughter of Eileen and Jeff Alcock, was born in 1975.
Blair, son of Eileen and Jeff Alcock, was born in 1977.
Jeanne (Ritchie) Kiddie
Jeanne Elizabeth, the second daughter of Margaret and Harold Ritchie, was born in 1954. She works for a New Zealand newspaper. In 1980, Jeanne traveled to Canada and visited relatives from Vancouver to Saskatchewan.
Jeanne married Ross Kiddie; they expect their first baby in June 1991. In 1990, Jeanne and Ross visited Vancouver, one stop on a world tour.
Gordon Ritchie
Gordon, son of Margaret and Harold Ritchie, was born in 1958. He is single and works for the same newspaper as his sister, Jeanne.
ALVIE GORDON (written by his wife Florence in 1989)
Alvie Mirls Gordon, the second child of Mary and Willie Gordon, was born August 10, 1893. As his mother had died at an early age, Alvie was brought up in the homes of several aunts, and consequently received his education in numerous Saskatchewan school districts. He mentioned going to school in Hazelcliffe, and his friends the Delmages and Bradleys. He told of carrying water for the school and of lighting fires in the mornings. One of his teachers was his uncle, Mr. Joe Greer. Alvie told of the necessity of wearing boots to school as the only weapon of defense against a couple of boys that ganged up on him.
Alvie worked at various jobs before coming to the Hughenden district of Alberta in 1914. He clerked in a hardware store, then went to the Cypress Hills to work on his uncle’s ranch and also for Mr. Ben Cheeseman. In 1951, our friends Frank and Annie Mossman and Alvie and I took a trip to the Cypress Hills and as we drove across the plateau, haying operations were in progress where Alvie had cut hay 45 years before. In the Hughenden district, he acquired the homestead NE23-39-8 W4 before buying our present home S 1/2 17-40-8 W4 from the CPR in 1919.
On April 21, 1926 Alvie and I were married. I was Florence Marjorie Black, daughter of Hector J. and Emily Ruth Black of Hughenden. Four children arrived in later years.
Alvie was an exceptionally good farmer and he loved the land. He worked very hard in the early years and in harvest time, would cut the grain with four horses and the binder during the day and stook late in the evenings when the horses were resting. He bought his first six horses from Dr. Barrick of Salvadore, Saskatchewan for whom he had worked in previous years. He brought them from Salvadore by riding Gypsy, the saddle horse, and leading Bob, Frank, Bess, Lucy and Nellie. They and their offspring were Alvie’s farm power until 1945 when he bought a secondhand Cockshutt 80 tractor at a farm sale. Our tractor experience was very limited in those days, but by trial and error we did learn, especially after I managed to get the tractor high centered on a rock we were trying to haul off the field, and other like incidents.
Threshing time was always a very pleasant and busy time. Stanley Millham, Alvie’s cousin and our closest neighbor, owned a threshing outfit and Alvie was his separator man for many years.
Much of our land was covered with poplar and willow brush and sloughs, and Alvie’s winters were spent cutting and burning in preparation for next year’s breaking with 8 horses, a breaking plow and a good axe.
Cows, especially milk cows, were never one of Alvie’s loves and he vowed never to have them on his farm. All went well until I came along and succeeded in changing his mind by instilling the thought of cream cheques that may help to pay the grocery bills. We thanked the Good Lord for those few old Bossies and the cream cheques when the 1930’s and hailstorms came along.
In 1928 we bought our only brand-new car—A Model A Ford sedan which carried us around for 20 years. In the early 1930’s, we built an addition to our little two-room home to accommodate our growing family and, money being scarce, we built a roof on it with very little pitch and used roofing paper instead of shingles. All went well until hailstorms shattered the roofing paper and we had more water inside the house than outside. Every time there was a shower, out would come the buckets and boiler. In 1936, we changed again by tearing apart a granary for lumber to build a peaked roof and even bought real shingles!
In 1945 when our country schools were closed in favor of bussing country students into larger centers, Alvie bought a vacant house and moved it into Hughenden, and we moved in for the winter months. We rented the farm out for a year and Alvie worked in the garage in town until 1951 when we returned to the farm.
In 1953, one of the most amazing experiences of our lives happened when electricity was brought into our community and in 1954 we were hooked up. Just imagine, we could have a refrigerator and didn’t have to haul cream, butter, etc. to the ice house by the well, and a deep freezer so we didn’t have to can meat any more. What a thrill to press a button and have lights instead of washing lamp glasses and filling gas lamps.
In 1962, we decided to build a new house and on May 1, the Nelson Company of Lloydminster arrived with our house material all on one large truck. A neighbor carpenter was hired to put in the basement and construct the house. Our son Ralph was on hand to do the wiring and other electrical work, set up the furnace and propane installation and other jobs, until tragedy struck our family when Ralph was accidentally killed while doing another job in Killam.
Since Alvie’s death on March 27, 1964 our son Ken has farmed our land and has added several more quarter sections to it with the necessity of bigger and better machinery.
(continued by daughter Arla) This is where my mother’s notes ended—she was found dead by neighbors in the kitchen of her home on Monday March 6, 1989, dying probably the night of Friday, March 3 or very early Saturday. She had been working on this history possibly hours or minutes before her death as these papers and pictures were spread over the kitchen table.
Mom suffered from high blood pressure and died from, in medical terms, “hypertension cardiac arrest” which we understand is very instant. She was a special woman and a devout Christian with an unwavering faith in God so there is no question in our minds that she is with Him now and completely at peace. She lived a good life. We have many beautiful memories of our Mom and Dad. Dad was also a very special person and I suppose, my “idol.” Although a very strong and rugged man, he was so kind and gentle. There were never many frills in our home but we were loved and cared for so well and felt very secure— such an atmosphere to grow up in! RALPH GORDON (submitted 1990)
Alvie Ralph, the eldest child of Alvie and Florence Gordon, was born August 24, 1929 and received his education in the Poplar Site country school and Sedgewick High School. He apprenticed in Electricity and obtained his journeyman’s and gas-fitting certificates at Killam, Alberta.
On June 7, 1957 Ralph married Irene Cotton at Knox United Church in Killam and they had two sons. Ralph and Irene set up a thriving electrical and gas- fitting business in Killam in 1958 – 59. Irene was a bookkeeper in Killam Co-op Stores for several years before her marriage and until their first son was born. She is a very busy person, being deeply involved in the United church in Killam, on the town council, and is a paramedic and drives ambulance.
Ralph was killed in an electrical accident on July 19, 1962. Irene was remarried June 10, 1973 to Leonard Fossen of Killam.
Perry Gordon
Perry Douglas, son of Ralph and Irene Gordon, was born August 28, 1959 and graduated from high school in Killam. He worked in the local drugstore for 2 years and a year in the Camrose drugstore until he decided to go farming and worked for a large grain farmer for several years.
On June 22, 1986 Perry married Leanna Farquharson and they have a daughter. Perry obtained employment with a carpentering contractor two years ago; at present, they are building a recreation complex in Killam.
Noelle Gail, daughter of Perry and Leanna Gordon, was born January 9, 1990.
Blair Gordon
Blair Kent, the second son of Ralph and Irene Gordon, was born July 23, 1961 and graduated from high school in Killam. He is employed by Killam Transit Mix, working there while in school, evenings and weekends, and has been on full employment since leaving school.
On July 23, 1988 Blair married Terri-Lee Pedersen and they have two sons.
Mark Kent, son of Blair and Terri-Lee Gordon, was born January 24, 1989.
Scott Douglas, the second son of Blair and Terri-Lee Gordon, was born July 5, 1990. GLORIA (GORDON) KOZMENIUK (submitted 1990)
Gloria Frances, the second child of Alvie and Florence Gordon, was born November 21, 1931 and received her education in Poplar Site and Sedgewick schools. She moved to Edmonton and worked for many years at Safeway.
On May 19, 1953 Gloria married Joseph Stephen Kozmeniuk in Edmonton. Joe, at that time, h ad a used car lot. He then went into the trucking business, moving house trailers, etc. and setting them up. Joe’s first love is horse races which he studies religiously.
With their son, Gloria and Joe lived in Whitehorse, Yukon from 1968 to 1973 where Joe was selling trailers and Gloria worked for Super Valu. In early 1973, they moved back to Edmonton. Gloria sold mobile homes for a couple of years, and is now operating a food concession business in an office complex.
Dale Kozmeniuk
Stephen Dale, son of Gloria and Joe Kozmeniuk, was born March 10, 1954 and received his early education in Edmonton and Whitehorse. He has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since he was 16 years old and has undergone many different operations and medications. He attended university in Victoria, B.C. until his arthritis got steadily worse. He moved back to Edmonton to finish university and received his B.A. in Political Science on November 21, 1981.
On July 21, 1983 Dale married Christine Rilla Bedford whom he had met in 1980 while she worked for Nova Corp. in Edmonton. Dale spent most of his holidays in Whitehorse (where his parents had bought property) and in 1981, he and Chris moved there to live.
Dale is employed by the Yukon Territorial Government as Director of Community and Transportation Services, Policy, Planning and Evaluation. He travels to many different towns in the territory, helping them plan strategy and keeping an eye on financial matters. He plans on continuing his education, with a Masters degree in mind, but for the present, raising his two sons is in the forefront.
Chris took several courses in computers at the Whitehorse University and is now employ ed with an optometrist.
Stephen Noel, son of Dale And Chris Kozmeniuk, was born May 13, 1982.
Joseph Landon, the second son of Dale and Chris Kozmeniuk, was born December 27, 1985.
KENNETH GORDON (submitted 1990)
Kenneth Charles, the third child of Alvie and Florence Gordon, was born September 8, 1936 and completed his grade 12 in Hughenden in 1957. He took two years electrical training with his brother Ralph but decided that wasn’t for him, as farming was his love. So he helped his dad when he was home, particularly with combining, and farmed with his Uncle Stan Millham most of the time. After his dad passed away in 1964, Ken has farmed the land and obtained land of his own also.
On October 29, 1983 Ken married Diana McDougall of Edmonton and took on the responsibility of being a father to her three children: Jim, 15 years, Shannon, 13 years; and Sonia, 11 years. The marriage ran into difficulties and in September 1986, Diana and the children left. They were divorced in 1987.
After harvest 1988, Ken took up long distance trucking with a local trucking company and is very happy with the job. He likes the trips to the United States the best. In 1990, Ken moved his mobile home from the farm to Edmonton and leased the land to neighbors.
ARLA (GORDON) HUMPHREY (submitted 1991)
Arla Elizabeth, the youngest child of Alvie and Florence Gordon, was born August 18, 1939. She completed her high school education in Hughenden and a secretarial course in Alberta College, Edmonton before being employed by the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, mortgage division.
On November 7, 1959 Arla married a neighbor boy, Neil Thomas Humphrey in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hughenden. Neil worked for the Northern Alberta Railways until the summer of 1961 when they moved to Calgary and he obtained his Journeyman’s Welding Certificate while working for Canadian Oil Tool, manufacturing oilwell drilling bits.
Neil was never content with city life so they bought 3 quarters of land in the Alix district in 1965 and set up a dairy business which continued until 1981. Now they have quite a large herd of Charolais cattle and have expanded their land holdings. Neil has purchased and raised several registered Quarter horses and spends many days and weekends trail riding in the local area and in the mountains. Arla doesn’t share his love of horses but goes along in the motorhome and “keeps the home fires burning.” Arla and Neil have five children.
Beth (Humphrey) Weleschuk
Elizabeth Gloria, the eldest child of Arla and Neil Humphrey, was born October 5, 1961 and received her education at Alix. She went to the University of Alberta where she took Education and now teaches in Grand Center.
On August 10, 1985 Beth married Jim Weleschuk, an electrician with Esso Resources at Cold Lake, Alberta where they live with their two children. Beth shares her dad’s love of horses.
Marissa Joy, daughter of Beth and Jim Weleschuk, was born April 29, 1988.
Amy Elizabeth, the second daughter of Beth and Jim Weleschuk, was born June 16, 1991.
Douglas Humphrey
Douglas Neil, the eldest son of Arla and Neil Humphrey, was born February 20, 1963. He received his heavy duty mechanics license from SAIT and NAIT, and works for Enerflex, Pamco Division, out of Edmonton. Douglas has a son.
Dustin Robert Douglas Marshall, son of Douglas Humphrey and Jackie Marshall, was born November 30, 1985 and is being raised by his mother in Alix.
Duane Humphrey
Duane Ross, the second son of Arla and Neil Humphrey, was born June 12, 1968 and adopted at the age of one month. He obtained his education in Alix and Lacombe, and lives at home to help his dad with the farm work.
Valerie Humphrey
Valerie Dawn, the fourth child of Arla and Neil Humphrey, was born June 18, 1970 and was adopted at the age of three months. She received her education in Alix and now lives in Calgary. Valerie is very artistic. She is presently studying Architectural Engineering at SAIT.
Gordon Humphrey
Gordon Scott, the youngest child of Arla and Neil Humphrey, was born November 13, 1973 and graduated from grade 12 in 1990. He spent the summer working on pipeline construction and is now working for Precision Oilwell Drilling, and living in Red Deer.
DORA (GORDON) BOLSOVER (submitted 1991)
Dorothy Laurence Gordon was born March 4, 1895, the third child of William and Mary Gordon.
In 1916, Dora married Thomas Redgway Bolsover and they had one daughter. Redge was a conductor on the CNR in Saskatoon. In 1940, Dora moved to Vancouver where she worked as manager, clerk, etc. in a small hotel. She died January 20, 1966.
THEA (BOLSOVER) PISETTI (submitted 1991)
Hazel Dorthea, the only child of Dora and Redge Bolsover, was born December 5, 1921 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and moved with her mother to Vancouver in 1940. Prior to her marriage, Thea was an office worker and later a radio operator.
On December 22, 1952 Thea married Joseph Pisetti. They lived in Calgary for seven years and at present, live in Pt. Roberts, Washington where Joe is retired. Thea works in Ladner, in a friend’s health food store. They had no children.
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ALBERT GORDON (by son Vern)
Albert William Gordon, the youngest child of Mary and Willie Gordon, was born September 22, 1897. At the age of 12, he went to work on a ranch in southwest Saskatchewan. In 1914, Albert joined the 44th Artillery Battery; he returned to Canada from France in 1919.
On November 9, 1921 Albert married Jessie Maud Inkster (born December 28, 1899), daughter of John Inkster and Herriott Swain of Winnipeg. Until the spring of 1940, they farmed near Prince Albert, where two sons were born. Albert again joined the army (in the Veteran’s Guard) until his discharge in 1946 in Medicine Hat. He built and operated an apartment block and a grocery store in Calgary where he worked until his death on March 11, 1970. Jessie continues to reside in Calgary, in a senior citizens’ home. VERNON GORDON (submitted 1991)
Vernon Mearl, the elder son of Albert and Jessie Gordon, was born on April 13, 1923. After high school in Prince Albert, he attended a machinist course and worked in a gun factory near Montreal for 2 ½ years. Later he joined the RCAF for three years.
On May 20, 1944 Vern married Venice Adeline Bonneville (born September 20, 1926), daughter of Frank Bonneville and Louise Terro of Cornwall, Ontario. After the war, Vern worked as a mechanic in Calgary for 20 years and attended 12 years of evening courses at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. He became a certified automotive instructor at Keyano College in Ft. McMurray, Alberta for 11 years. He then transferred to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology as heavy duty automotive instructor where he worked for 12 years until retirement. Vern and Venice have three children and presently reside at 5135 Dalham Crescent N.W. in Calgary.
Linda (Gordon) Ivanco
Linda Louise, daughter of Vern and Venice Gordon, was born August 9, 1951. After high school, Linda became an insurance agent and currently works in that field in Calgary.
On February 27, 1970 Linda married Jack David Ivanco from Outlook, Saskatchewan, and they have two children. Jack is a welder by trade and is presently in maintenance in Calgary.
Leslie Monique, daughter of Linda and Jack Ivanco, was born July 25, 1971. After high school, she is currently working as a dental assistant in Calgary.
Michelle Lynn, the second daughter of Linda and Jack Ivanco, was born January 9, 1982.
Daniel Gordon
Daniel Vernon, son of Vern and Venice Gordon, was born May 26, 1953. After high school, Daniel attended the University of Lethbridge, University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia where he obtained a Doctorate Degree in Economics. He is currently a professor of Economics at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
On May 31, 1975 Daniel married Gloria Judy Harrasym of Fort McMurray and they have two children.
Jillian Ashley, daughter of Daniel and Gloria Gordon, was born May 15, 1986.
Mark Daniel, son of Daniel and Gloria Gordon, was born September 3, 1988.
Diana (Gordon) Senger
Diana Lynn, the second daughter of Vern and Venice Gordon, was born January 1, 1955. After high school, Diana attended college and received a diploma in advertising and public relations. She currently works as a writer/producer for a Calgary television station.
On August 2, 1975 Diana married Ronald Eugene Senger from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and they have two sons. Ronald is in natural gas marketing in Calgary.
Gregory Gordon. son of Diana and Ronald Senger, was born April 15, 1987.
Steven Ronald, the second son of Diana and Ron Senger, was born October 13, 1990.
WYLIE GORDON (submitted 1991)
Wylie Mervin, the second son of Albert and Jessie Gordon, was born March 24, 1926. After high school in Prince Albert, he became an RCMP constable for three years.
On April 29, 1950 Wylie married Phyllis Isabelle Edwards of Red Deer, Alberta and they have three children. Wylie worked with Imperial Oil for 25 years, then joined the Calgary School Board Systems for ten years until retirement.
Rick Gordon
Rick Albert, the eldest child of Wylie and Phyllis Gordon, was born November 2, 1950. After high school, Rick became an aircraft mechanic and is currently living in Calgary.
Wendy (Gordon) Irving
Wendy Leah, daughter of Wylie and Phyllis Gordon, was born September 24, 1952.
On May 23, 1973 Wendy married Gordon Irving and they have two children. They reside in Airdrie, Alberta.
Jennifer is the daughter of Wendy and Gordon Irving.
Dale is the son of Wendy and Gordon Irving.
Brent Gordon
Brent Wylie, the second son of Wylie and Phyllis Gordon, was born August 23, 1955. After high school, Brent too became an aircraft mechanic and currently works in the transportation industry in Calgary.
On January 26, 1976 Brent married Sheila Brown. They have two children and reside in Calgary.
Deanna is the daughter of Brent and Sheila Gordon.
Scott is the son of Brent and Sheila Gordon.
JANE
Jane Ann Millham, the sixth child of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Headingly, Manitoba on September 10, 1872. When she was six years old, she moved with her family to the Minnedosa area and lived there the rest of her life.
In 1890, Jane married Charles Freeman Lamb who was born in 1861 at Parrsboro, Nova Scotia and moved to the Minnedosa area with his family. Jane and Charles farmed in the Bethany district three miles northeast of Minnedosa where they raised eight children. In 1924, they retired and moved into Minnedosa where they had suites for rent for many years. Charles passed away April 21, 1932 at the age of 71.
Jane remained in her home in Minnedosa until she suffered a stroke in the fall of 1945, and was bedridden for the rest of her life. Her daughter Alice Delmage moved in to care for her in June 1946 until her death on May 24, 1951 at the age of 79 years.
JANE AND CHARLES LAMB (1872 – 1951) (1861-1932) married 1890
1. Mary Matilda (1891 – 1972) 2. Charles Lemuel (1893 – 1931) 3. Cyrus Colby (1894 – 1967) 4. Alice Lillian (1899 – 1985) 5. Bertha Elizabeth (1904 – 1980) 6. Everett Clifford (1905 – 1933) 7. Albert George (1911 - ) 8. Florence (1914 – 1977)
1. Mary – William Delmage 1. Elsie – Frank Oswald 1. Fredrick 3. Warren 5. Mary Jane 2. Edward 4. James 2. Muriel – Harvey Schavey 1. Yvonne 2. Treva 3. Clifford – Edith Sewert – Winifred Hughes 1. Clifford 3. Janet 2. Lee 4. Pamela 4. Franklin 5. John (Jack) – Bette Wilson 1. Jacklyn 3. Cynthia 2.Mitch 6. Eva – Delbert Cornett – Nickolas Udick 1. Florence (Bunny) 2. Gerald 7. Mervyn – Nancy Mount – Joyce Faught 1. Constance 3. Mark 5. Cynthia 7. Deanna 2. Rhonda 4. Matthew 6. Michael 2. Lemuel – Elsie Kilby 1. Gordon – Dorothy Wilson 1. Gordon 3. Nancy 2. Donna 4. Diane 2. Robert – Helen Ruby 1. Gregory 3. Irene – Robert Gutjahar (family unknown) 4. Jack – Mary Jane Marks 1. unknown 2. unknown
3. Colby – Winifred Chilcott 1. Lyall – Isabel MacGowan 1. Timothy 3. Philip 5. David 2. Deborah 4. Keith 2. Everett – Judith Kirkland 1. Roger 3. James 2. Richard 3. Audrey – John Scott 1. Robert 2 Janis 4. Glenn – Irene Warren 1. Terrence 3. Randall 5. Lori 2. Marjorie 4. Russell 6. Ronald 5. Arthur – Naoma Norman 1. Mark 2. Kim 6. Harold – Rose Leggitt 1. Dawn 3. Douglass 5. Scott 2. Daniel 4. Harold 6. Craig 7. Alice – Raymond Ouderkirk – Harold Orten 1. Donald 3. Cheryl 5. Karen 7. Jeffrey 2. Jacqueline 4. Jonathan 6. Judith 8. Gerald – Beverly Danford 1. Eddie 3. Rhonda 5. Duane 2. Connie 4. Steven 4. Alice – Simon Delmage 1. Ernest – Ruth Kirby 1. Keith 3. Pamela 2. Janis 4. Valerie 2. Raymond – Shirley McPherson 1. Linda 3. Ian 2. Douglas 4. Colin 3. Albert (Bert) – Doreen Petrick 1. Mark 3. Heather 2. Michael 4. Fredrick – Viola Pollon – Irene Barnesky 1. Brian 3. Bette 2. Kimberly 4. Tyler 5. Everett – Gwen Dennison 1. Carol Anne 4. James 7. Robert 10. Karen 2. Deborah 5. Leona 8. Brenda 3. Barrie 6. Kenneth 9. Gloria
6. Kenneth – Marion Fetter 1. Joanne 2. Vance 7. Eleanor – Robert Scotland – Robert Shepherd 1. Judy 3. Darin 2. Arla
5. Bertha – Joe Brown – John Chilcott 1. Mabel 2. Sharon – Wesley Odle 1. Roy (Bugsy) 6. Everett – Ruby Dailey 1. Everett 7. Albert – Inez Leonard – Lila Horne 1. Foster – Bernadette McDonald – Shirley Callan 1. Thomas 3. Nicole 2. Patricia 4. Brent 2. Jacqueline – Gordon Larsen 1. Randy 3. Renie 2. Ricky 4. Kathrina 3. Charles – Susan Latta – Mary 1. Victoria 2. Karen 8. Florence – Samuel Mac Lean 1. Bruce 1. Teresa 2. Jamie
MARY (LAMB) DELMAGE (by daughters Elsie and Eva)
Mary Matilda Lamb, the eldest child of Jane and Charles Lamb, was born September 25, 1891 at Minnedosa at their first homestead which had a log house. When Mary was eleven years old, they moved to another farm with a larger house and holdings which they remodeled and which were more modern.
Mary did not get to attend school until April 1, 1899 when she was 7 ½ years old, and her younger brothers were old enough to begin. A fourteen year old boy who lived with the family was hired to drive them, with horse and buggy, the 3 ½ miles to West Hope School, which had been built by their grandfather James Lemuel Lamb. Mary attended school there until she was sixteen years old and finished eighth grade; she was unable to write her eighth grade papers the first year because of a pressing need for her help at home, so she had to take it over the next year. She took organ lessons for about three years, beginning when she was nine years old, and played the organ in church for several years.
Upon leaving school Mary took six months apprenticeship at Miss Maude Weir’s dressmaking shop in Minnedosa. While attending apprenticeship school, she became engaged to William Delmage who she had met when she was sixteen while visiting his home with her father. They both attended the Baptist Church in Minnedosa, of which William’s father was deacon for many years. After leaving Miss Weir’s shop, Mary remained at home assisting with the family until her fiancé could build a home.
On November 29, 1911 Mary married William Edward Delmage, the eldest son of Charles and Christina Elizabeth (Houston) Delmage. He was born in the Cameron district near Minnedosa on April 8, 1887 and attended Cameron School to the completion of grade 9 in 1904. He then worked at home on his father’s farm, was an apprentice in a blacksmith shop for a year, worked in the C.P.R. roundhouse, and again worked on his father’s farm until his marriage in 1911 when he acquired his own farm in the Cameron district.
While Mary and William farmed in the Cameron district, four children were born to them. In 1918, they moved to a farm in the Basswood district where another son was born to them. In 1920, a new house was built to replace the existing log house. Financial reverses brought on by the depression after the First World War caused the family to sell the farm and move to the town of Minnedosa for the winter where another daughter was born in November, 1921. In the spring, a move was made to Gilbert Plains, Manitoba where they built a home with a grocery store attached which they operated. The place was called Dutton Siding and had two elevators where farmers would come to get their grain ground, then shop.
In January 1923, William decided to go to the United States where he had heard there was work available in the steel mills at Gary, Indiana. This was the famous steel mills, known the world over. William secured employment immediately and on May 10 of that year Mary and the five children followed. They first lived in the Tolleston area in Gary and their home became the temporary residence for many settlers to come from their area who were also seeking employment. The family also lived on Filmore Street, Gary in a home the mill built for its employees. In 1925, William tired of city life and wished to move back to the country. He rented a five-acre plot with house in Garyton (a suburb of Gary), where they could have a garden, a few chickens, and a cow. While there for six years, their youngest child was born in March, 1930. Following several more moves during the great depression—which included Hobart and McCool, Indiana and a home on Highway 20—in 1935 William bought four acres from Mr. and Mrs. Kreiger for the sum of $95 (now located on Houston Avenue in Portage, Indiana). He built a house, which is still standing and in use, on the corner of the lot and sub-let the rest to his sons Clifford and Jack, and daughters Elsie and Muriel. All four built homes on the property.
William continued to work for the Sheet & Tin Mill and helped his children with building their homes. He had a garden each year, raised chickens and pigeons, and for diversion he belonged to the Oddfellows Lodge in Chesterton, Indiana. Mary was a housewife and a comfort to all her children. She joined the World War II Mothers (her sons Jack and Mervyn were both in the army).
William passed away suddenly in March 1952 due to a heart attack and Mary, in January 1972 due to cancer.
ELSIE (DELMAGE) OSWALD (submitted 1991)
Elsie Jane, the eldest daughter of Mary and William Delmage, was born December 19, 1912 in the Minnedosa Hospital and at the age of ten years, moved with her family to the U.S.A.
On January 23, 1932 Elsie married Frank Anton Oswald of Hibbing, Minnesota who, at that time, was employed as a lineman for the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T). Elsie and Frank had their first few homes in and around Illinois and Indiana because Frank, as a telephone employee, traveled around considerably. The AT&T Company was dismantling the telephone lines from North Dakota to St. Louis Missouri in order to install underground cable. When the job was completed, the family bought property in Crisman, Indiana (now Portage), their final move.
Their five children all attended Portage Township schools in Porter County, Portage. The four boys, now called “Unks” by the younger members of the family, excelled in sports in high school, especially football and track. Portage Township High School did not have a football field until about 1952, just in time for the boys to belong to the team.
Elsie did not get to complete high school so when adult education became available in the schools, she returned to school and after 2 ½ years, received that WONDERFUL diploma in 1965. She then worked for several years but gave it up because of ill health.
Frank died on May 6, 1973. Elsie resides in the same home in Portage that they built and moved into in 1939.
Fredrick Oswald
Fredrick Frank, the eldest son of Elsie and Frank Oswald, was born on September 19, 1932 at home in McCool, Indiana. After leaving school, he worked for ten years at U.S. Steel in Gary and is now a millwright at Midwest Steel in Portage where he has been employed for the past twenty-eight years.
On September 22, 1951 Fred married Nancy Mae Moore and they had one daughter. Fred and Nancy were divorced in 1963.
On November 13, 1965 Fred married Pauline Ann (Johnson) Lovett who brought a daughter into the marriage. Fred and Pauline had two daughters and were divorced in 1978.
On December 6, 1979 Fred married Mildred (Midge) Lorraine (Charbonneau) Moore who brought a daughter into the marriage. Fred and Midge live in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Gale Anne, daughter of Fred and Nancy Oswald, was born July 7, 1952. She attended Portage schools and later graduated from Illinois University at Champagne, majoring in computer programming. On October 22, 1977 Gale married Shelton Moore, a steelworker. They had one son Jake Wellington, born February 10, 1983, and were divorced in 1986. Gale and Jake live in the State of Michigan.
Pamela Sue Lovett, stepdaughter of Fred Oswald, was born May 10, 1953 and passed away on May 10, 1974.
Felicia Anne, daughter of Fred and Pauline Oswald, was born March 7, 1966 and graduated from Portage schools. She later graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington where she majored in graphic art and journalism. She lives in Chicago and works in Wineka, Illinois.
Melissa Lynn, the second daughter of Fred and Pauline Oswald, was born October 7, 1969. She graduated from Portage schools where she excelled in pom-pom girls in high school and was a Jr. Miss finalist in the pageant. Melissa is attending St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana majoring in communications, and lives near the college.
Kelly Ann Moore, stepdaughter of Fred Oswald, was born October 24, 1968. On August 27, 1988 Kelly married Michael Allen Hendricks and they have two children: Michael Allen II, born February 10, 1989 and Lindsey Rae, born March 28, 1990.
Edward Oswald
Edward Charles, the second son of Elsie and Frank Oswald, was born on April 25, 1934 at the Methodist Hospital in Gary, Indiana. He took six years of piano lessons but gave them up in favor of football practice which fell on the same day. Edward graduated from Portage High School and worked for Northern Indiana Electric Company where, at the age of twenty-one, he fell fifty feet while repairing a line. He spent three months in the hospital and was left with a permanent injury to his right arm.
On June 8, 1955 Edward married Phyllis Ann Isaacs and they adopted a son. Edward and Phyllis were divorced in November 1972. On May 25, 1973 Edward married Doris Westergren who brought four children into the marriage. Edward is now retired from U.S. Steel in Gary after 30 years, and is living in his new home in Union, Michigan.
Jeffrey Lynn, adopted son of Edward and Phyllis Oswald, was born January 19, 1962 and graduated from Chesterton, Indiana High School. He is a plumber and lives in Florida. Jeffrey is married but has no children
Duane Westergren, stepson of Edward Oswald, was born January 13, 1955. He is married and has a daughter Rachel.
Delene Hoenke, stepdaughter of Edward Oswald, was born March 23, 1958. She is married and has two sons, Steven and Christopher.
Diane Westergren, stepdaughter of Edward Oswald, was born July 8, 1959
Denese Williamson, the fourth stepchild of Edward Oswald, was born October 3, 1961. She is married but has no children.
Warren Oswald Warren Clifford, the third son of Elsie and Frank Oswald, was born on May 7, 1942 at the Methodist Hospital in Gary, Indiana and graduated from Portage Township High School. He is a semi truck driver for Kirley Industries near Tucson, Arizona, and also works in the office since he suffered a severe heart attack at age 39. Open heart surgery was successful and he has recovered almost completely. On June 10, 1961 Warren married Linda Jane Davis and they had three children. Warren and Linda were divorced in 1977. On August 19, 1978 Warren married Betty Carol Owens who brought four children into the marriage. They were divorced in 1980 and Carol (born October 6, 1941) died in 1988. Warren has never remarried but remains a parent to the stepchildren. They reside in Benson, Arizona. Thomas Warren, son of Warren and Linda Oswald, was born March 22, 1962 and graduated from Portage Township High School. He served in the medics for the U.S. Air Force for four years. He is also an accomplished musician on four instruments. Thomas was married while in the service and had one child, but he was since divorced. Amy Jo, daughter of Warren and Linda Oswald, was born March 19, 1964 and also graduated from Portage Township High School. She attended cosmetology college and works full time as a hairdresser in Littleton, Colorado. In 1983 Amy married Louis Assmussion and their first child is due in September 1991.
James Oswald
James William, the fourth son of Elsie and Frank Oswald, was born in Gary Methodist Hospital on June 25, 1943. At the age of nine, he suffered a serious ear infection which left him deaf in his right ear and also affected the side vision in one eye, a condition which caused his medical discharge from the marines later in life. James is an iron worker employed by Union #395 Hammond, Indiana.
On August 8, 1964 James married Cheryl Jackson who was born March 1, 1945, and they have two children.
Kimberly Marie, daughter of James and Cheryl Oswald, was born July 19, 1965 and graduated from Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, Illinois. She attended Thornton Community College in South Holland, Illinois and is a legal secretary, not employed at this time. On July 16, 1988 Kimberly married James Watson, an ironworker, and they have a daughter, Valerie Anne, born January 23, 1991.
James Michael, son of James and Cheryl Oswald, was born October 30, 1969 and graduated from Thornton Fractional South High School. He works for Keystone Securities in Griffith, Indiana and is attending college at I.T.T. in Shamburg, Illinois.
Mary Jane (Oswald) Geary
Mary Jane, only daughter of Elsie and Frank Oswald, was born in Gary Methodist Hospital on November 29, 1952. As a youngster, she took lessons in piano, voice and baton twirling. She graduated from Portage Township High School.
On April 30, 1978 Mary Jane married James H. Childers and had a daughter prior to a divorce in 1981.
On June 10, 1982 Mary Jane married Tommie Geary, Sr. who brought four children into the marriage, and they have a daughter. As a career, Mary Jane chose General Telephone of Indiana; she has worked in the office for close to twenty years. Mary Jane and Tom live in Burns Harbor, Indiana.
Jill Elizabeth, daughter of Mary Jane and James Childers, was born April 19, 1979 and is attending Yost grade school in Chesterton, Indiana.
Denise Blount, stepdaughter of Mary Jane Geary, was born June 8, 1965. She is married with three children: Christina, Richard and Nathan.
Tammy Patrick, stepdaughter of Mary Jane Geary, was born March 31, 1966. She is married with one son Timothy.
Tommie Geary, Jr., stepson of Mary Jane Geary, was born January 30, 1972 and is attending Portage High School.
Vickie Geary, stepdaughter of Mary Jane Geary, was born May 8. [sic] 1973 and attends high school in Michigan City, Indiana.
Sarah Rachel, daughter of Mary Jane and Tom Geary, was born December 22, 1984 and is attending grade school in Chesterton. MURIEL (DELMAGE) SCHAVEY
Muriel Christina, the second daughter of Mary and William Delmage, was born December 19, 1913 in Manitoba.
On September 10, 1931 Muriel married Harold Frederick Schavey, and they had two daughters. Harold was a union brick-layer until his death on April 26, 1967 due to cancer.
Muriel moved to Crocker, Indiana after Harold’s death and from there to a retirement village in New Carlisle, Indiana.
Yvonne (Schavey) Carlson
Yvonne Muriel, daughter of Muriel and Harold Schavey, was born February 4, 1933.
On June 10, 1950 Yvonne married Raymond Allen Carlson, and they have three children. Yvonne is a housewife and Raymond worked in the steel mills until his retirement. They live in Crocker, Indiana.
Debra Louise, daughter of Yvonne and Raymond Carlson, was born April 28, 1951.
Valerie Ann, the second daughter of Yvonne and Raymond Carlson, was born October 20, 1954.
Sheldon Ray, son of Yvonne and Raymond Carlson, was born September 14, 1959.
Treva (Schavey) Larson
Treva Lee, the second daughter of Muriel and Harold Schavey, was born September 20, 1938.
On May 20, 1958 Treva married James Byren Gibson but was widowed on May 25 of the following year.
On November 26, 1959 she married James Conrad Larson, and they had three children. Treva has worked for several years at an insurance company. James is retired from a telephone company and now self-employed repairing telephones. They live in Valparaiso.
Christene Frances, daughter of Treva and James Larson, was born September 9, 1960. She is married and has a family.
Patricia Lynn, the second daughter of Treva and James Larson, was born February 8, 1962. She is married and has a family.
James Frederick, son of Treva and James Larson, was born September 22, 1965. He passed away in July, 1986 due to a motorcycle accident.
CLIFFORD DELMAGE (submitted 1991)
Clifford Charles, the third child of Mary and William Delmage, was born April 27, 1915 in Manitoba and moved to the U.S.A. with his family at the age of 8 years.
On June 15, 1935 Clifford married Edith Ruth Sewert and they had two sons prior to their divorce in 1941.
On May 6, 1941 Clifford married Winifred Lucille Hughes of Hammond, Indiana where she had graduated from high school, and they had two daughters. Clifford was an employee of U.S. Steel’s Gary works for 38 years. He was a longtime prominent figure in Portage, Indiana politics as a Democrat and a member of the first town board when Portage was incorporated in 1959. For a time, he was executive secretary of the plan commission.
Cliff passed away suddenly in Snow Lake, Manitoba on September 10, 1973 while on a fishing trip. His nephew penned a poem in his honor:
My Uncle Cliff
To know him was a pleasure A man of both work and leisure His passion for living The unselfish giving Let loving express his life.
His love of nature and of mankind Made words flow freely from his mind A gift of great Insight and the ability to write Let poetry express his life.
His way with words enlightened some To others came laughter, where once there was none This man was much more than a poet A man of great wisdom and a prophet Let living express his life.
--by Mitch Delmage
Leon Delmage
Clifford Leon, son of Clifford and Edith Delmage, was born July 15, 1936. He graduated from Portage High School, and from Purdue University with a Master’s Degree in Engineering. He later received a Doctorate from Indiana University in Bloomington.
On November 10, 1958 Leo married Barbara Havert. They were later divorced.
On October 7, 1967 Leon married Phyllis Ratford from Valparaiso, Indiana and they have two children. Leon is now working as a mechanical engineer in the foreign theater for U.S.X. in the Indonesian Republic of Southeast Asia. Heather Ruth, daughter of Leon and Phyllis Delmage, was born August 25, 1972 and graduated from high school in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Eric Clifford, son of Leon and Phyllis Delmage, was born August 7, 1973 and will also graduate from high school in Jakarta.
Lee Delmage
Lee Edward, the second son of Clifford and Edith Delmage, was born February 2, 1938. He graduated from Portage High School and is now working as a special roofer on construction.
On October 7, 1957 Lee married Rita Nell Underwood (born April 16, 1941) of Lake Station, Indiana, and they have two children. Rita graduated from Edison High School in Lake Station and worked in the office of a grocery chain for eleven years.
Kimberly Joan, daughter of Lee and Rita Delmage, was born September 25, 1958 and graduated from Portage High School. She married Joseph Myak who was born October 21, 1957. Joseph graduated from Portage High School and Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and now works as an architect in Indianapolis. Kimberly is a housewife and mother to their three children: Joseph Matthew born May 30, 1983; David Lee born May 12, 1985; and Stephen Lynn born November 4, 1986.
Gary Lynn, son of Lee and Rita Delmage, was born October 28, 1960 and graduated from Portage High School. He works as a steel fabricator for Metro Metals in Portage. On September 19, 1981 he married Shelly Frazier and they had no children prior to their divorce in 1983. Gary married Sharon Marie Sherrard who was born March 6, 1963. Sharon graduated from Portage High School and a college in Indiana. She now teaches in the Portage school system. They have a daughter, Amanda Lynn, born September 10, 1988.
Janet (Delmage)
Janet Lucille, daughter of Clifford and Winifred Delmage, was born October 6, 1942. She has won many blue ribbons in running for the Special Olympics. Janet lives at Union St. Group Home in Warsaw, Indiana and has never married.
Pamela (Delmage) Bryant
Pamela Lynn, the second daughter of Cliff and Winifred Delmage, was born August 24, 1949. After graduating from Portage High School, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington for two years where she studied business administration.
On November 1, 1975 Pamela married Martin Lipshitz who was educated in Hammond, Indiana where he was born April 25, 1950. They had a daughter prior to their divorce in January, 1982.
On July 3, 1982 Pamela married Wayne Thomas Bryant who was born May 15, 1948 and graduated from South Bend, Indiana High School. Wayne is a service station manager in Elkhart, Indiana and the father of two boys from a previous marriage.
Courtney Marissa, daughter of Pamela and Martin Lipshitz, was born October 24, 1980 and is attending Woodland Elementary School in Elkhart, Indiana. FRANKLIN DELMAGE
Franklin Ross, the fourth child of Mary and William Delmage, was born January 17, 1918 and died March 7, 1918.
JACK DELMAGE (submitted 1990)
John Houston (Jack), the fifth child of Mary and William Delmage, was born March 24, 1919 in a log cabin on the Basswood farm near Minnedosa, Manitoba and lived in Canada until I was four years old. In January of 1923 my father went to the United States to find work. My family and I moved down to join him in Gary, Indiana in May of that year. I attended grade school at Garyton School and high school at Chrisman High in the small town of Garyton, now Portage, Indiana.
Upon graduation from high school, I went to work at the U.S. Steel works in Gary. I worked many different jobs at the steel mill during my forty-three years of service. When I was 21 years old, I became a citizen of the United States.
On August 16, 1941 I married Bette Mae Wilson, daughter of Harry and Hazel Wilson of Gary. My work at the steel mills and my young marriage were temporarily interrupted by World War II when I enlisted in the Paratroopers of the U.S. Army on July 3, 1942. I served overseas with the 101st Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division and the First Allied Airborne Army. During the war years, I became a father when our first child was born. I remained in the service for the duration of the war.
After the war, my family and I moved to Crocker, Indiana and bought a grocery store we called the Crocker General Store. We only kept the store for a few years and I continued to work at the steel mills. In 1947 we moved to Portage, Indiana where two more children joined our family. We lived in Portage until 1974 when I transferred to the U.S. Steel Mill in Pittsburg, California. I retired from the steel mills in 1981 and lived in the Bay area of California. In 1984, my wife and I moved to a little town near Sacramento, California called Knights Landing. All our immediate family also lives in northern California.
Jackie (Delmage) Wilson
Jacklyn Dawn, daughter of Jack and Bette Delmage, was born on May 20, 1943 and graduated from Portage High School. She later went to school for her real estate license.
On September 18, 1961 Jackie married David Richard Sharp and had one son prior to a divorce.
On November 30, 1968 Jackie married Gary Wilson and they have two sons. Jackie and her family live in Woodland.
Michael Kevin, son of Jackie and David Sharp, was born May 14, 1962. On October 2, 1986 Michael married Brenda Thomas. They live in Sacramento with their daughter Stacey Rene who was born February 16, 1988.
Jon Ashley, son of Jackie and Gary Wilson, was born April 21, 1971 and graduated from Lee High School. He attends Real Estate School in Sacramento and also Yuba College.
Christopher Orion, the second son of Jackie and Gary Wilson, was born September 24, 1973 and graduated from Woodland High School in 1991.
Mitch Delmage
Robert Mitchell, son of Jack and Bette Delmage, was born May 10, 1952. He graduated from Portage High School in 1970 and attended Indiana University for six years. He presently works for the State of California.
On May 4, 1986 Mitch married Carolyn McRoberts who brought a son into the marriage. Mitch and Carolyn have added a daughter to their family and reside in Knights Landing.
Mayo Eugene Howlett, son of Carolyn Delmage, was born April 30, 1971 and attends Ohio State College.
Robyn Ginelle, daughter of Mitch and Carolyn Delmage, was born November 20, 1986.
Cyndi (Delmage) Putnam
Cynthia Dawn, the youngest child of Jack and Bette Delmage, was born June 24, 1958. She attended the University of San Francisco and is employed by Putnam Insurance Co. in Oakland.
Cindi [sic?] married Jeff Putnam and they live in Concord with their son.
Justin Buford, son of Cindi [sic?] and Jeff Putnam, was born March 2, 1989.
EVA (DELMAGE) UDICK (submitted 1990)
Eva Mary, the sixth child of Mary and William Delmage, was born November 29, 1921 at Minnedosa, Manitoba. She graduated from Portage, Indiana High School in June 1940 (Commercial classes).
On January 20, 1940 Eva married Delbert L. Cornett. Delbert was born October 13, 1917 in Kentucky, the son of Archibald and Bertha Cornett, formerly of Kentucky, then of East Gary, Indiana (both deceased). He was superintendent of the American Bridge Construction Company 1944 – 1984 and is now retired. Eva and Delbert had two children and were later divorced.
On May 5, 1968 Eva married Nickolas Lalk Udick who was born May 5, 1923 in Gary, Indiana. He was the son of Katherine (Lalk) and Nickolas Udick (both deceased) who emigrated from Russia and resided in Gary. Nick graduated from Tolleston High School in Gary and attended the University of Miami in Florida. He served as a marine in World War II.
Nick is now a retired tavern and liquor store owner after 25 years in the business. Eva is a retired restaurant manager after 28 years of service. They live at 5435 Central Avenue, Portage.
Bunnie (Cornett) Brodie
Florence Mary (Bunnie), daughter of Eva and Delbert Cornett, was born April 11, 1941 and graduated from Portage High School in June 1959 where she excelled in business. She was employed by John Hancock Insurance Company in Chicago as a secretary.
On February 17, 1960 Bunnie married Lloyd (Bud) Frances Brodie, son of Lloyd and Helen Brodie of Burnside, Illinois. Bud was born June 1, 1938 in McComb, Illinois and graduated from Colusa, Illinois High school in 1956. He attended a two-year Junior College in Keokuk, Iowa and western Illinois University in McComb.
Bunnie was a housewife for twenty-five years and raised their five children until her untimely death at age 44 due to cancer on September 6, 1985. Bud is currently residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he has been the parts manager at University Volkswagen for fifteen years. Bud remarried in May 1987.
Elizabeth Anne, the eldest child of Bunnie and Bud Brodie, was born September 14, 1960 in Gary, Indiana and graduated from Manzano High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico in May 1978. Beth attended Oklahoma Baptist University and the University of New Mexico, and has worked for Gerald D. Hines Interests as an office manager for four years. She lives in Albuquerque and is very active in skiing, aerobics and jogging, and also loves to read.
Kathryn Mary, the second daughter of Bunnie and Bud Brodie, was born December 4, 1962 in Valparaiso, Indiana. She graduated from Manzano High School, Albuquerque in May 1980 and Moody Bible Institute, Chicago in December 1983 where she was personnel assistant 1987 – 88. Kathy spent the summer of 1982 in Europe doing missions work.
On August 6, 1983 Kathryn married Gregory Charles Gaffney, son of Wayne and Jean Gaffney of Union Springs, New York. Greg was born May 2, 1959 in Utica, New York. He is the head men’s basketball coach at Moody Bible Institute averaging twenty wins a season during the last four years. Kathy and Greg work in sports ministry and have traveled to Mexico, the Bahamas and Florida. They are very involved in music. Greg loves basketball and all sports. They live in Villa Park, Illinois with their two young children: Grant Wayne, born June 27, 1988 and Kaitlyn Mary, born March 15, 1991.
David Lloyd, the third child of Bunnie and Bud Brodie, was born July 26, 1966 in Valparaiso, Indiana and graduated from Manzano High School in May 1984. He served in the United States Air Force 1984 – 88 and received an honorable discharge in March 1988. On March 26, 1988 David married Trudy Fisher who was born July 26, 1966 in Johnson City, Tennessee, daughter of Donald and Eva Fisher of Great Falls, Montana. Trudy works for the ABQ Bank in Albuquerque and David works for the New Mexico Air National Guard, also in Albuquerque. They love to horseback ride; they both work out (lift weights) and swim. David and Trudy live in the mountains at Albuquerque where they raise horses, Dalmatians and cats. Their first child, Joshua Lloyd, was born February 17, 1990.
Brian William, the fourth child of Bunnie and Bud Brodie, was born March 25, 1971 in Valparaiso, Indiana. Brian loves music and skiing, and is interested in art, drawing and design which he studied at Delancy Street Ranch in New Mexico. He has since graduated high school and is living at home with his dad.
Kelly Eve, the youngest child of Bunnie and Bud Brodie, was born in Grinnell, Iowa on October 29, 1973. She attends La Cueva High School in Albuquerque where she is a cheer leader, and is actively involved in the Revelation Choir. She helps out at home and loves roller skating, ice skating, reading and going to the movies. Kelly is interested in going to college and studying to become a lawyer.
Gerald Cornett
Gerald William, son of Eva and Delbert Cornett, was born January 2, 1945 in Gary, Indiana and graduated from Portage High School in May 1962. Gerald excelled in math and football. He won a football scholarship to Missouri Valley College, Marshall, Missouri where he attended for one year, then transferred to the Indiana University in Bloomington to further his education in mathematics. He served in the U.S. Army as a military police from August 1966 to August 1968.
On July 29, 1968 Gerald married Assuntina Rosina Pandolfi who was born December 15, 1937 in Bolzano, Boyen, Italy. Tina was educated in Italy (four years of college) to be a seamstress and designer.
Gerald is a 26-year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers’ Local 150 and is employed as a construction crane operator for Hobart, Indiana Crane Rental. Gerald and Tina have three sons and currently live in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Robert Thomas, adopted son of Gerald and Tina Cornett, was born March 27, 1963 in Camp Ederle, Vicenya, Italy, U.S. Army Camp. He graduated from Portage High School in January 1981 where he excelled in auto mechanics and art. Bobby took first place treeing coon hunting in 1977, 1978 and 1979. On August 9, 1986 Bobby married Carollee Emburger of Wheatfield, Indiana and had a daughter Sasha Nichole born June 16, 1987 in Valparaiso. Bobby and Carollee are divorced. Bobby is employed as a fabricator/welder foreman in Chesterton. He lives in Portage and is interested in sports and drag racing.
David Daniel, the second adopted son of Gerald and Tina Cornett, was born May 6, 1964 in Camp Ederle, Vicenya, Italy, U.S. Army Camp and graduated from Portage High School in 1982 where he excelled in mathematics, wrestling and basketball. David won a gold medal in basketball and in 1980 qualified for a national wrestling meet. David attended Indiana University in Gary for two years where he studied Business Administration. He currently works in construction labor and over the road truck driving. His interests include all sports and Corvettes.
Gerald William Jr. (J.J.), the third son of Gerald and Tina Cornett, was born June 8, 1969 in Valparaiso, Indiana and graduated from Portage High School in May 1987. He is attending Indiana University in Gary studying Psychiatry. J.J. is an apprentice in Operating Engineers’ Local 150. He has received special awards in ¼ midget racing cars and was national champion in Tulsa, Oklahoma for BMX bike racing in 1985 and 1986. J.J. is interested in racing cars and bikes; also, he has his own three-piece combo band called Psycho Reggae.
MERVYN DELMAGE
Mervyn William, the seventh and youngest child of Mary and William Delmage, was born March 24, 1930 in Indiana. He was a member of the Portage Police Force until his retirement, and is now an electrician working at Mid West Steel.
On June 3, 1950 Mervyn married Nancy Lee Mount; they had four children prior to Nancy’s passing in 1963.
On September 4, 1965 Mervyn married Joyce Ann (Pavey) Faught who brought two children into the marriage. They also had another daughter. Mervyn and Joyce live on McCool Road in Portage, Indiana.
Constance (Delmage) Dolack
Constance Gail, the eldest child of Mervyn and Nancy Delmage, was born June 22, 1951.
On December 21, 1968 Constance married Thomas Archibald Dolack and they have two children. They live in Liberty Township, Chesterton, Indiana.
William Allen, son of Constance and Thomas Dolack, was born July 17, 1969.
Karen Ann, daughter of Constance and Thomas Dolack, was born July 29, 1975.
Rhonda (Delmage) Nelson
Rhonda Anne, the second daughter of Mervyn and Nancy Delmage, was born July 14, 1952.
Rhonda married Michael Brown and they had two children.
Rhonda married James Nelson and had another daughter. They live in Portage, Indiana and James works in the steel mills.
David Michael, son of Rhonda and Michael Brown, was born May 26, 1971.
Nancy, daughter of Rhonda and Michael Brown, was born October 27, 1972.
Wendy Marie, daughter of Rhonda and James Nelson, was born April 6, 1975.
Mark Delmage
Mark Edward, the third child of Mervyn and Nancy Delmage, was born November 30, 1954. He is married and has three children. They live in California where Mark works with his in-laws in a walnut grove.
Matthew Delmage
Matthew Allan, the youngest child of Mervyn and Nancy Delmage, was born April 18, 1958. He lives in California and is married with three children.
Cindy (Faught) Smith
Cynthia Ann, daughter of Joyce Delmage, was born July 30, 1959, and graduated from high school. She was married and had a daughter prior to a divorce. Cindy is now a career woman living in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Amber, daughter of Cindy Smith, was born in about 1978 and is now in Junior High. She lives with her grandparents, Mervyn and Joyce.
Michael Faught
Michael Keith Faught, son of Joyce Delmage was born December 28, 1962, and graduated from high school. He is married and has one child. Michael lives in Oregon and works at a shipping dock.
Deanna Delmage
Deanna Lynn, daughter of Mervyn and Joyce Delmage, was born June 16, 1969, and graduated from high school. She lives at home with her parents and is a manager at Pizza Hut.
LEMUEL LAMB (information from Albert Lamb and others)
Charles Lemuel Lamb, the second child of Jane and Charles Lamb, was born at Minnedosa, Manitoba on August 12, 1893. He enlisted in the Canadian Army during World War I and served in France, Holland and Belgium.
On November 2, 1920, in Winnipeg, Lemuel married Elsie Kilby (born 1894 in Manitoba). He worked for CN Rail before they moved to Gary, Indiana in the mid-1920’s, accompanied by two children. He was employed by a railroad in the United States, where two more children were born.
Lemuel died accidentally on March 8, 1931 when he slipped under the wheels of a train. Elsie remained in Gary until her passing on January 16, 1963.
GORDON LAMB
Gordon F., son of Lemuel and Elsie Lamb. [sic] was born in 1921 in Manitoba, and completed his education at Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana. He served with the U.S. Army in the Pacific area, 1942 – 45.
In 1944 Gordon married Dorothy Wilson, and they had four children. Following the war, he was employed at U.S. Steel Corporation where he was a member of U.S. Steel Workers 1946 – 69. He was also a former member of Portage, Indiana school board. They resided in Hobart, Indiana.
Gordon passed away suddenly on August 25, 1969.
Gordon Lamb
Gordon, son of Gordon and Dorothy Lamb, was, in 1969, enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Germany.
Donna (Lamb) Lowden
Donna, daughter of Gordon and Dorothy Lamb. [sic] married George Lowden and resides in Chesterton (as of 1969).
Nancy Lamb
Nancy is the second daughter of Gordon and Dorothy Lamb.
Diane Lamb
Diane is the youngest child of Gordon and Dorothy Lamb.
ROBERT LAMB
Robert, the second son of Lemuel and Elsie Lamb, was born in 1923 in Manitoba and moved with his parents to Gary, Indiana where he graduated from Lew Wallace High school in 1942. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea, 1948 – 50.
In 1950 Robert married Helen Ruby, and they had one son. He was employed by Sears Roebuck in maintenance work at Gary for a time before becoming self-employed in maintenance work in Garland, Texas.
Robert passed away in Garland in January 1962.
Gregory Lamb
Gregory, son of Robert and Helen Lamb, resides in Garland, Texas (as of 1962).
IRENE (LAMB) GUTJAHAR
Irene, the only daughter of Lemuel and Elsie Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana in 1926.
Irene married Robert Gutjahar and had a family. She is a registered nurse and has worked in California, Indiana and New Jersey. As of 1969, she resided at 112 Harding Drive, Washington, New Jersey.
JACK LAMB
Jack, the youngest son of Lemuel and Elsie Lamb, was born in 1928 in Gary, Indiana and graduated from Lew Wallace High School there.
In 1949, Jack married Mary Jane Marks and they had two children. Jack has been a management employee of Shell Oil Co. since 1950. Their residence is in Indianapolis, Indiana.
COLBY LAMB (by son Lyall)
Cyrus Colby Lamb was born at Hazelcliffe on October 23, 1894, the third child of Jane Anne and Charles Lamb. He lived his youth in a Canada that put a premium on sports, in a day when movies were a rarity, when radio and television were non-existent, and when the Sunday picnic was the highlight of the week, complete with its field and track events. Of course, church attendance was mandatory.
In 1914, Colby enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and was assigned to the 5th Battalion which shipped out to Land’s End, England shortly after his enlistment. They fought in France and in Belgium where they were subjected to poison gas that incapacitated much of the battalion. After time in a British hospital, Colby returned to Canada and was, by May 12, 1917, considering an assignment with the Canadian Militia and Home Defense Forces. He received a promotion to the rank of lieutenant. Following the “great war”, the Canadian government, besides granting a lifelong pension to Colby, offered him (and others) land opportunities through the Soldier Settlement Act of 1919. He did not accept the offer as he had made plans to migrate to the United States.
On February 2, 1921 Colby married Winifred Marjorie Chilcott who was born March 25, 1900 to George Frederick and Harriet Ann Chilcott of Rocanville, Saskatchewan. Colby and Winifred, accompanied by their eldest son Lyall, moved to the United States in November 1922.
Colby left a supervisory position with the U.S. Steel Corporation in the 1920’s to enter the booming construction business of the “roaring twenties” just after the war in Europe. He obtained his United States citizenship in 1928. A period of great land booms and stock speculation burst with the economic collapse that began the “great depression” in the autumn of 1929.
Colby, Winifred and family, which grew to include eight children, weathered the depression but not without a lot of shortcuts and planning. They organized the C.C. Lamb Decorating Co. which employed many people in a ten-year period, including family members, during a time when the national unemployment figures hit as high as 30 million people.
During the Second World War, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the enlistment of his two eldest sons in the armed forces, Colby began thinking about his second “tour of duty.” At age 49, when most men are contemplating that last stretch before retirement, Colby enlisted into his second war, this time as a carpenter’s mate in the U.S. Navy construction battalion—U.S. Navy Seabees. This occurred September 20, 1943. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California on April 6, 1945.
After the war Colby, following a brief stint with the Southern Pacific Railroad in Fresno, California, returned to Indiana and resumed work in the construction and interior/exterior decorating business. Retiring in 1959, he spent a happy period with “complete” attention to his Chicago Cubs (mostly on TV) and doting attention on his many grandchildren.
Colby passed away on February 17, 1967 and Winifred on March 15, 1979.
LYALL LAMB (submitted 1990)
Lyall Carmen, the eldest son of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born in Winnipeg on August 27, 1922. After graduation from Hobart, Indiana High School, in 1941, Lyall worked two years with the U.S. Steel Corporation prior to enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II (1942 – 45). Following the war and completion of studies at Valparaiso University, he began a 12-year stint as an industrial engineer with the U.S. Steel Corporation at Gary, Indiana.
On August 19, 1950 Lyall married Margaret Isabel MacGowan, daughter of Alfred Foster and Evelyn Augusta (Forbes) MacGowan. Isabel was born in Gary on April 10, 1932 and graduated from Lew Wallace High School there in 1950. In the early years of marriage, she did not pursue a career other than homemaking and raising a family of five children. In the 1960’s, Isabel completed two years of college requirements at the Riverside Community College.
Upon leaving the Steel Corporation in 1963, Lyall moved his family to Riverside, California, where they have resided at 11222 Norwood Ave., to the present date. After seven years in industrial engineering activities, Lyall and Isabel purchased a 7-Eleven franchise which they operated for sixteen years until their retirement on June 16, 1986. Travel to Canada and to family members’ homes in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, etc. has occurred once or twice each year since retirement. In addition, trips to Salt Lake City for genealogical research have been an interesting sidelight.
Timothy Lamb
Timothy Lyall, the eldest son of Lyall and Isabel Lamb, was born May 9, 1951 in Gary, Indiana. He completed Norte Vista High School—class of 1969— and three years at California Polytechnic College, Pomona, California. He also completed requirements for California licenses in both real estate and insurance brokerage.
On February 27, 1977 Timothy married Robyn Denise Jewell (born December 11, 1957 at Riverside), daughter of George Richard and Delores Irene (Schurch) Jewell, and they have two children. Timothy is employed at Rohr Aircraft Mfg., Riverside and Robyn recently qualified for her California Real Estate License. They reside at 11515 Flower St. in Riverside.
Ryan Timothy, son of Timothy and Robyn Lamb, was born November 29, 1981 in Riverside, California.
Megan Denise, daughter of Timothy and Robyn Lamb, was born March 25, 1985 in Fontana, California.
Deborah (Lamb) Traboulay
Deborah Diane, only daughter of Lyall and Isabel Lamb, was born August 18, 1952 at Gary, Indiana.
On June 22, 1972 Deborah married Eric Ashton Traboulay, Jr., son of Eric Ashton and Myrtle Edna (Dindial) Traboulay. Eric was born February 27, 1950 in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
In 1976, Deborah earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland. She is a counselor at the Women’s California Prison in Chino, California and Eric is active in California real estate and building. They have three children and reside at 5440 Sierra Vista Ave. in Riverside.
Eric Ashton III, the eldest child of Deborah and Eric Traboulay, was born September 7, 1977 at Fontana, California. He is active in sports and well advanced in the martial arts game and in soccer.
Kara Michelle, daughter of Deborah and Eric Traboulay, was born June 20, 1979 at Fontana and is also active in sports.
Ryan Colby, the third child of Deborah and Eric Traboulay, was born at Fontana on March 7, 1985. He, too, is active in sports.
Philip Lamb
Philip Lamb, the third child of Lyall and Isabel Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on September 13, 1954. He played high school football at La Sierra High School where he graduated in 1973, and attended Riverside Community College.
On August 17, 1974 Philip married Deborah Elaine Wilkins, daughter of Joseph Lawton and Mary Eloise (Cooksey) Wilkins. Deborah was born November 14, 1955 in Lynwood, California. They had two children prior at [sic] a divorce in 1981.
On August 21, 1982 Philip married Roxane Hensley, daughter of Kenneth and Delores (Thompson) Hensley, who was born July 8, 1952. The marriage has been dissolved.
Philip worked at the Women’s Prison in Chino, California for seven years as an architectural draftsman, guard and Special SWAT Forces. He is presently working in the medical field near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Caleb Stuart, son of Philip and Deborah Lamb, was born September 3, 1977 in La Grange, Georgia.
Kylie Michelle, daughter of Philip and Deborah Lamb, was born December 7, 1978 in La Grange, Georgia.
Keith Lamb
Keith Stuart, the third son of Lyall and Isabel Lamb, was born March 15, 1956 in Gary, Indiana and graduated from La Sierra High School in Riverside in 1974.
On April 3, 1976 Keith married Diane Caryl Woolsey, daughter of William and Lucille (Harnett) Woolsey. Diane was born January 22, 1957 at March Air Force Base, Riverside and graduated from La Sierra High School in 1975. Keith is in the printing business and Diane works in retail store management in Riverside. They reside at 2597 Mary, [sic] St. in Riverside with their three children.
Kevin Colby, the eldest child of Keith and Diane Lamb, was born February 8, 1980 at Fontana, California and is active in soccer.
Laura Rochelle, daughter of Keith and Diane Lamb, was born December 25, 1981 in Fontana. She enjoys ballet.
Christopher Jerry, the youngest child of Keith and Diane Lamb, was born April 22, 1983 in Fontana and is also active in soccer.
David Lamb
David Kevin, the youngest son of Lyall and Isabel Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on May 13, 1957, and graduated from La Sierra High School in Riverside in 1975. He is active in sports, especially scuba diving off Catalina and other Pacific locations.
David works at management and driving tasks at Pittsburg Plate Glass Co., and resides at 10811 Cypress Ave. in Riverside.
EVERETT LAMB (submitted 1990)
Everett Colby, the second son of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on December 29, 1923. He received his education at the Gary public and Hobart high schools where he played football. In 1937 Everett, teaming with brother Lyall, attained “celebrity” status with the completion of the first bicycle trip around Lake Michigan, a distance of approximately 1000 miles.
Everett served with the U.S. Infantry from 1943 to 1946, from the time of the Philippine campaign when MacArthur returned until the Okinawa assault which came near the end of the Japanese war. He concluded his military efforts with the Occupation Forces in Korea following the peace settlement in 1945.
In May 1949, Everett married Judith Ann Kirkland, daughter of Wallace William and Ethel (Freeland) Kirkland. Judy was born April 1, 1926 in Chicago, and was educated in the Illinois school system. In her early years, she traveled extensively with her father on commercial photographic adventures, including canoeing and back-packing the Canadian bush country. Following marriage, her main duties involved raising their three sons.
Although Everett had worked at a variety of tasks including work with Colby Lamb Enterprises and a short stint at the Gary Bear Brand Hosiery Co., his mainstay vocation was with the U.S. Steel Corporation for many years. In this capacity, he won several awards for improving steel operation and production.
In 1956 Everett and Judy, assisted by Colby Lamb Enterprises, built their home at 28 Ogden Road, Ogden Dunes, Portage, Indiana, in which Judy still resides. Everett passed away June 14, 1986, the same year in which he retired.
Roger Lamb
Roger William, the eldest son of Everett and Judy Lamb, was born April 15, 1951 in Gary, Indiana and graduated from Portage High School. He is a car fancier and mechanic, and resides at home in Ogden Dunes.
Richard Lamb
Richard Lloyd, the second son of Everett and Judy Lamb, was born in Gary on September 1, 1954 and graduated from Portage High School. He is a photographer and resides at home.
James Lamb
James Robert, the youngest son of Everett and Judy Lamb, was born March 5, 1961 in Gary and also graduated from Portage High School. He is currently pursuing photography at Purdue University in South Bend, Indiana and resides with his mother and brothers.
AUDREY (LAMB) SCOTT (submitted 1990)
Audrey Constance, daughter of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born August 31, 1925 in Gary Indiana and attended Hobart and Lew Wallace high schools.
On June 12, 1942 Audrey married John Robert Scott, son of Robert James and Florence Gertrude (Carter) Scott. John was born October 2, 1921 in Danville, Illinois. Audrey worked for several years after marriage and the arrival of their son; included in this “career” time was work as a salesperson, buyer, accounting, and special modeling of the clothing lines at a Glen Park department store. With the arrival of their daughter, Audrey’s lifestyle became that of a full-time homemaker.
John worked for many years as a sales representative of the Mail Pouch Tobacco Co. and in the construction business. After the family moved to Fish Lake, Indiana, Audrey and John operated a local business for several years. More recently, John has been a supervisor in the agricultural system for the Michigan City, Indiana Correctional Institution.
Audrey and John have resided at 5994 South Range Road, La Porte, Indiana for several years and at her passing on September 27, 1990 following a lengthy battle with diabetes and a heart condition.
Robert Scott
Robert John, son of Audrey and John Scott, was born May 22, 1943 in Gary, Indiana.
In 1969 Robert married Carole Gaw who was born September 11, 1951. They had two children prior to their divorce in 1982. Robert works at the Indiana Prison in Westville, Indiana.
Jamie Lynn, daughter of Robert and Carole Scott, was born in South Bend, Indiana on December 8, 1969.
Ronald John, son of Robert and Carole Scott, was born February 2, 1972 in South Bend.
Janis (Scott) Monte
Janis Robin, daughter of Audrey and John Scott, was born October 2, 1954 in Gary, Indiana.
In 1972 Jan married Greg Eugene Monte, son of Gordon and Ida (Brown) Monte, and they have two daughters. Greg was born April 9, 1952 in La Porte, Indiana. Jan works in the school system in La Porte and Greg is a Chicago building contractor.
Lisa Renee, daughter of Jan and Greg Monte, was born in La Porte on June 6, 1973.
Angela Sue, the second daughter of Jan and Greg Monte, was born November 6, 1978 in La Porte, Indiana in the same hospital where her great grandmother Winifred (Chilcott) Lamb was recuperating at the time.
GLENN LAMB (submitted 1990)
Earl Glenn, the fourth child of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on May 24, 1927. Educated in the Gary and Hobart public schools, Glenn played football for Hobart High School in the 1940’s just prior to enlistment in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in the Borneo, Indian Ocean and western Pacific combat zones from 1944 – 46. Like his brothers, Glenn played softball for the old West Side Civic Club after the war where his forte was second base.
In 1947 Glenn married Irene Elizabeth Warren, daughter of Robert J. and Ebbie (Coffee) Warren. Irene was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 26, 1927. Following the death of her mother in 1929, Irene’s father married Edith Christiana Gribbon who raised Irene and her brother, and later resided with Glenn and Irene Lamb to assist with the raising of their six children.
In addition to working at several secretarial tasks after graduation from Lew Wallace High School in Gary in 1946, Irene worked for many years at Doctor’s Clinic in Merrillville, Indiana. Glenn was employed with U.S. Steel Corporation’s National Tube Division from 1947 until his first retirement in the early 1980’s. Since his second retirement in 1989, Glenn and Irene have spent time renovating their home and the homes of their children, with babysitting grandchildren a prominent part of the program. They have resided at 1109 W. 62nd Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana since 1948.
Terrence Lamb
Terrence Glenn, the eldest son of Glenn and Irene Lamb, was born in Gary on March 16, 1948.
In 1968 Terrence married Shirley Meiselbar who was born on September 10, 1950 to Harvey and Edna (Cordell) Meiselbar in Gary, and they have three children. Terrence graduated from Indiana State University in Terre Haute and has completed work in the CPA field in Indiana. He works for Bethlehem Steel Corp. as an auditor in the accounting department; they reside in Portage.
Bradley Allen, son of Terrence and Shirley Lamb, was born June 22, 1969 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Melanie Jean, daughter of Terrence and Shirley Lamb, was born in Gary on May 7, 1972.
Jennifer Allison, the youngest child of Terrence and Shirley Lamb, was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on October 21, 1973.
Marjorie (Lamb) Maffitt
Marjorie Elizabeth, the second child of Glenn and Irene Lamb, was born September 19, 1950 in Gary, Indiana.
In 1968 Marjorie married David Maffitt who was born April 1, 1948. They have three children and reside in Lowell, Indiana. Marjorie has completed nurse’s training and works in an Indiana hospital. David is an electrician in the U.S. Steel Company.
Jodi Lynn, daughter of Marjorie and David Maffitt, was born October 4, 1973 and is active in sports at the high school level.
Julie Ann, the second daughter of Marjorie and David Maffitt, was born March 14, 1978 and is also active in school sports.
David Glenn, son of Marjorie and David Maffitt, was born March 29, 1979 and is involved in sports at school.
Randall Lamb
Randall Earl, the third child of Glenn and Irene Lamb, was born in Gary on January 31, 1957 and graduated from Merrillville High School.
In 1982 Randall married Louann Hert who was born January 18, 1957. They reside near Valparaiso, Indiana while Randall works at a steel company.
Russell Lamb
Russell Allen, the fourth child of Glenn and Irene Lamb, was born in Gary on December 22, 1958 and graduated from Merrillville High School. In 1979 Russell married Peggy Burtner who was born in Noblesville, Indiana on July 1, 1959. He works as a [sic] electrician in southern Indiana where they reside with their two sons.
Michael Allan, son of Russell and Peggy Lamb, was born September 7, 1980.
Shaun Anthony, the second son of Russell and Peggy Lamb, was born May 26, 1984.
Lori (Lamb) Hoge
Lori Irene, the second daughter of Glenn and Irene Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on August 15, 1960 and graduated from Merrillville High school.
In 1981 Lori married Albert Dupree Hoge who was born on September 30, 1958 in Ohio. They have three children and reside in Ohio.
Andy Dupree, son of Lori and Albert Hoge, was born March 20, 1982 in Toledo, Ohio.
Alan Earl, the second son of Lori and Albert Hoge, was born in Ohio on March 28, 1983.
Alysa Irene, daughter of Lori and Albert Hoge, was born on July 8, 1988 in Toledo, Ohio.
Ronald Lamb
Ronald Dale, the youngest son of Glenn and Irene Lamb, was born in Gary on October 5, 1962 and graduated from Merrillville High School.
In 1986 Ronald married Geri M. Halaschak who was born to William and Dorothy Halaschak on August 25, 1964. They have two children and reside in Boone Grove, Indiana. Ronald works in a manufacturing plant and Geri in a computer operation.
Kaci Marie, daughter of Ronald and Geri Lamb, was born July 25, 1988 in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Nikole Felicia, the second daughter of Ronald and Geri Lamb, was born in Valparaiso on February 19, 1990.
ARTHUR LAMB (submitted 1990)
Arthur Clayton, the fifth child of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on July 6, 1929. Educated in the Gary and Hobart public schools, Arthur attended Emerson High School when the family returned to Gary during World War II.
In 1946 Arthur enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi; at Rantoul, Illinois; and was stationed overseas on Guam, Marianas Islands for some years. On Guam, he was crew chief in charge of maintaining aircraft patrolling the west-central Pacific Ocean area. After his discharge in the summer of 1949, Arthur played softball along with brothers Harold, Glenn, Everett and Lyall for the old Glen Park Civic Club team.
In September 1949, Arthur married Margaret Naoma Norman, daughter of Everett and Adell (Smiley) Norman. Naoma was born November 24, 1923 in West Frankfort, Illinois. She was one of the few female family members to have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (U.S. Army Air Force, during World War II).
Self-employed in the air conditioning, furnace installation, and sheet metal business for many years, Arthur traveled extensively while completing contact assignments for such companies as McDonald’s. In addition, he still devoted much time to tasks requiring his specialty in residential and commercial structures in north-west Indiana.
Arthur and Naoma raised two children and resided for many years in Merrillville where Arthur and his father built two homes. In 1986, they moved to their present address at 639 Hollywood West, Hebron, Indiana.
Since retiring from ownership/self-employment, he has been active in construction sheet metal work with a parent company. Arthur and Naoma like to travel and will do more of that upon his final retirement in July 1991.
Mark Lamb
Mark Arthur, son of Arthur and Naoma Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on July 11, 1957 and attended Merrillville High School where he attained a G.E.D. award.
He is self-employed in the construction business and resides, as of 1990, in Hebron, Indiana.
Kim (Lamb) Gilbert
Cynthia Kim, daughter of Arthur and Naoma Lamb, was born April 1, 1961 in Gary, Indiana. She is a graduate of Portage High School and the Women’s Department of the United States Navy.
On August 7, 1982 Kim married Richard Wayne Gilbert who was born August 20, 1946 to James Richard and Alma Marie (Jepsen) Gilbert. Richard is a career U.S. Navy Captain. His job dictates frequent moves so he and Kim have traveled considerably. They have two children and currently reside at 12105 Aaron Drive, Morena Valley, California.
Kevin Richard, son of Kim and Richard Gilbert, was born February 1, 1985 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Jennifer Leigh, daughter of Kim and Richard Gilbert, was born in Brunswick, Maine on February 4, 1988.
HAROLD LAMB (submitted 1990)
Harold Kendall, the fifth son and sixth child of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on March 13, 1932. Educated in the Gary and Hobart public schools, Harold played football at Emerson High School when the family returned to Gary during World War II, and the post-war years. A well-coordinated sportsman, Harold was an outstanding first baseman for the old Glen Park Civic Club at the tender age of 14. He was an excellent glove man; his forte was the bunt. Harold had his own basketball team for some years, traveling around the country with his team in an antiquated 1930-style Buick, actually a limousine complete with jump seats. In 1984, Harold was still prominent in the Indiana horseshoe circuit, winning a considerable number of awards.
In November 1951, Harold married Rose June Leggitt, daughter of Hershel Golden and Opal Marie (Hunt) Leggitt. Rose was born in Gary on August 31, 1931 and was educated in the Merrillville public schools. She has a keen interest in the history and geography of the Calumet region where she was born, and the many changes that have occurred since the early days prior to the settling of Gary in 1906. All of this is in addition to patiently supporting Harold in his various sports endeavors over the years. Rose worked for a short time for the Buffington Cement Division of U.S. Steel and intermittently at various clerical tasks while raising their family of five children. Harold served with the U.S. Army 1952 – 54, spending most of his time overseas at various billets in Germany.
A steel worker, like most of his brothers, Harold has been employed at the U.S. Steel Corporation Sheet and Tin Division for many years. Harold and Rose reside at 533 W. 67th Place, Merrillville, Indiana.
Dawn (Lamb) Kacmar
Dawn Marie, the only daughter of Harold and Rose Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on August 27, 1955 and graduated from Merrillville High School.
In 1973 Dawn married John Kacmar who was born to John and Ruth (Keilman) Kacmar in April 1952. They had two children and have since divorced. Dawn resides in Valparaiso, Indiana and works for the U.S. Post Office.
Eve Elizabeth, daughter of Dawn and John Kacmar, was born in Valparaiso on November 29, 1975.
John Jeffrey, son of Dawn and John Kacmar, was born April 10, 1981 in Valparaiso. Daniel Lamb
Daniel Richard, the eldest son of Harold and Rose Lamb, was born in Gary on January 25, 1957 and graduated from Merrillville High School.
In 1983 Daniel married Jane Hamady, daughter of Michael and Mary Hamady. Jane was born March 22, 1948 and has two sons. Daniel works for an Indiana fire department and they reside near Valparaiso.
Ronald Beach, son of Jane Lamb, was born June 13, 1972.
Timothy Beach, the second son of Jane Lamb, was born May 29, 1976.
Douglass Lamb
Douglass Kendall, the third child of Harold and Rose Lamb, was born October 21, 1958 in Gary, and is a graduate of Merrillville High School.
On January 8, 1988 Douglass married Michelle Mathews who was born to Robert and Winifred (Hann) Mathews on June 13, 1961. Following their marriage in Las Vegas, Nevada, Douglass and Michelle visited Riverside, California and Los Angeles where they appeared on the television game show, “The Price is Right”, with Bob Barker. Douglass, a finalist on the show, won an automobile and a cooking range. A video film of this event is available and includes Philip and David Lamb along with Douglass and Michelle.
Douglass works for the Roadway Transport Co. They reside at 8019 Taney Place, Merrillville, Indiana with their two sons.
Mitchell Douglass, son of Douglass and Michelle Lamb, was born in Crown Point, Indiana on December 20, 1988.
Kyle Robert, the second son of Douglass and Michelle Lamb, was born in Oaklawn, Illinois on January 31, 1990.
Harold Lamb
Harold Kendall, the fourth child born to Harold and Rose Lamb, died shortly after his birth on October 18, 1962 in Gary, Indiana.
Scott Lamb
Scott Arthur, the fourth son of Harold and Rose Lamb, was born on October 11, 1964 and graduated from Merrillville High School.
In 1984 Scott married Patricia Susan Naughton (born September 26, 1965), daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Naughton. Scott and Patricia have three children.
Kristin Nicole, daughter of Scott and Patricia Lamb, was born in Crown Point, Indiana on March 30, 1986.
Kara Megan, the second daughter of Scott and Patricia Lamb, was born January 23, 1989 in Crown Point. Jacob Scott, son of Scott and Patricia Lamb, was born in Crown Point on November 5, 1990.
Craig Schoenfeld
Craig Patrick Schoenfeld was born in Gary, Indiana on December 6, 1963. Although not formally adopted, he was raised as a Lamb from an early age.
ALICE (LAMB) ORTEN (submitted 1990)
Alice Winifred, the second daughter of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on September 5, 1933, and educated in the Hobart and Gary public schools.
In May 1949 Alice married Raymond Donald Ouderkirk who was born July 26, 1924. They had one son prior to their divorce.
In 1957 Alice married Harold Jessie Orten who was born in Zion, Kentucky on October 27, 1935. Harold worked for the U.S. Steel Corporation, Sheet and Tin Division, for many years. He received recognition on several occasions for cost-saving ideas, for which he received monetary awards. Harold retired in 1988.
Alice has worked at a variety of clerical jobs: for the Belles Drugstore chain, Reynolds Aluminum Co., and Mobil Co., Merrillville. Currently (1990), she works in a photo processing lab. In addition, Alice has devoted considerable time to the raising of seven children over the years. They reside at 8312 E. 101st St., Crown Point, Indiana.
Donald Ouderkirk
Donald Colby, son of Alice and Raymond Ouderkirk, was born in Gary on May 15, 1950.
In 1969 Donald married Grace Alta Rund (born May 1, 1952), and they have two daughters.
Lori Ann, daughter of Donald and Grace Ouderkirk, was born in Gary on January 25, 1970. Amy Lynette, the second daughter of Donald and Grace Ouderkirk, was born May 30, 1973 in Gary Indiana.
Jacqueline (Orten) Bloch
Jacqueline, the eldest daughter of Alice and Harold Orten, was born in Gary on March 7, 1958.
In 1981 Jacqueline married Michael Bloch who was born June 9, 1956, and they have three children.
Christine Diane Orten, daughter of Jacqueline Bloch, was born in Gary Indiana on March 6, 1975.
Jason A. Bloch, is the son of Michael Bloch from a previous relationship.
Jenette Nicole, daughter of Jacqueline and Michael Bloch, was born in Merrillville, Indiana on September 21, 1983.
Cheryl (Orten) Holley
Cheryl Denise, the second daughter of Alice and Harold Orten, was born June 11, 1959 in Gary.
In 1978 Cheryl married Daniel James Davis (born October 12, 1956) and had one son prior to a divorce.
In 1986 Cheryl married Edward Holley.
Joshua James, son of Cheryl and Daniel Davis, was born February 28, 1979.
Jonathan Orten
Jonathan Craig, the third child of Alice and Harold Orten, was born in Gary on April 15, 1963 and attended Merrillville High School. He served in the U.S. Marines and currently (1990) resides in Virginia.
Karen (Orten) Thompson
Karen Regina, the third daughter of Alice and Harold Orten, was born January 10, 1966 in Gary, Indiana.
In 1983 Karen married Bradley Thompson and they have one son.
Shawn Matthew, son of Karen and Bradley Thompson, was born in Merrillville on September 13, 1983.
Judith Orten
Judith Deanne, the fifth child of Alice and Harold Orten, was born in Gary on May 29, 1967. She has two daughters.
Jessica Allison, daughter of Judith Orten, was born in Indiana in 1982.
Angela Renee, the second daughter of Judith Orten, was born in 1985.
Jeffrey Orten
Jeffrey Kenneth, the youngest child of Alice and Harold Orten, was born October 17, 1968 in Gary, Indiana.
In 1989 Jeffrey married Veronica Lynn Moore, daughter of Bobby Sr. and Mrs. Moore. He is currently in the U.S. Military Service, last stationed in the southern United States.
GERALD LAMB (submitted 1990)
Gerald Dennis, the youngest child of Colby and Winifred Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on June 4, 1941, and was educated there. He showed an early aptitude for things mechanical, developing, in the early 1950’s, a so-called sand or dune buggy, a pioneering effort. It appeared to be the first of its kind at the time; the prototype built from the skeleton of an antiquated Plymouth.
In 1960 Gerald married Beverly Elaine Danford, daughter of Arnold Warren and Edna (Lemster) Danford. Beverly was born in East Gary (Lake Station), Indiana on July 1, 1939. Gerald and Beverly have raised five children, and their interests have centered on the sports enthusiasm of the children. In addition, Gerald sponsored and participated in area stock car racing (and victories) with his sons.
Gerald and Beverly successfully operated a mobile-mechanical service station in Merrillville, Indiana for 15 years (1971 – 1986) employing, at various times, several members of their extended family. They have resided at 1313 W. 61st Avenue, Merrillville since 1963. Gerald is currently (1990) self-employed with his own business, a garage and towing service, in Merrillville.
Eddie Lamb
Gerald Edward, son of Gerald and Beverly Lamb, was born in Gary on June 24, 1961 and attended Merrillville High School. He became an outstanding performer in motorcycle racing where he won innumerable awards and trophies, and also participated in stock car racing.
In 1980 Eddie married April Reed, daughter of Ralph and Linda (Kelley) Reed. They had one son and are now divorced. Eddie resides in Merrillville and is self-employed in the garage business.
Michael Edward, son of Eddie and April Lamb, was born May 13, 1981 in Indiana.
Connie (Lamb) Hixon
Connie Sue, the second child of Gerald and Beverly Lamb, was born in Gary on May 4, 1964. She was active in martial arts and received recognition locally as well as nationally.
On June 24, 1989 Connie married Jeffrey Hixon (born June 25, 1960) in Crown Point, Indiana.
Rhonda (Lamb) Fromm
Rhonda Michelle, the second daughter of Gerald and Beverly Lamb, was born March 10, 1966 in Gary. Her performance in the martial arts also gained her recognition locally, and nationally in a Florida tournament.
In 1987 Rhonda married Steven Edward Fromm, son of Mr. & Mrs. Stephan W. Fromm, and they have one child.
Zachary Wayne, son of Rhonda and Steven Fromm, was born March 28, 1989 in Germany during the military assignment of his father with Btry B. 5/17 Fa. APO, New York, NY, (U.S. Army).
Steven Lamb
Steven Mitchell, the fourth child of Gerald and Beverly Lamb, was born March 30, 1969 in Gary and graduated from Merrillvile High School. He has participated in stock car racing and currently works with his father in the family business.
On September 15, 1990 Steven married Amy Elizabeth Erdelles, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Erdelles, in Merrillville.
Duane Lamb
Duane Allen, the youngest child of Gerald and Beverly Lamb, was born in Gary, Indiana on August 9, 1974. He has competed in bicycle competitions.
ALICE (LAMB) DELMAGE (by daughter Eleanor)
Alice Lillian Lamb, the fourth child of Jane and Charles Lamb, was born May 3, 1899 on her parents’ farm northeast of Minnedosa, Manitoba.
On January 9, 1917 Alice married Simon Charles Delmage, third son of Charles and Elizabeth (Houston) Delmage of Minnedosa. They farmed in the Cameron district north of Minnedosa, except for one year at Basswood (1919 – 20), and raised a family of six sons and one daughter.
Simon passed away on May 8, 1945 at the age of 53 years. In 1946, Alice moved into Minnedosa to care for her mother.
Alice had many friends but her greatest interest was in her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She babysat for and lived with her daughter Eleanor and Robert Scotland for seventeen years. Alice then moved to Townview Manor for eleven years and spent her last seven months in the Minnedosa Hospital and care home prior to her death on June 14, 1985 at the age of 86 years.
ERNEST DELMAGE (submitted 1988)
Ernest Charles, the eldest son of Alice and Simon Delmage, was born September 2, 1917. He attended Cameron Consolidated School and completed grade 10, then began helping his father on the farm. He was very active in baseball, hockey and football, and played the fiddle at dances.
In March 1936, Ernie joined the local non-permanent active militia (12th Manitoba Dragoons) where he was promoted to the rank of Forage Sergeant—the unit was using horses at that time. In January 1941, he went to Camp Borden, Ontario and in March, joined the Canadian Army active force. He was again promoted to Sergeant and became a tank instructor in the A8 Canadian Armored Corps School. In the fall of 1942, Ernie joined the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps and proceeded to Camp Delbert, Nova Scotia where he joined the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers. He then went overseas with the 48th L.A.D. attached to the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Armored Division. In the fall of 1943, Ernie was promoted to Artisan Staff Sergeant when the division moved to Norfolk, England for a large scheme. While in Norfolk, he met Emma Ruth Kirby, the eldest daughter of Alfred and Edith Kirby. On January 8, 1944 Ernie married Ruth Kirby in St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Sedgeford, Norfolk, England. Ruth was born September 6, 1923 at Sedgeford and completed grade twelve there. She was a member of the Women’s Land Army from 1940 to 1945.
On D-Day plus 28, Ernie crossed the channel into France to serve for nine months, ending up in Varel, Germany at the conclusion of hostilities. He was mentioned in dispatches in April 1946.
In January 1946, Ernie returned to Canada and secured work with Fred Gugin and son Bob, farmers in the Cameron district. He qualified under the Veterans Land Act, so bought grandfather Charlie Delmage’s homestead farm from Uncle Ross Delmage (1/2 section). In May 1946, Ruth and son Keith arrived in Canada and they took up residence on a farm near Gugin’s.
In 1947 Ernie rejoined the 12th Manitoba Dragoons Militia and was commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant. In 1949 – 50, he again took a promotional course and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant while still living on and working the farm. In 1954 he took a call out with the active army (Instructional Cadre) in Winnipeg and was promoted to Captain.
Ernie returned to civilian life in 1961 and in 1965 sold the farm and moved to Minnedosa. He worked for a John Deere dealership, Agristeel (farm machinery factory), Minnedosa Feed Mill, and for Minnedosa Consumers Co-op where he was in charge of the bulk fuel department at the time of his retirement in 1982. Ernie is now actively engaged in fish farming and gardening.
During his military career of 32 years, active and militia, he received the following medals: 1939 – 45 Star; France/Germany Star; Defense of Britain; Canadian Volunteer Service & Clasp; Victory Medal, Oak Leaf (mentioned in dispatches); Canadian Efficiency Medal; and Canadian Decoration for Long Service.
In the community, Ernie has been involved as: Trustee of Cameron Consolidated School #406; leader of Junior Rifle Club; Army Cadet Corps of Canada; Young Soldiers Training Plan; member of United Church and AOTS; member of Masonic Lodge; and member of Manitoba Trout Farmers’ Association.
Ruth drove the school van from Cameron to Minnedosa for a number of years. In 1963, she began working for the Minnedosa Credit Union as office manager until her retirement in September 1988 after 25 years of service. In the community, Ruth has been involved in: Militia; Wanda Rebekah Lodge; Eastern Star; Minnedosa United Church; and leadership of Cameron 4- H Club.
Besides their son, Ernie and Ruth have three daughters who are all now married with children.
Keith Delmage
Raymond Keith, the only son of Ernest and Ruth Delmage, was born in Sedgeford, England on October 24, 1944. On May 13, 1946, accompanied by his mother, Keith left South Hampton on the Aquatania with 1300 war brides and 725 children and arrived in Winnipeg via Halifax on May 24.
Keith grew up on the farm, attended Cameron School to grade nine and Minnedosa Collegiate Institute to grade eleven. In 1963, he joined the Canadian Army with the Princess Patricias and in 1965 became a paratrooper and was presented with his wings. Being able to hold his position as a paratrooper, he transferred to the Dental Unit as a dental technician, maintaining that position, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Master Warrant Officer. He, along with his family, served overseas at Lahr, Germany from 1979 – 85. After 25 years service, Keith retired in March 1988.
In October 1965, Keith married Leona Nelson, eldest daughter of Gideon and Dorothy Nelson of Minnedosa. Two daughters were born prior to their divorce in 1974.
In 1978 Keith married Carol Kogan (nee Wiebe) of Winnipeg, daughter of Sam Goodman (stepfather) and Audrey Goodman of Winnipeg. Carol was also divorced and had three children from her previous marriage.
Upon Keith’s retirement, he and Carol moved to Barrie, Ontario where they were in the real estate business with Century 21. [They were divorced in January 1991 and Keith now lives in Kelowna, B.C.]
Angela Leigh, daughter of Keith and Leona Delmage, was born April 12, 1968. She completed grade 12 in Manitoba and grade 13 in Ontario. She took a course in hairdressing and barbering which she passed with high marks and has been awarded diplomas in the showing of hair styles. When in Lahr, Germany, Angela won many ribbons in swimming. At present, she works at her profession in Brandon.
Tracy Lee, the second daughter of Keith and Leona Delmage, was born July 30, 1969 and graduated from high school in 1988. She has decided to continue her education. She also won ribbons for swimming in Germany.
Brent Kogan, stepson of Keith Delmage, was born December 23, 1966. He completed grade 12 and took one year university in Winnipeg. Brent is presently working in Winnipeg with electronics.
Charlene Kogan, stepdaughter of Keith Delmage, was born March 15, 1968, completed grade 12/13, and took one year college in Barrie, Ontario in journalism. She plans on being married July 2, 1988.
Sherrie Kogan, stepdaughter of Keith Delmage, was born April 14, 1973 with Downs Syndrome. She took her training at St. Amants in Winnipeg until 1987 and is now with her mother, Carol.
Janis (Delmage) Wahoski
Janis Elaine, the eldest daughter of Ernie and Ruth Delmage, was born July 3, 1947 and received her education to grade eight at Cameron Consolidated School and high school to grade eleven at Minnedosa Collegiate Institute. After completing a stenographer’s course at Brandon Vocational Center in June 1966, she was hired as secretary to the administrator with the Minnedosa District Hospital where she worked until 1969. Through her younger years, Janis was active with the Cameron United Church and later the Minnedosa United Church, CGIT, Junior Rifle Club, Cameron Garden Club, and played the piano.
On July 9, 1966 Janis married Norman Steve Wahoski, a farmer from the Polonia district. Norman was the youngest son of Steven and Magdelena Wahoski who are both now deceased. Norman eventually sold the farm and was then employed with Agristeel making farm machinery while Janis worked at the Minnedosa Medical Group. Two children were born of this union.
Janis and Norma are residing in Minnedosa. Norman is still employed at the same place under Morris Rodweeder as foreman of the welding shop. Janis worked for a number of years with the provincial government as an administrative secretary beginning in October 1977 and now works for Manitoba Assessment Branch in Minnedosa. Norman plays the violin.
David Charles, son of Janis and Norman Wahoski, born April 1, 1969, is the only grandson of Ernest and Ruth Delmage. He attended Tanner’s Crossing School in Minnedosa for kindergarten to grade eight and Minnedosa Collegiate to complete grade ten. Throughout, David was very active with hockey and played the position of goalie from age five up to this past winter. He was also active in school sports and baseball. David and Michelle Glaudae (born October 21, 1969) have a son Mathew David who was born August 5, 1988. David now works for People’s Co-op Creamery in Minnedosa.
Wendy Lynn, daughter of Janis and Norman Wahoski, was born November 30, 1970. She attended Tanner’s Crossing School in Minnedosa from Kindergarten to grade eight and Minnedosa Collegiate to graduation in June 1988. She was active with school sports, served on the student council and played clarinet with the school band. Wendy took figure skating from age five to age fourteen and for the past three years has instructed the beginners (Canskate). Wendy also enjoys playing the piano. She now works for Underwood, McLelland & Associates as a secretary and lives in Winnipeg.
Pamela (Delmage) Campbell
Pamela Lynn, the second daughter of Ernie and Ruth Delmage, was born January 11, 1951. She completed her education at Cameron Consolidated School, Minnedosa Collegiate Institute and Brandon University with a Bachelor of Arts and Education before teaching in Erickson Elementary School and Greenwood School in Winnipeg. Pam was active with the Cameron and Minnedosa United Church, junior choir, CGIT, participated in many school sports, and was responsible for the name used by Minnedosa school teams, the “Chancellors”. Pam plays the piano.
On August 21, 1971 Pam married Kenneth Gordon Campbell, a farm boy from the Bethany district just east of Minnedosa. Ken is the eldest son of Ross and Valdis Campbell. At that time, Ken was attending university taking his Masters where some of his studies took him to Calgary University, and his Doctorate to Carlton University. Pam took a leave of absence from teaching to be with her husband. Upon their return to Winnipeg, Pam was hired to teach Physical Education at the School for the Deaf. After a couple of years, she left teaching and moved to a provincial government department (legal aid) as a taxation officer.
Ken, while attending Brandon University, was editor of the university paper, “The Quill”. In the past, he taught classes at Stony Mountain Penitentiary. Upon completing his Doctorate, he decided to enter the real estate business and at present he sells real estate in Winnipeg and is part owner of Sussex Realty. He was awarded (in 1986) with having the second highest sales in the city. Pam and Ken have two daughters who are both deaf. Pam is kept quite busy with educating them and makes three or four trips each year to Ottawa Children’s Hospital for assessments as they are being taught to speak.
Jennifer Lindsay Valdis, daughter of Pam and Ken Campbell, was born September 16, 1983 and is attending public school in Winnipeg.
Whitney Leigh, the second daughter of Pam and Ken Campbell, was born September 17, 1985 and began attending nursery school in September 1988.
Valerie (Delmage) Wickdahl
Valerie Ruth, the youngest child of Ernie and Ruth Delmage, was born August 21, 1952. She completed her education at Cameron Consolidated School and Minnedosa Collegiate. She attended Minnedosa and Cameron United Churches and was active in CGIT. In school, Valerie served on the student council, yearbook committee and was active in sports. After graduation, she took training in Winnipeg as a hairdresser and worked at her profession in Minnedosa until her marriage.
On September 9, 1972 Valerie married Earl James Wickdahl, a farmer at Erickson, Manitoba and the son of Ida and the late Gustav Wickdahl. Two daughters were born to Valerie and Earl.
Valerie’s talent is playing the piano and organ, and she is quite active in that capacity for the Lutheran Church and Lutheran Men’s Choir in their community. Earl is also very musical, and active in the community. In November 1987, Earl and his family attended the Toronto Winter Fair as a result of being awarded the title of King Farmer at Brandon Agricultural Summer Fair the previous summer.
Valerie is manager of the Parkland Home for senior citizens in Erickson and is also very capable and busy helping Earl with his cattle and farming operations.
Coleen Heather, daughter of Valerie and Earl Wickdahl, was born August 6, 1976. She attends Erickson School and the Lutheran Church, and participates in activities in both. Being gifted with an ear for music, Coleen plays the piano and violin and sings, and has won many trophies in local talent nights in singing and violin. She won the trophy for violin for the past three years in the Music Festival of Arts in Minnedosa.
Koreen Ruth, the second daughter of Valerie and Earl Wickdahl, was born October 9, 1978. She also attends school and church in Erickson where she participates in activities. Koreen plays the piano and sings and has won trophies for singing in local talent nights, and competes in the Music Festival of Arts. She is very interested in 4-H work and competes in public speaking contests. Koreen enjoys helping her dad on the farm.
RAY DELMAGE (submitted 1991)
Raymond William, the second son of Alice and Simon Delmage, was born June 6, 1920. He was raised in the Cameron district and received his schooling there. He served in the Second World War with the First Division Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Ray served in Italy, was wounded, contracted pleurisy and was invalided home. He returned and bought the homestead of his great uncle, Edward Delmage which he farmed until it was sold in 1967—after being in the family for 99 years. (SW-15-18)
On July 7, 1946 Ray married Shirley McPherson (a Foxwarren, Manitoba girl) who was teaching grades one to six in Cameron School. They farmed and raised four children. Through the years, Ray and Shirley supplemented the farm income by sharing duties driving school van.
Ray began holiday-relief employment in the Liquor Control Commission and Shirley began bookkeeping at North American Lumber. She remained there for 11 years before moving to Chimo (later Lane’s) Home Center where she was employed for several years until it closed. She worked full time at North American from 1986 until her retirement in April 1990. Shirley is active in church and choir, and is secretary for Minnedosa United Church and several organizations including Cameron Community Club.
Ray passed away February 18, 1970 at the age of 49 years due to multiple health problems.
Linda (Delmage) Vint
Linda Jeanne, the only daughter of Ray and Shirley Delmage, was born December 17, 1946 and attended Cameron School and Minnedosa Collegiate, where she graduated in June 1964. While in school, Linda took part in sports and received an athletic award in high school and a trip to the International Peace Garden Sport Camp sponsored by the Legion.
On September 7, 1964 Linda married Thomas Glen Vint who is employed by the Department of Highways and farms the former W.N. Thompson farm in the Cadurcis area. Linda is employed by the Minnedosa & District Personal Care Home. They have two children.
Kevin Sean, son of Linda and Tom Vint, was born January 24, 1965. He attended Tanner’s Crossing and Minnedosa Collegiate where he graduated in June 1983 (class of the century). Sean completed a bricklaying course at Red River Community College in 1984 and worked in Winnipeg, and then for CPR for a time. He is now an apprentice plumber and lives in Winnipeg.
Leah Colleen, daughter of Linda and Tom Vint, was born September 12, 1966 and attended Tanner’s Crossing and MCI where she graduated in 1984 with the honor of being chosen by her classmates as Most Popular Student. The scholarship was set up by the Class of ’83 as their contribution to Minnedosa’s 100th anniversary. While in school, Leah was on the provincial ladies’ soccer championship team. She attended Portage Developmental Center where she graduated in 1987 as a registered psychiatric nurse before working in Portage for a time. She then attended Red River Community College and received her RN in 1989. On August 19, 1989 Leah married Paul Harland who is produce manager for the Co-op Store in Portage la Prairie. Leah works as charge nurse in Lions Manor and has developed a passion for antiques. Paul’s interests include hockey and baseball.
Douglas Delmage
Douglas James, the eldest son of Ray and Shirley Delmage, was born November 9, 1948 and attended Cameron School and Minnedosa Collegiate where he finished in 1965. Following graduation from a carpentry course at Red River Community College, Doug worked for several construction companies in Edmonton and Yellowknife. He now works for the Hobbema Band and lives in Camrose, Alberta.
On July 13, 1968 Doug married Sharon Margaret Wood of Cordova and they have a daughter. Sharon is interested in crafts and her church work while Doug’s interests include gun clubs, and first and second world war memorabilia.
Nonette Joy, daughter of Doug and Sharon Delmage, was born October 20, 1968 and attended school at Tanner’s Crossing in Minnedosa, Yellowknife, and Camrose where she graduated in 1986. Nonette continued her education with Business Administration at NAIT in Edmonton where she graduated in 1988, and is now employed in Camrose. She enjoys antiques (miniatures).
Ian Delmage
Ian Robert, the second son of Ray and Shirley Delmage, was born December 2, 1952 and attended Cameron School and Minnedosa Collegiate until 1970 when he joined the armed forces as a Radar Technologist and served in many locations in Canada. After leaving the service, Ian graduated from an apprentice plumber course at Red River Community College and also obtained steam fitting, welding and gas tickets. He worked for several companies before joining Mohawk Oil in Minnedosa. He is now employed with Centra Gas in Dauphin, Manitoba. On November 22, 1974 Ian married Olivia Voros and they had two children prior to their divorce in 1981.
On June 10, 1983 Ian married Colleen (Johnson) Pederson whose two daughters were adopted by Ian.
Daniel Brent, son of Ian and Olivia Delmage, was born December 14, 1976 and attended school in many places in Manitoba. Danny now lives with his mother in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Shelly Lynn, daughter of Ian and Olivia Delmage, was born August 5, 1979 and like Danny, is living with her mother in Medicine Hat.
Keely (Peterson) Delmage, was born July 2, 1975 and attended Tanners Crossing and Minnedosa Collegiate. She is now living with her parents in Dauphin and completing her education there.
Carrie (Pederson) Delmage, attended Tanners Crossing and is now in Dauphin completing her schooling there.
Colin Delmage
Colin Keith, the youngest son of Ray and Shirley Delmage, was born July 22 1954 and attended Cameron School, Tanners Crossing and Minnedosa Collegiate. He left school and worked for the CP Railway for a while before moving to Grande Cache, Alberta and working for the Grande Cache Hotel for several years. He is now a heavy equipment operator.
Colin lives with Debbie Brown and they have two daughters.
Natasha Lynn Brown, daughter of Debbie Brown, was born April 20, 1981 and attends school in Grande Cache.
Samantha Jolene Delmage, daughter of Colin Delmage and Debbie Brown, was born June 15, 1985 and also attends school in Grande Cache.
BERT DELMAGE (submitted 1991)
Albert Edward, the third son of Alice and Simon Delmage was born April 2, 1924. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II and has worked as a civil servant at CFB Shilo, Manitoba since leaving the force.
On July 22, 1950 Bert married Doreen Petrick of Brandon and they have three children.
Mark Delmage
Mark Steven, the eldest child of Bert and Doreen Delmage, was born March 20, 1952. He graduated from Neelin High in Brandon and was named Best Cadet in Canada. In 1968 he attended Royal Roads, an air cadet college, followed by University of Alberta. Mark won a silver medal for Chemistry at Brandon University where he was also an assistant teacher in the Science Department. He now teaches grades 8 – 12 Science at St. John’s Raven Court in Winnipeg where he is also an instructor for Air Cadet Flying Scholarship.
Michael Delmage
Michael Wayne, the second son of Bert and Doreen Delmage, was born September 21, 1957. He graduated from Vincent Massey, and worked at Canadian Tire in Brandon, Westburne in Winnipeg and now in Edmonton.
In 1984 Mickey married Doris Menard who works in the Education Department of the Government of Alberta. Mickey is actively involved in worldwide shortwave radio.
Heather Delmage
Heather Dawn, the only daughter of Bert and Doreen Delmage, was born March 15, 1968 and graduated from Vincent Massey High School. She works at Reitman’s clothing chain in Winnipeg and part time as hostess at Tony Romana.
FRED DELMAGE (submitted 1991)
Fredrick Ross, the fourth son of Alice and Simon Delmage, was born September 7, 1925. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and upon his release, farmed in the Cameron district.
On December 31, 1951 Fred married Viola Pollon of Onanole, Manitoba and they had three children prior to a divorce. The family moved to Thunder Bay and then Dominion City where Fred worked for North American Lumber. They later moved to Winnipeg where Fred worked for the Canada Wire and Cable Company.
In about 1978, Fred married Irene Barnesky of Rossburn and they have a son. Irene works for Canada Wire and Cable and Fred is now retired. They are both involved in church work.
Brian Delmage
Fredrick Brian, the eldest child of Fred and Viola Delmage, was born September 27, 1952 and attended school in Cameron and Winnipeg.
In 1978 Brian married Linda and they live in Winnipeg where he is a barber and taxidermist while Linda is a secretary with the provincial government.
Brent Delmage
Kimberly Brent, the second son of Fred and Viola Delmage, was born April 9, 1956 and attended school in Winnipeg.
In November 1985, Brent married Margaret and they have two children. Brent farms in summer and has a carpentry business, Delmage Construction, all year round. They live in Winnipeg.
Kevin Michael, son of Brent and Margaret Delmage, was born April 14, 1986.
Heather Colleen, daughter of Brent and Margaret Delmage, was born in February, 1988.
Betty Lou (Delmage) Shannon
Betty Lou, the only daughter of Fred and Viola Delmage, was born November 18, 1960 at Emerson Hospital and attended school in Winnipeg.
In 1979 Betty Lou married Mike Shannon who is a postman. Betty Lou drives a school bus. They live in Winnipeg.
Tyler Delmage
Tyler Ross, son of Fred and Irene Delmage, was born October 12, 1980 and is involved in soccer and hockey.
EVERETT DELMAGE (submitted 1991)
Everett Colby, the fifth son of Alice and Simon Delmage, was born May 30, 1928. He played hockey and took part in track and field while in school and later played some hockey while in the services. He was a mechanic and lived in Virden for several years, going to school and working in the garage after school. He lived there with Uncle Albert Lamb.
On September 7, 1950 Everett married Gwendoline Margaret Dennison of Virden, Manitoba. They moved to Minnedosa where Everett worked in Wilton Motors which later became Stewart Motors. Later, he joined the peace-time Canadian Army and served for 35 years in many places in Canada as well as Germany, Alert, N.W.T., and the Golan Heights (in the Middle East) in peace-keeping. He retired in February 1980 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Everett and Gwen had ten children.
Gwen raises all kinds of birds for sale and is a natural in their care. She also paints in oil—very beautiful scenes, people and still life, one of which hangs in the Minnedosa Personal Care Home as a memorial to Everett’s mother, Alice. The rest of the family also enjoy some of her paintings in their homes.
Everett has severe heart problems but continues to work. He relaxes by helping Gwen with her many birds and attending sports in which his children participate.
Carol Ann (Delmage) Emond
Carol Ann, the eldest child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born July 26, 1952 and took her schooling in many different places before graduating in Shilo, Manitoba. Although her interests were varied, she excelled in Brownies. On June 30, 1974 Carol Ann married Cameron Leslie Emond (born February 11, 1949) of Shilo. They lived in Brandon where Cameron worked for Transport Canada at the airport and Carol Ann took her L.P.N. training at Assiniboine Community College. She then worked in Brandon General Hospital.
They moved to Winnipeg where Carol Ann took her RN training and Cameron attended the University of Manitoba, taking courses to further his job. Carol Ann is now an I.C.U. nurse in Grace Hospital and Cameron is an operational support specialist in Transport.
Debbie (Delmage) McKeand
Deborah Colleen, the second daughter of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born February 28, 1954 and being so close in age, took much the same schooling as Carol Ann in many parts of Canada. Debbie loved singing, and still does.
On November 10, 1972 Debbie married John Grenon; they were later divorced.
On December 4, 1977 Debbie married William James McKeand (born August 22, 1951) and they had a daughter prior to a divorce. Debbie lives in Ottawa, Ontario and is a loans manager at a branch of the Bank of Montreal. She is interested in singing, crafts and her family of brothers and sisters, most of whom live in the Ottawa area. She is also a Guide leader, enjoys sailing, and does volunteer modeling.
Jennifer Elizabeth, daughter of Debbie and William McKeand, was born December 6, 1979.
Barrie Delmage
Barrie Neil, the third child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born at Brandon on December 12, 1955. He died at the age of six months on June 9, 1956 in Kingston, Ontario.
Jim Delmage
James Everett, the fourth child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born December 3, 1956 and also attended school in many different places. He went east with his parents for a while before returning to Winnipeg in about 1976 where he met Elizabeth M. Stokes and they had a son.
Jim then met Susan Vincent and they have two sons. He is a welder and his last known address is Winnipeg.
Bryce Ryan James Stokes, son of Jim Delmage and Elizabeth Stokes, was born November 20, 1977.
James Vincent, son of Jim and Susan Delmage, was born March 21, 1984.
Justin Everett, the second son of Jim and Susan Delmage, was born July 6, 1985.
Leona (Delmage) Jimmo
Leona Alice, the fifth child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born August 21, 1958 in Kingston, Ontario and took most of her schooling in Shilo, Manitoba. She returned east to Petawawa when her father was transferred. She is very musical and loves to sing.
On July 25, 1980 Leona married Frank Alvin Jimmo and they have one daughter. Leona works for another branch of the Bank of Montreal in Ottawa and Frank is a postman. Frank plays hockey; Leona is still into singing and has a love for animals and crafts. She also works at an animal hospital.
Erin Allison, daughter of Leona and Frank Jimmo, was born September 7, 1986.
Kenneth Delmage
Kenneth John, the sixth child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born October 1, 1959 in Kingston and named for his Uncle Ken who was killed in 1957. Ken took most of his schooling in Shilo and finished in Petawawa. He is very quiet and has a knack for computers and mechanical things.
On July 9, 1983 Ken married Susan Theresa Kinros and they have two daughters. Ken now works for a computer company in the research and development department. Both Sue and Ken are very involved with their church and counseling.
Catherine Ann, daughter of Ken and Sue Delmage, was born August 28, 1985.
Sarah Elizabeth, the second daughter of Ken and Sue Delmage, was born December 4, 1987.
Bob Delmage
Robert Michael, the seventh child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born May 1, 1961 in Shilo. He took his schooling in Shilo and Petawawa. Bob is very musical and this ability has led him into composing as well as playing. He entertains with a group in night clubs.
On December 10, 1988 Bob married Caron Gertrude Giseselle in B.C. Since their marriage, they have lived in B.C., Brandon, and now in the Ottawa area. Caron works in a department store.
Brenda (Delmage) Jackson
Brenda Lynne, the eighth child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born March 24, 1963 at Brandon. She took most of her schooling in Brandon before moving to Carlsbad Springs with her parents. She took a course and was a hairdresser for a while.
On April 30, 1982 Brenda married David Nicholas Jackson and they had one daughter prior to a divorce. Brenda now lives in Ottawa and works for the Bank of Montreal as an acting supervisor. She is quiet and loving of her family.
Lindsay Christin, daughter of Brenda and David Jackson, was born November 17, 1982. Gloria (Delmage) Dunn
Gloria Delores, the ninth child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born April 10, 1969 in Brandon. She took part of her schooling there and graduated near Ottawa. She played ringette and received several awards.
On September 6, 1991 Gloria married William Randel Dunn and they have a son, Stirling. Randy is in university, completing Engineering. Both are interested in sports. Gloria also works for the Bank of Montreal.
Randel Stirling, son of Gloria and Randy Dunn, was born July 23, 1991.
Karen Delmage
Karen Louise, the tenth and youngest child of Everett and Gwen Delmage, was born March 30, 1973 in Brandon. She has taken her schooling in Petawawa and Carlsbad Springs. She is an excellent student and very active in basketball and ringette at which she received many trophies and awards. In 1991, Karen will be taking her grade 13 and has thoughts of pre- medicine at this time. She spent the summer in ride-around with the paramedics.
KENNETH DELMAGE’ (submitted 1991)
Kenneth John, the sixth and youngest son of Alice and Simon Delmage, was born August 2, 1930. He attended Cameron Consolidated School to grade nine and took part in track and field (where he won many awards) and some hockey. He took grades ten and eleven at Minnedosa High School where he also excelled in track and field and hockey. He worked for the CPR from 1949 – 54 at many locations through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
On August 30, 1952 Ken married Gladys Marion Fetter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Fetter, at Calgary and they had two children. Marion worked for a bank in Calgary. In 1954 Ken joined the Calgary City Police where he was killed while on duty on November 6, 1957. He had just transferred to the motorcycle squad a few months previously. Ken was always interested in motorbikes and loved to play hockey. He was goalie for the City Police in the Services League and was to have begun the season on the day of his funeral. There was a memorial service at the Stampede Corral and the players offered a trophy to be presented to the most gentlemanly player in the league each year, which is still being awarded today.
In 1964 Marion married Robert Rosenberg and moved to California for a time. They had one daughter. They all returned to Calgary where eventually Marion went into commercial real estate which she continues today.
Joanne Delmage
Joanne Marion, daughter of Ken and Marion Delmage, was born October 12, 1953 in Edmonton. She has always been active in her school and work. At present, she runs a Day Care Center in Calgary where she lives with her son. Joanne is a caring, loving person.
Kenneth Edward Allan John Delmage, son of Joanne Delmage, was born in April 1985.
Vance Delmage
Vance Kenneth, son of Ken and Marion Delmage, was born January 2, 1955. Vance is very like his father in looks and charm. He took part in Little League while living in California after his mother’s remarriage. He has a son.
Jason, son of Vance Delmage, was born in 1989.
Michelle Rosenberg, daughter of Marion and Robert Rosenberg and sister of Joanne and Vance Delmage, was born January 30, 1966. She is now living and working in California.
ELEANOR (DELMAGE) SHEPHERD (submitted 1991)
Eleanor Alice, the only daughter of Alice and Simon Delmage, was born June 1, 1935. She has always lived in Minnedosa where she attended Cameron School for grades one to five and Minnedosa School to the completion of grade ten. She worked part time at the theater from ages 13 to 16, and joined the Manitoba Telephone System in 1951.
On May 1, 1953 Eleanor married Robert Walter Scotland, son of Francis and Frances Scotland of Carberry (Petrel district), Manitoba. Robert was a mechanic at Funnell Motors, Minnedosa 1947 to November 1959 and at Minnedosa Co-op Garage, March 1960 until his death on September 9, 1967 following a massive coronary. Three children were born to Eleanor and Robert.
On August 11, 1973 Eleanor married Robert Ewen Shepherd, son of Norman and Mary Shepherd of Stonewall, Manitoba. Robert worked for Manitoba Telephone System until his retirement in 1980. Eleanor continued to work at MTS (after a break from June 30, 1953 to April 1955) until October 1987 when she took a complete disability retirement due to heart problems. Since then, she has joined the United Church and is at present on the Worship and Life Board, Christian Education and teaches Sunday School. She takes a great interest in all the grandchildren including those of her three stepchildren. There are nine in all. Eleanor is also very into Star Trek and enjoys watching movies. Her interests also include fastball, knitting, sewing, figure skating club, band parents, and she was a Brownie tester.
Judy (Scotland) McRuer
Judy Ann, the eldest child of Eleanor and Robert Scotland, was born February 21, 1955 and attended school in Minnedosa where she graduated in June 1974.
Her interests included figure skating; Junior Rifle Club where she won 4 awards in 9 years; won 1st trophy and award from the Manitoba Federation of Game and Fish Associations (14 years) top trophy and Bob Scotland Memorial Trophy. She taught figure skating at Minnedosa, Erickson, Russell, and six surrounding towns, and at Snow Lake, all in Manitoba. Judy joined the United Church in 1971 and was a member of the junior choir for four years.
On September 27, 1974 Judy married Allan James McPherson in Minnedosa United Church, son of Norman and Florence McPherson of Clanwilliam, Manitoba. Judy worked for Manitoba Telephone System from June 1974 to November 1975, part time from 1976 to 1984, and returned full time from June 1984 to August 1987 at Boissevain. Two children were born to Judy and Allan prior to their divorce in October 1986. Judy entered Assiniboine Community College in September 1987 and graduated as an L.P.N. in June 1988.
On June 27, 1988 Judy married Donald McRuer, son of Angus and Elizabeth McRuer of Boissevain, at the International Peace Garden Chapel on the North Dakota/Manitoba border. Don is a farmer in the Boissevain area. Judy works at Boissevain Hospital and Care Home and enjoys cross country and downhill skiing as well as traveling and camping.
Jacqueline Ann (Jacki), daughter of Judy and Allan McPherson, was born October 23, 1978. She is very talented musically, playing piano, flute and Baritone horn, and has won many awards on each instrument. She passed her grade 3 Royal Conservatory of Music exam with first class honors in 1991, and has attended the International Music Camp for the past two years with her flute. Jacki does well in school and has won gold, silver and bronze medallions in gymnastics. She has also passed many of her swimming badges.
Allan James (Jamie), son of Judy and Allan McPherson, was born September 1, 1981 and is very good in school. He plays hockey and has won digger awards as well as best sportsman in 1990-91 season. He also plays baseball and has passed many of his swimming badges. Jamie is involved in gymnastics, taking 1st on the rings and 2nd in vault this past spring. He is also musical but not too interested in pursuing this yet.
Arla (Scotland) Syslak
Arla Jean, the second daughter of Eleanor and Robert Scotland, was born June 21, 1956 and also attended school in Minnedosa up to grade ten. She worked for Dowsetts Diner for three years, moved to Winnipeg and worked for a plumbing company for two years, moved back to Minnedosa to work for Robinson Stores for a year and Penners Bakery for two years.
Arla was a member of the Minnedosa band where she played piccolo and flute for 4 years, went to International Peace Garden music camp for 3 years (2 weeks in final year) and won several first place awards at Brandon and Neepawa music festivals. She was a member of Minnedosa junior choir for 4 years, was involved with Brownies and Guides, and the Junior Rifle Club for 9 years where she won three 2nd trophies.
On December 9, 1972 Arla married David Wayne Syslak at Minnedosa United Church, son of Carl and Bertha Syslak of Clanwilliam. Two sons were born to them. David is a mechanical draftsman who worked for International Harvester in Winnipeg, Inventronics in Brandon, Air Seeder in Drumheller, Alberta, and is now with Manfor Ltd. in Innisfail, Alberta. He is interested in slow pitch ball and curling, and is also chief of one section of the Innisfail Fire Department.
After two years in Carbon, Alberta, Arla and family moved to Innisfail where she worked for Dairy Queen and a tanning salon. She took a course in insurance in 1987, and later took a course in computers. She presently works for Freeman Insurance Agencies where she sells all types of insurance. She enjoys curling and slow pitch ball.
Michael David, son of Arla and David Syslak, was born June 29, 1973 in Minnedosa where he played junior hockey and ball. In Carbon, he took swimming and did very well. He plays the piano and guitar, and was involved in skate boarding competitions. His ride-around with the local RCMP allowed him to witness law enforcement first hand. Michael completed grade eleven and went to work but is thinking seriously of taking mechanics, including heavy duty.
Patrick Scott, the second son of Arla and Patrick Syslak, was born July 31, 1977 in Minnedosa. He was interested in swimming and skate boarding for fun. He is doing well in school and received a $100 bursary in 1991 to attend the Music Camp (International) where he played saxophone. Patrick works part time for Saan Store in Innisfail.
Darin Scotland
Darin Robert, son of Eleanor and Robert Scotland, was born September 14, 1965 and graduated from Minnedosa schools in June 1983. He attended Red River Community College 1983 – 85 to become a computer programmer/analyst but didn’t pass the final term. He returned to R.R.C.C. in 1987 and has completed the four-year course in mechanics. He is now a licensed mechanic in any province, and also has front end alignment, shop safety and St. John’s Ambulance papers.
Darin began playing hockey at age five and figure skating at age seven to ten, and continued playing hockey to age sixteen. He was offered a position with the Weyburn Redwings (Saskatchewan) in 1982 but refused in favor of an education. He was paper boy for the Brandon Sun (age 10 – 14), worked for Minnedosa Tribune (age 14 – 16), Berrys Gulf Station (age 16 – 17), and at Minnedosa Co-op Store for two months before entering college in 1983. He won awards in biology throughout high school and in English 301 in grade twelve. Darin joined the Junior Rifle Club at age eleven and received the Best Shot award every month for one year. He passed his hunter safety course with 100% and took many awards in track and field in Junior High and second at divisionals.
On March 22, 1985 Darin married Crystal Caroline Shand in Winnipeg, daughter of James and June Shand of Pointe Du Bois, Manitoba. They reside in Winnipeg where Darin worked for Plains West Hyundai and just recently moved to Blackthorn Hyundai on the Pembina Highway, while Crystal babysits for a teacher. Crystal is talented in amateur photography and enjoys her home. She is very loving of both her family and in-laws. She and Darin are avid Star Trek fans. There are no children yet. BERTHA (LAMB) CHILCOTT (submitted 1988)
Bertha Elizabeth Lamb, the fifth child of Jane and Charles Lamb, was born October 8, 1904 at Minnedosa, Manitoba.
In 1923, Berta married Joe Brown of Minnedosa and had a daughter prior to a divorce.
On June 15, 1929 Bertha married John Kenneth Chilcott who was born August 26, 1897 at Rocanville, Saskatchewan. They later moved to Harvey, Illinois where their daughter was born. John was an electrician at the Austin Motor Grader Company in Harvey. He passed away in 1966.
Bertha moved to Lake Village, Indiana where she passed away on January 19, 1980.
MABEL BROWN
Mabel Florence, daughter of Bertha and Joe Brown, was born in Manitoba on June 4, 1924 and moved with her family to Illinois. She attended Thornton High School in Harvey.
Mabel joined the U.S. Navy (Waves) where she served during World War II (1944 – 46). She later took university courses and engaged in extensive written correspondence with her family and friends. She spent many years in veterans’ hospitals where she passed away in 1957 due to tuberculosis.
SHARON (CHILCOTT) ODLE
Sharon, daughter of Bertha and John Chilcott, was born in 1939.
Sharon married Wesley Odle and they have a son. The family resides in Lake Village, Indiana.
Roy Odle
Roy, better known as “Bugsy”, adopted son of Sharon and Wesley Odle, lives with his parents in Indiana. EVERETT LAMB
Everett Clifford Lamb, the sixth child of Jane and Charles Lamb, was born December 22, 1905 at Minnedosa, Manitoba. In 1923, he went to Detroit and worked for the Ford Motor Co. for a year before moving to Gary, Indiana.
On July 25, 1926 Everett married Ruby Dailey of Gary, and they had one son prior to a divorce. Everett worked at the steel mills until his untimely death on December 18, 1933 at the age of 28 years. He was buried in McCool Cemetery where a new tombstone has recently been erected in his memory. Ruby is also deceased.
EVERETT LAMB
Everett, the son of Everett and Ruby Lamb, was born in 1928 at Gary, Indiana. He is married and has a family. Everett lives in McCool, Indiana.
***********************************
ALBERT LAMB (submitted 1991)
Albert George Lamb, the seventh child of Jane Ann and Charles Lamb, was born August 20, 1911 and completed grade nine in the country school. In 1925, he accompanied his sister Bertha to the United States where he attended technical school to obtain a mechanics diploma. Albert worked in steel mills and as a house building contractor. Following his return to Canada, he worked at a horticultural nursery at Dauphin, Manitoba and for the CPR. Albert participated in competitive boxing and gymnastics during the 1930’s.
On December 15, 1937 Albert married Inez Leonard, daughter of George and Lois Leonard of Minnedosa. Three children were born to them.
In 1939, Albert joined the militia and saw active duty with the Canadian Army during World War II, serving in England, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Following his return from overseas, he operated garages in Minnedosa and Virden, Manitoba and in 1952, became a correctional officer in Brandon. He obtained his discharge from the militia in 1960. His wife, Inez, passed away due to cancer in 1961.
On March 13, 1969 Albert married Lila (Sandstrom) Horne of Minnedosa. Lila has a daughter Georgina from a previous marriage. Following his retirement in Minnedosa in 1973, Albert and Lila enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially for moose in the Duck Mountains of Manitoba. He has been confined to a wheelchair for the past four years and presently lives in Minnedosa personal care home, just down the street from his house.
FOSTER LAMB
Foster Albert, son of Albert and Inez Lamb, was born December 15, 1938. He completed high school in Brandon before joining the air force and moving to Halifax.
In about 1969, Foster married Bernadette McDonald of Antigonish, Nova Scotia and they had a son prior to a divorce. Another relationship resulted in a daughter. Foster has worked at various jobs right across Canada and is now near Whitehorse, Yukon working for the Forestry Department in a fire lookout tower.
Foster married Shirley Callahan and they had a daughter prior to a divorce. They have since lived common-law and produced a son.
Thomas Lamb
Thomas, son of Foster and Bernadette Lamb, was born in February 1970. When his mother remarried, he was adopted by his stepfather.
Patricia Woor
Patricia, daughter of Foster Lamb and Beulah Woor, was born in about 1979.
Nicole Lamb
Nicole, daughter of Foster and Shirley Lamb, was born in about 1987 in Whitehorse, Yukon.
Brent Callahan
Brent Albert, son of Foster Lamb and Shirley Callahan, was born in June 1990 in Vancouver.
JACQUELINE (LAMB) LARSEN
Jacqueline Joyce, daughter of Albert and Inez Lamb, was born September 22, 1940. She completed grade eleven in Brandon and worked for the Manitoba Telephone System.
On October 11, 1957 Jacqueline married Gordon Larsen of Winnipeg. They moved, with their four children, to Burnaby, B.C. in 1972 and now live in Nanaimo where Gordon is a salesman of construction equipment. Jacqueline works in a care home in Nanaimo.
Randy Larsen
Randall Gordon, the eldest son of Jacqueline and Gordon Larsen, was born in May 5, 1958 and completed grade twelve. He played hockey for a number of years while in school and was the recipient of a hockey scholarship as well as trips to Calgary and Czechoslovakia with the team.
Randy lives with Sherry White and has a daughter. His home remains in Nanaimo while he commutes to Tahsis, B.C. to work in the mill.
Tegan Rae, daughter of Randy Larsen and Sherry White was born November 9, 1989.
Ricky Larsen
Richard Albert, the second son of Jacqueline and Gordon Larsen, was born June 15, 1959. He also played hockey while in school. He is co-owner/operator of a company selling Fax machines.
Renie Larsen
Renie William, the third son of Jacqueline and Gordon Larsen, was born September 14, 1961. He presently works in a mill at Tahsis, B.C.
On September 24, 1988 Renie married Tracy Porier and they have a daughter. Renie also has a son from a previous relationship.
Ryan Gordon, son of Rene Larsen was born May 23, 1981.
Cara Elizabeth, daughter of Renie and Tracy Larsen, was born May 9, 1990.
Kassie Larsen
Kathrina Lynn, daughter of Jacqueline and Gordon Larsen, was born February 26, 1963. Following her high school education, she took a cooking course and presently works in a bakery.
On November 16, 1991 Kassie married David Allen Moutray who works in the construction business.
CHARLES LAMB
Charles Leonard, the third child of Albert and Inez Lamb, was born August 9, 1946. He completed grade twelve and was involved in football and basketball while in school. He took one year university in Brandon and took training to become an insurance adjuster. He has worked in that field in Winnipeg, Halifax, Brandon and Saskatoon. He is currently a general insurance adjuster in Red Deer, Alberta.
In 1970, Charles married Susan Latta of Amherst, Nova Scotia. They had two daughters, and were divorced in 1985. The girls currently live with their mother in Brandon.
Charles married Mary, a girl from Saskatoon, in Red Deer. Charles is very involved in the game of bridge which he teaches as well as plays.
Victoria Lamb
Victoria, daughter of Charles and Susan Lamb, was born July 28, 1973. She is employed by the post office in Brandon.
Karen Lamb
Karen, the second daughter of Charles and Susan Lamb, was born in about 1975.
FLORENCE (LAMB) LEAN (information from Albert Lamb)
Florence Lamb, the eighth and youngest child of Jane and Charles Lamb, was born October 31, 1914 and attended school in Minnedosa. She worked for Wm. Fergeson, a lawyer, and at Cleverly’s Bakery, both in Minnedosa.
On January 10, 1940 Florence married Samuel Mac Lean and their son was born later that year. Mac joined the army in 1940 and served overseas until 1945. He then worked for Iverson’s Ice and Wood, and later the CPR until his retirement.
Florence and Mac moved to Victoria, B.C. where Florence passed away on December 26, 1977 at the age of 63 years. Mac continued to reside in Victoria until his death on January 10, 1989.
BRUCE LEAN
James Bruce, son of Florence and Mac Lean, was born December 23, 1940.
On August 14, 1963 Bruce married Susan Palmer, and two children were born to them prior to their divorce. All still reside in Victoria. Bruce is employed by the coastguard, servicing lighthouses and on weather ships as a purser.
Teresa Lean
Teresa Lynn, daughter of Bruce and Susan Lean, was born in 1969.
Jamie Lean
James Bruce (Jamie), son of Bruce and Susan Lean, was born in 1972.
ALFRED
Alfred, the seventh child and fourth son of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Headingly on December 30, 1873 and was baptized there on February 1, 1874. He moved with his family to Minnedosa and later to Hazelcliffe.
Following his eighteenth birthday, Alfred made entry for NW22-18-33 W1 on January 20, 1892, and continued to live with his parents while he performed his homestead duties. By 1899, he had broken 45 acres and had 30 acres in crop. Alfred completed his application for patent of his homestead on August 23, 1899, and the grant was issued on March 26, 1900.
Alfred died on October 21, 1899 due to pneumonia. The title to his homestead passed to Edward McLong, the public administrator for the judicial district of Eastern Assiniboia, on October 23, 1900. Charles Millham obtained title on November 18, 1902, the property being valued at $400.
RUTH
Ruth Millham, the eighth child of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born in Winnipeg on July 22, 1875 and baptized at St. John’s Church there on October 3, of the same year. She moved with her family to Minnedosa and later to the Hazelcliffe district.
On July 4, 1893 Ruth married George Hyde who was born in Lincolnshire, England on April 30, 1865 and came to Canada with his parents when six years old to settle in the Paisley district of Ontario. In 1882, he came to the Valleyview district east of Hazelcliffe. George and Ruth farmed on SW29-18-33 W1 for a few years before moving to Grenfell in about 1898 where he farmed for twelve years. Five children were born to them before Ruth passed away on August 2, 1906. George was a handyman for a time at Grenfell and later moved to Rocanville where he was a drayman until retirement. He passed away there on December 1, 1944.
RUTH AND GEORGE HYDE (1875 – 1906) (1865 – 1944) married 1893
1. Edith May (1895 – 1930) 2. Charles William (1896 – 1910) 3. George Milton (1897 – 1974) 4. Clarence Victor (1899 – 1979) 5. Violet Alice (1904 – 1990)
1. Edith – William Hachmann
1. Myrtle – Ernest Graham – Peter Ressler 1. Delores 2. Deanna
2. Cora – Earl Tebb 1. Kenneth 2. Rodney 3. Joyce
3. Elsie – Marcus Christoling 1. Helen 3. Edith 2. Judith 4. Margaret
4. Clare – Robert Gamble 1. Carol Lee 2. Vern
2. William
3. Milton – Mary Bagg
1. Alice – David Gillespie 1. Gayle 2. David
2. Muriel – Keith Fergusson 1. Larry 2. Marie 3. Lee
3. Bruce – Vivian Bull 1. David 2. Alison
4. Clarence – Dora Woods – Ina Livingston
1. Doreen – Hugh Fraser 1. Hugh 3. Sheilagh 2. Stuart 4. James
2. Norman – Joyce Theobald 1. Margorie 4. Dale 2. Terry 5. Sharon 3. George
3. Gordon – Joyce Gaudrey – Gloria Francis 1. Crystal 3. Leanne 2. Dean 4. Racheal
4. Shirley – Wes Watson 1. Glen 4. Cynthia 2. Cheryl 5. Kevin 3. Trevor 6. Lori
5. Denis – Lorna Skrupski 1. Grant 2. Bradley 3. Tammy
6. Lois – Robert Eltz 1. Drinda 2. Colleen
5. Violet – Roswell Mellick
1. Roger – Ann Dyck 1. Wayne
2. Verna – Patrick Vienneau 1. Charlotte 2. Ross 3. Robert
3. Ruth – George Jorgenson – Ed Yeo 1. Pamela 2. Deborah 3. Richard
EDITH (HYDE) HACHMANN (by daughter Cora)
Edith May Hyde, the eldest child of Ruth and George Hyde, was born April 27, 1895.
On November 11, 1914 Edith married William Christian Hachmann (born October 5, 1887) in Rocanville, Saskatchewan and they subsequently had four daughters. Edith and William worked as a hired couple on farms in the Rocanville and Gerald districts and in 1928, moved to Melville where William worked on the CNR and later for the town.
Edith passed away January 7, 1930 due to cancer and the girls were separated to live elsewhere; Myrtle moved to her Uncle Albert Millham’s at Hazelcliffe, Elsie to her Uncle Henry Hachmann’s in Rocanville, and Cora and Clarice boarded in Melville and were supported by Rebekah Lodge. It was not until 1963 that all four sisters were reunited for the first time.
William passed away on January 28, 1957.
MYRTLE (HACHMANN) RESSLER (submitted 1991)
Myrtle Ruth, the eldest daughter of Edith and William Hachmann, was born February 4, 1916 in Rocanville.
On January 7, 1937 Myrtle married Ernest Graham (place of birth unknown as he was adopted) and they had twin daughters. Ernest served overseas in the army during World War II. The marriage ended in divorce in 1955. Ernest is now deceased.
On October 9, 1959 Myrtle married Peter Ressler (born May 7, 1917) in the Richmond United Church in Richmond, B.C. Peter worked at Huntting Merritt Shingle Mill until retirement. They reside in Richmond.
Delores (Graham) Frame
Delores Ruth, daughter of Myrtle and Ernest Graham, was born in Winnipeg on September 13, 1937.
On June 9, 1956 Delores married John Frame in the Trinity Baptist Church in Vancouver. John, the owner of a hardware store, was born December 5, 1933 in Vancouver. Delores is an office worker. They live in Surrey, B.C. and had three children.
Lynn Marie, the eldest child of Delores and John Frame, was born in Vancouver on May 29, 1957 and was very artistic. She passed away suddenly on March 10, 1980 due to neurological problems.
David, son of Delores and John Frame, was born April 6, 1959 in Vancouver. He lives in Richmond where he operates a delivery service. On October 30, 1981 David married Laura Vallee and they have three children: Christina Laurel, born April 1, 1982; Holly Allissia, born December 21, 1985; and Jessica Leane, born September 1, 1987. Sharon Lee, the third child of Delores and John Frame, was born in Vancouver on October 31, 1963. She is an office worker. In September 1989, Sharon married Kevin McArtney and they live in Surrey, B.C.
Deanna (Graham) Szach
Deanna LeRoy, twin daughter of Myrtle and Ernest Graham, was born September 13, 1937 in Winnipeg.
On June 14, 1957 Deanna married George Szach in the Trinity Baptist Church in Vancouver. George was born September 23, 1935 in Winnipeg and is employed by Walkem Machinery Painting. Deanna is a shoe clerk. They have two daughters and reside in Surrey, B.C.
Penelope Dale, daughter of Deanna and George Szach was born in Vancouver on November 2, 1959. She lives in Richmond and is a cocktail waitress.
Sandra Ann, second daughter of Deanna and George Szach, was born November 26, 1965 in Vancouver. She took a hairdressing course and works in her profession in White Rock, B.C.
CORA (HACHMANN) TEBB (submitted 1991)
Cora May, second daughter of Edith and William Hachmann, was born June 11, 1917 in Rocanville and completed grade 11 in Melville before moving back to Rocanville to work as a domestic.
On October 15, 1941 Cora married Earl Kitchener Tebb, son of Arthur and Jenny Tebb, at Gerald, Saskatchewan. They farmed in the Gerald district for three years and moved to the Ingleside district south of Marchwell where they farmed for 32 years and raised their three children. In 1976, Cora and Earl retired to live in Russell, Manitoba.
Kenneth Tebb
Kenneth Richard, the eldest child of Cora and Earl Tebb, was born July 13, 1942 at Esterhazy and graduated from grade 12 at Langenburg. He took university classes in local government while working at IMC K1 potash mine.
On June 11, 1965 Kenneth married Ursula Edith Lowenberger who was born in Kutno, Germany on January 5, 1943. Her parents, Henry and Frieda Lowenberger, live in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan. Kenneth is currently secretary-treasurer of Battleford School Unit and Ursula is public health nurse for two Indian bands at North Battleford. They have three children. Ramona Marie, the eldest child of Kenneth and Ursula Tebb, was born April 23, 1966 in Esterhazy. On December 31, 1988 Ramona married Dave Stiller who works on gas pipelines. Ramona teaches French Immersion classes in Moose Jaw.
Tracey Arlynne, the second daughter of Kenneth and Ursula Tebb, was born March 6, 1968 in Esterhazy. On August 10, 1990 Tracey married Paul Semko, a machinist in Saskatoon. Tracey has her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and plans to return to university in the fall of 1991 to obtain her Masters.
Richard Scott, son of Kenneth and Ursula Tebb, was born June 10, 1970 also in Esterhazy. He is presently in his fourth year at university taking Political Science and Economics, with two years to go.
Rodney Tebb
Rodney Arthur, second son of Cora and Earl Tebb, was born in Russell, Manitoba on September 19, 1945. After completion of grade 9 in Langenburg, he drove truck for a construction company in Esterhazy and the Co-op fuel truck at Spy Hill.
On July 9, 1970 at Moosomin, Rodney married Gloria Carol Becker, daughter of Fred and Ora Becker of Rocanville. Gloria was born at Radville, Saskatchewan on March 11, 1946. Rodney was the Co-op store manager at Spy Hill before moving to the Co-op in Estevan and later Punnichy. For the past ten years, they have lived in Flaxcombe, near Kindersley, where he sells insurance for The Western Producer. Rodney and Gloria have three children.
Robin Lauren, daughter of Rodney and Gloria Tebb, was born at Estevan on March 4, 1977 and attends school at Marengo, Sask.
Rhonda Lee, second daughter of Rodney and Gloria Tebb, was born August 8, 1979 at Moosomin and also attends school at Marengo.
Floyd Earl, son of Rodney and Gloria Tebb, was born August 25, 1989 in Kindersley.
Joyce (Tebb) Sonnenberg
Joyce Alma, daughter of Cora and Earl Tebb, was born April 12, 1953 in Langenburg and graduated from grade 12 there.
On July 10, 1971 Joyce married Ronald William Sonnenberg, son of Willie and Stella Sonnenberg (of Inglis, Manitoba) in the Ingleside United Church at Marchwell. Ronald worked at IMC K1 and farmed before they moved to Shoal Lake where they operated a restaurant for two years. They moved back to Inglis and Ronald worked with his parents in the greenhouse while Joyce worked with home care and as a teacher’s aide at school.
In the fall of 1990, Joyce, Ronald and their three children moved to Calgary where Ronald is a mechanic for a trucking company and Joyce is in partnership in a housecleaning business.
Teresa Lynne (Terri), the eldest child of Joyce and Ronald Sonnenberg, was born October 16, 1971 at Russell, Manitoba and graduated from grade 12 there in 1988. She presently lives in Canmore, Alberta where she is employed in a pizza place.
Jolene Dawn, second daughter of Joyce and Ronald Sonnenberg, was born at Russell on May 10, 1973. She is in grade 12 in Calgary and plans to become an accountant.
Eric Ronald, son of Joyce and Ronald Sonnenberg, was born in Russell on February 18, 1977. He enjoys all kinds of sports and was goalie on hockey teams in Shoal Lake and Ronald Sonnenberg Family Russell. Standing: Terri and Jolene Seated: Ronald, Eric and Joyce
ELSIE (HACHMANN) CHRISTOLING (submitted 1991)
Elsie Wilhelmina, the third daughter of Edith and William Hachmann, was born February 12, 1920 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan. She became a seamstress and worked at Eaton’s in Winnipeg.
On December 19, 1947 Elsie married Marcus Christoling who was born October 13, 1906 in Dortmund, Germany. He was an auto mechanic, and later engineer at Campbell River Hospital until retirement. Marcus passed away November 15, 1988. Elsie and Marcus had three daughters plus a daughter, Helen, from a previous marriage. Elsie resides in Campbell River, B.C.
Helen (Christoling) Nurss
Helen Mildred, daughter of Elsie and Marcus Christoling, was born August 25, 1938. She is a senior engineer for Pacific Telephone.
Helen married Charles Nurss, Jr. (born March 21, 1935), who is now retired. Helen and Chuck reside in Pleasant Hill, California.
Judith (Christoling) Ellerby
Judith Diane, second daughter of Elsie and Marcus Christoling, was born March 31, 1941 in Winnipeg.
On August 24, 1958 Judy married Robert Wilho Luoma at Campbell River, B.C. Robert, a logger, was born in Port Alberni, B.C. on September 22, 1933. They had four sons prior to a divorce.
On October 17, 1986 Judy married Ronald Ellerby who was born May 12, 1931. He is a house painter and decorator while Judy is a cashier. They reside in Campbell River.
William Robert, the eldest son of Judy and Robert Luoma, was born at Campbell River on December 28, 1960. On April 30, 1988 Bill married Kimberly Palmeter and they have two daughters: Alyssa Tamara, born July 14, 1989 and Keshia Lee-Ann, born April 29, 1991. Bill is a millworker and the family resides in Campbell River.
Alan Bruce, the second son of Judy and Robert Luoma, was born December 1, 1962 in Campbell River. On December 1, 1984 Al married Dianne Riley and they have two daughters: Crystal Lynn, born May 7, 1985 and Kelly Andria, born June 12, 1989. Al is an electrician and the family resides in Campbell River.
Terrance Marcus, the third son of Judy and Robert Luoma, was born July 29, 1965 in Campbell River, B.C. He is an electrician and resides in Campbell River.
Michael Andrew, the fourth son of Judy and Robert Luoma, was born August 9, 1969 in Campbell River. He is unemployed at the present time.
Edith (Christoling) McRann
Edith May, the third daughter of Elsie and Marcus Christoling, was born July 31, 1947 in Edmonton, Alberta.
On April 8, 1967 Edie married Kenneth Ian McRann, a millwright foreman who was born August 10, 1947 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Edie and Ken have two children and reside in Campbell River.
Mark William, son of Edie and Ken McRann, was born November 17, 1967. In February 1990 Mark married Gera Clooten and they have a daughter, Venessa Marie, born October 29, 1989. Mark is an automotive mechanic and the family resides in Campbell River. Mark has another daughter from a previous relationship, Melanie Janine, born May 12, 1986. Tammy Ann, daughter of Edie and Ken McRann, was born April 30, 1970 in Campbell River. She is a clerk for Shoppers Drug Mart in White Rock, B.C. Tammy resides in Surrey, B.C. with her fiancé, Bradley Varley, and entrepreneur who was born August 16, 1966.
Margaret (Christoling) Auld
Margaret Rose, the youngest daughter of Elsie and Marcus Christoling, was born in Edmonton on April 29, 1949.
On March 26, 1969 Margaret married Robert Scott George Auld, a marine engineer who was born May 26, 1939 in Estevan, Saskatchewan and they had one son. Robert passed away in August 1981. Margaret, an executive chef, now resides in Ucluelet, B.C.
Christopher Scott, son of Margaret and Robert Auld, was born July 16, 1971 in Campbell River, B.C. At the present time, Chris resides in Nanaimo, B.C.
CLARE (HACHMANN) GAMBLE (submitted 1991)
Clarice Augusta, the fourth daughter of Edith and William Hachmann, was born in Rocanville, Saskatchewan on March 22, 1923.
On September 14, 1946 Clarice married Robert Albert Gamble in Zion United Church in Moose Jaw. Robert was born on February 20, 1924 in Moose Jaw. Clarice and Robert moved from Moose Jaw to Richmond, B.C. in 1951. They moved to Coquitlam in 1979 to live in a mobile home. Robert, a meat cutter, retired in 1985 and passed away on February 25, 1990 after suffering with heart problems for 25 years. He had two heart bypass surgeries, abdominal aneurysm surgery, and a total of six heart attacks. Clare worked as a secretary for thirty-five years and retired in 1982. Clare and Robert had two children.
Carol Lee (Gamble) Raczynski
Carol Lee, daughter of Clare and Robert Gamble, was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on October 12, 1947.
On August 3, 1968 Carol Lee married Helmut Raczynski in the South Arm United Church in Richmond. Helmut was born in Obendorff, Germany on October 9, 1941 and he is a shipper and warehouseman. They moved from Vancouver to Surrey in 1973. Carol Lee is a homemaker and mother to their two children. Monica Rae, daughter of Carol Lee and Helmut Raczynski, was born in Vancouver on December 24, 1971. She is a grade 12 graduate and is now working part time as a cashier/clerk and attends part-time classes at Quantlan College in Surrey. Monica’s goal is to become a teacher of languages.
Daniel Kristin, son of Carol Lee and Helmut Raczynski, was born on November 10, 1975 in Surrey, B.C. Daniel is in grade 10 and is a part-time worker who assembles and repairs bicycles. David was born with an affliction known as inflammatory bowel disease and to this date still suffers from allergies to most food, which he will apparently have to tolerate for the rest of his life.
Vern Gamble
Vernon Robert, son of Clare and Robert Gamble, was born in Vancouver on October 12, 1952 (note that Carol Lee and Vernon Robert were born five years apart right to the date). Vern works as transportation co-ordinator with Balfour Guthrie Forest Products, and has worked with this company for eleven years.
On May 28, 1977 Vern married Sheila Rogers in Gilmore United Church in Richmond. They were divorced in 1980.
On April 24, 1982 Vern married Brenda Arnold in Richmond – Sea Island United Church and they had a daughter prior to a divorce in 1989. Brenda has custody of their daughter and they have joint guardianship. Vern is enjoying liberal visitations with his daughter. To this date, Vern is single.
Kelly Ruby Clarice, daughter of Vern and Brenda Gamble, was born May 15, 1983 in Richmond, B.C.
******************************** WILLIAM HYDE
Charles William Hyde, the second child of Ruth and George Hyde, was born at Hazelcliffe on June 3, 1986. He drowned at Grenfell on June 26, 1910 at the age of 14 years. MILTON HYDE (by daughter Muriel)
George Milton Hyde, the third child of Ruth and George Hyde, was born September 17, 1897 at Grenfell, Saskatchewan. He joined the Canadian Army, 226 Battalion, in 1914 and served in England until his discharge in 1919. Milton left Liverpool with his war bride, Rose Mary Bagg (born February 21, 1897), whom he had married on May 4, 1918 They reached Halifax on January 28 and arrived in Moosomin, Saskatchewan on February 2, 1919.
They lived the remainder of their lives at Rocanville where their three children were born. Milton was a painter, carpenter, and had a Shoe and Harness Shop. He was a good worker for the Legion and Anglican Church, and had the Rebekah and church books for 35 years as secretary-treasurer. Mary was also a good worker for the Legion and her church. She was the one who did most of the quilts—baby and big quilts—which were sold to raise money for the church. She also liked to write poems; one was about Bird’s Point, Round Lake.
Milton passed away on September 19, 1974 and Mary on February 22, 1986.
ALICE (HYDE) GILLESPIE (submitted 1989)
Alice Mary, the eldest child of Milton and Mary Hyde, was born October 14, 1920.
On July 26, 1937 Alice married David Eldon John Gillespie who was born July 26, 1914. They had two children. Alice worked at McKesson and Robbins in Los Angeles, California for 20 years as a credit manager for the drug dispenser until her death on March 28, 1981. David is retired from Lockheed Corporation.
Gayle (Gillespie) Harper
Gayle Frances, daughter of Alice and David Gillespie, was born October 14, 1940.
On July 8, 1958 Gayle married Robert Earl Swallow (born February 8, 1932) in Las Vegas, Nevada. They lived in China Lake, California and had two children prior to their divorce in 1974. Robert is retired from the U.S. Navy and is now consulting for them.
On May 8, 1981 Gayle married William Marion Harper in Carpenteria, California. He is a firefighter for the U.S. Navy, Point Mugu, California and stationed at San Nicolas Island, 65 miles west of the Santa Barbara Islands. He is currently presiding Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of Carpenteria Lodge No. 444, Free and Accepted Masons, Scottish Rite Bodies, Al Maleikah Shrine Temple of Los Angeles.
Gayle is senior secretary for General Research Corporation, Santa Barbara. She is currently presiding Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Daughters of the Nile. Gayle and Bill reside in Lompoc, California.
Rhonda Lee, daughter of Gayle and Robert Swallow, was born January 24, 1960. On August 12, 1976 Rhonda married Lynn Martin (born September 12, 1957) and they have a son Christopher Lynn, born August 17, 1979. Rhonda and Lynn are both employed with the U.S. Navy, China Lake, California.
Alan Robert, son of Gayle and Robert Swallow, was born September 6, 1962. On August 15, 1981 Alan married Marilyn Jane McGill (born July 22, 1962). Marilyn is a housewife and mother to their three children: Nicole Dawn, born October 12, 1985; Cathleen Lynn, born March 22, 1987; and Michael Alan, born November 16, 1989. Alan is owner/operator of Swallow Construction Company in Ridge Crest, California. David Gillespie
David Lloyd, son of Alice and David Gillespie, was born January 21, 1942.
On September 1, 1962 David married Mary Lou Bertolotti (born July 28, 1943) in Los Angeles, California. They have two children. David is a mechanic and avid amateur radioman. He works for a corporate firm in Los Angeles.
Jeffrey Alan, son of David and Mary Gillespie, was born October 21, 1965. He resides in Los Angeles.
Tracy Lynn, daughter of David and Mary Gillespie, was born August 1, 1967. On March 21, 1987 Tracy married Patrick John Montesano (born October 15, 1967) in Los Angeles where they reside.
MURIEL (HYDE) FERGUSSON (submitted 1991)
Muriel Frances, second daughter of Milton and Mary Hyde, was born March 31, 1924 and obtained her education (up to grade 10) in Rocanville before she began working in the telephone office there.
On January 29, 1944 Muriel married Gordon Keith Fergusson and she continued working until their first child was born. Later, two more children were born.
In 1965, Muriel began work in Symons Metalworkers with her husband who had been with the company since 1942. He was foreman at that time. Muriel and Keith retired in 1985— Keith after 43 years and Muriel after 20 years at Symons Metalworkers under Ernest Symons.
Larry Fergusson
Larry Ross, son of Muriel and Keith Fergusson, was born July 15, 1944. He was a boy who enjoyed sports as a hobby (ball and curling) while attending school in Rocanville up to grade 11. He joined the air force for three years, came home and went to Milden, Saskatchewan as a CPR telegrapher. He then met his wife.
On July 12, 1969 Larry married Diane [sic?] Head who had obtained her nurse’s training at Humboldt, Saskatchewan and nursed at St. Paul and City hospitals in Saskatoon. Dianne [sic?] continued nursing and Larry worked for Acme Novelty Co. in Saskatoon.
In 1976, Larry and Diane [sic?] moved with their son to Nakusp, B.C. and took over a MacLeods Hardware Store. Their second son was born there. In 1980, they built a new store of their own, still with MacLeods franchise. In 1985, they bought out of MacLeods and went into Home Hardware, which they are still operating.
Dianne [sic?] nursed in the Nakusp Hospital and now in the nursing home, helping the older people. Her time is busy also with playing the organ for church and choir practice.
Dwayne Gordon, son of Larry and Dianne [sic?] Fergusson, was born in Saskatoon on February 18, 1973. He is busy with school and sports such as hockey, swimming and skiing.
Steven Keith, second son of Larry and Dianne [sic?] Fergusson, was born on June 15, 1978 at Nakusp, B.C. He is also busy with school and active in hockey, swimming and skiing.
Marie (Fergusson) Vigfusson
Eleanor Marie, daughter of Muriel and Keith Fergusson, was born December 10, 1946. She took her schooling in Rocanville, up to grade 10, before working in Esterhazy as a housekeeper, then in the Moosomin Hotel.
On December 14, 1963 Marie married Narfi Vigfusson (only son of Helgi and Helga Vigfusson) who was born May 28, 1940 in the Holar district near Tantallon, Saskatchewan. Marie and Narfi lived in Rocanville and worked for Symons Metalworkers. For a short time before that, Narfi worked in the butcher shop, then went to Winnipeg to work for Pioneer Electric. After they adopted their first daughter, Marie and Narfi moved to Tantallon to take over the farm of his dad, which his grandfather had previously owned. They still reside on the farm.
Tina Marie, adopted daughter of Marie and Narfi Vigfusson, was born March 29, 1966. After completing grade 12 in Esterhazy, she took a hairdressing course in Brandon. Tina lives in Yorkton and is taking more hairdressing courses. She has a daughter, Jasmin Tawni, born August 18, 1989.
Kimberly Anne, second daughter of Marie and Narfi Vigfusson, was born March 17, 1969 and completed grade 12 in Esterhazy. She then worked in a lab in Regina, making eyeglasses. On August 19, 1989 Kim married Kelvin Bartok, son of Wilfred and Gertie Bartok of Esterhazy. Kim and Kelvin live in Yorkton with their daughter, Ashtin Noelle, born November 17, 1988 and Kelvin works at Leon Enterprises. Narvie Allan, son of Marie and Narfi Vigfusson, was born November 8, 1973. He will graduate from Esterhazy High School in 1991, and is a member of cadets in Churchbridge.
Lee (Fergusson) Moffatt
Margaret Lee, second daughter of Muriel and Keith Fergusson, was born July 18, 1953. She attended school in Rocanville, getting all except one subject of her grade 12. Lee’s hobbies have always been ball and bowling. She worked in Symons Metalworkers prior to her marriage.
On August 21, 1971 Lee married Gary Moffatt and they moved to Moosomin. They have two children. Gary worked for the feed mill but had to stop due to health reasons. He is now with the gas pipeline. Lee started in Broadley’s Drugstore in 1976 and now works for Morgan Adam’s Drugstore—Morgan bought the store from Mr. Broadley.
For the past several years, Lee and Gary have managed the store at Moosomin Lake, with the help of their children.
Douglas Gordon, son of Lee and Gary Moffatt, was born January 6, 1972 and, as a boy, was often called on by neighbors to shovel snow or cut grass. He is like his dad and enjoys working with computers and doing electrical work.
Crystal Dawn, daughter of Lee and Gary Moffatt, was born June 28, 1975. She enjoys gymnastics at school, and whenever space allowed, would demonstrate her ability at doing cartwheels.
BRUCE HYDE (submitted 1989)
Leonard Bruce, the only son of Milton and Mary Hyde, was born at home in Rocanville, Saskatchewan on March 6, 1934. He graduated from high school there in 1952 and moved to Winnipeg to work for the CPR for seven months. In 1953, he moved to Longlac, Ontario where he worked for Kimberly Clark Pulp and Paper for the next 14 years.
On July 14, 1956 Bruce married Vivian Bull (born September 15, 1935) in Geraldton, Ontario. They have two children.
In 1967, the family moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where Bruce obtained employment with Prince Albert Pulpwood (now Weyerhaeuser Canada). His interests are: working with wood, hockey, skiing, and electric trains.
Vivian worked as a secretary, and is now a housewife. Her interests are: knitting, sewing, hockey, church, meals on wheels program, cancer society, and aerobics.
David Hyde
David Bruce, son of Bruce and Vivian Hyde, was born July 9, 1957. He took his schooling in Longlac, Ontario; Prince Albert and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; and Edmonton, Alberta.
On March 7, 1981 David married Peggy Stacey in Prince Albert. Peggy was born November 13, 1958 and grew up in Weirdale, Saskatchewan. She worked for the provincial government and is now a homemaker. Her interests are: their three daughters, reading, crafts, gardening and cooking.
The family now lives in Ardmore, Alberta where David is employed with Esso Resources as an instrument mechanic. His interests include his family, skiing, hunting, fishing and reading.
Lindsey Stacy, daughter of David and Peggy Hyde, was born in Prince Albert on February 6, 1983.
Megan Raine, second daughter of David and Peggy Hyde, was born August 22, 1984 in Prince Albert.
Erin Rose, third daughter of David and Peggy Hyde, was born February 7, 1989.
Alison (Hyde) Rominick
Alison Lindsey, daughter of Bruce and Vivian Hyde, was born February 9, 1962. She took all her schooling in Prince Albert, ending it with a business course. She moved to Edmonton and worked in banking and is now managing a bulk dealership for Petro Canada.
On May 21, 1983 Alison married David Anthony Rominick (born August 30, 1961) in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Alison and David live, with their daughter, on a farm which David operates, besides working in the oil fields. His interests are motor cross racing, welding and horses. Alison’s interests include animals, reading and skiing.
Kelly Jane, daughter of Alison and David Rominick, was born March 2, 1988.
CLARENCE HYDE (by daughter Shirley)
Clarence Victor Hyde, the fourth child of Ruth and George Hyde, was born on July 27, 1899 on their farm at Grenfell, Saskatchewan, which was then known as the North West Territories. His mother died at an early age of thirty-one when Clarence was only six years old. He was left for relatives to bring up as his father had to go away to work. He only had grade 4 education but was a very clever man with his hands and could do just about anything he set his mind to.
Clarence farmed at Rocanville before joining the staff at Eatons in Winnipeg where he spent forty-two years with the electrical engineers. At one time, Clarence was very interested in sports; twice he was on Jim Bloomer’s winning team curling for the McGee Memorial trophy.
On June 20, 1926 Clarence married Dora Stella Woods and they resided in Winnipeg for all of their married lives. Dora was born March 1, 1905 in Port Arthur, Ontario and died at the age of fifty years (November 21, 1955) from heart disease. She was a good mother who worked hard to raise six children. Dora loved to play the piano, especially hymns which were her favorite music. She taught herself to play by note but also played beautifully by ear.
Clarence later met and married Ina Livingston on June 28, 1958 in Winnipeg. Ina also worked for Eatons, in the kitchen on the fifth floor for eighteen years. After they married, they resided in North Kildonan and later moved to Tyndall, Manitoba where Clarence passed away on February 10, 1979. Ina still resides in Tyndall.
DOREEN (HYDE) FRASER
Anne Doreen, the eldest daughter of Clarence and Dora Hyde, was born in Winnipeg on April 26, 1927, and received her public school education there.
In 1945, Doreen married Hugh Stewart Fraser in Winnipeg and they subsequently had four children. Hugh received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology after serving with the RCAF during World War II. He worked as an exploration geologist with Inco until he retired in 1982 after 32 years with the company.
Doreen obtained her Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Brandon in 1975 and was employed as a teacher/librarian with the school district of Mystery Lake at Thompson, Manitoba, where they lived. She was working toward a degree in Educational Administration in Brandon at the time of her death on June 19, 1977.
Following his retirement, Hugh wrote a book called “A Journey North, The Great Thompson Nickel Discovery”. He now resides in Winnipeg.
Hugh Fraser
Hugh John, the eldest child of Doreen and Hugh Fraser, was born in Winnipeg on July 24, 1949. He lives in Thompson, Manitoba where he is the vice-principal of a secondary school.
On September 5, 1970 Hugh married Penelope Glynes Delance at Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Penny works as a registered nurse at Thompson General Hospital. Hugh and Penny have two children.
Megan Gwyneth, daughter of Hugh and Penny Fraser, was born July 5, 1974.
Christopher Hugh, son of Hugh and Penny Fraser, was born May 25, 1977.
Stuart Fraser
Stuart Duncan, the second son of Doreen and Hugh Fraser, was born May 18, 1954 in Copper Cliff, Ontario. Stuart is single and is a teacher in Ottawa, Ontario.
Sheilagh Fraser
Sheilagh Anne, daughter of Doreen and Hugh Fraser, was born in Thompson on December 12, 1959. She currently resides in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.
James Fraser
James, the fourth child of Doreen and Hugh Fraser, was stillborn in Thompson in 1962.
NORMAN HYDE (submitted 1989)
Norman George, the second child of Clarence and Dora Hyde, was born March 2, 1929 in Winnipeg. He attended schools in Winnipeg and St. Boniface to the completion of grade 10.
On July 30, 1949 Norman married Joyce Ethel Theobald, daughter of George and Olga Theobald of Winnipeg, and they have five children. Norman was a truck driver and mechanic. He drove transport trucks on long distance hauling for 30 years for which he received several driving awards. He also owned two trucks for five years. He gave up driving and (along with Joyce) caretakes a 127-apartment building. Norman and Joyce lived in Winnipeg until Norman and Joyce Hyde 1966 when they moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Margorie (Hyde) Forneri
Margorie Lynn (Bunny), the eldest child of Norman and Joyce Hyde, was born March 22, 1951. She attended Lord Kitchener School in Winnipeg for seven years and completed her education in Thunder Bay at Lakehead High were she graduated from grade 12.
On February 3, 1973 Bunny married James Forneri (born November 25, 1951). He has worked for Great Lakes Paper for 15 years. Bunny and James have one son.
David Norman, adopted son of Bunny and James Forneri, was born July 6, 1981 and started grade 1 in 1987.
Terry Hyde
Terry Wayne, the second child of Norman and Joyce Hyde, was born June 1, 1954. He attended school in Winnipeg, and Claude Garton School in Thunder Bay—where he completed grade 12.
On July 1, 1978 Terry married Bonny Leaf (born October 17, 1954). Terry was a truck driver before becoming a salesman for a florist business, then an electrical salesman. Terry and Bonny reside in Thunder Bay with their two daughters.
Danielle Lynn, daughter of Terry and Bonny Hyde, was born April 14, 1983 and began kindergarten in 1987.
Reneé, second daughter of Terry and Bonny Hyde, was born March 19, 1986.
George Hyde
George Victor, the third child of Norman and Joyce Hyde, was born January 17, 1957 and attended public school in Winnipeg, and Thunder Bay where he completed grade 11 at Lakeview High School. He has resided in Thunder Bay since moving there with his family in 1966.
On May 28, 1977 George married Diane Beverly Gibson (daughter of Jack and Reeta Gibson of Ottawa, Ontario) and they have one daughter. George is a transport driver and currently attends Lakehead University where he will obtain a Mechanical Engineering Degree in 1990.
Robyn Lindsay, daughter of George and Diane Hyde, was born March 6, 1979. Dale (Hyde) Dowaniuk
Dale Marie, the second daughter of Norman and Joyce Hyde, was born January 17, 1957. She began her education in Winnipeg and continued at Lakehead High in Thunder Bay to the completion of grade 10.
On February 28, 1974 Dale married Robert Dowaniuk (born 1957). Robert has worked for Abitibi Paper for the past fifteen years. Dale is a homemaker and mother to their three daughters.
Belinda Marie, eldest daughter of Dale and Robert Dowaniuk, was born February 3, 1974 and attends school in Thunder Bay.
Melissa Ann, the second daughter of Dale and Robert Dowaniuk, was born August 26, 1977 and attends school in Thunder Bay.
Amanda Lyn, the third daughter of Dale and Robert Dowaniuk, was born October 16, 1984 and also attends school in Thunder Bay.
Sharon (Hyde) Poirier
Sharon Lee, the youngest child of Norman and Joyce Hyde, was born January 24, 1961. She attended Claude Garton School until grade 8, then Lakehead High where she completed grade 11.
On July 30, 1981 Sharon married Louis Poirier (now deceased). In 1983, Sharon and her family moved back to Winnipeg where they still reside. Besides being a mother to her two children, Sharon is a school bus driver.
Raymond Jean Lucien, son of Sharon and Louis Poirier, was born August 31, 1981.
Kayleen Joyce, daughter of Sharon and Louis Poirier, was born June 21, 1984.
GORDON HYDE
Gordon Victor, the third child of Clarence and Dora Hyde, was born October 10, 1932.
On February 23, 1957 Gordon married Joyce Sydney Gaudrey and they had two children prior to a divorce.
On February 28, 1977 Gordon married Gloria Francis and they have two daughters. They live in Nipigon, Ontario where Gordon is a butcher.
Crystal Hyde
Crystal Dawn, daughter of Gordon and Joyce Hyde, was born December 4, 1957.
Dean Hyde
Dean Gordon, son of Gordon and Joyce Hyde, was born April 15, 1961.
On February 19, 1984 Dean married Leanne Carpenter. They are now divorced. Dean served in the Persian Gulf war of 1991, stationed in Qatar.
Leanne Hyde
Leanne, daughter of Gordon and Gloria Hyde, was born March 18, 1978.
Racheal Hyde
Racheal Maureen, second daughter of Gordon and Gloria Hyde, was born July 25, 1980.
SHIRLEY (HYDE) WATSON (submitted 1990)
Shirley Ruth, the fourth child of Clarence and Dora Hyde, was born March 19, 1934 in Winnipeg and received her education there. After she finished school, Shirley worked in Eatons groceteria before being employed at the mail order in the lingerie department.
On May 10, 1952 Shirley married George Wesley Watson, son of Frank and Gwen Watson of Winnipeg, formerly of Birds Hill, Manitoba, where Wes attended school for eight years. He worked for his father for twenty-four years in the road construction business as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. When his father sold the business in 1972, Wes started working for Birds Hill Gravel and Stone Ltd. where he is presently employed.
Shirley loves to play the piano, especially for her grandchildren. She also likes to knit, crochet and do embroidery work. Wes likes to read and at present is setting up a model railroad layout. They have six children whom are all married. The joys of their lives are their eleven grandchildren.
Glen Watson
Glen Allen, the eldest son of Shirley and Wes Watson, was born in Winnipeg on May 29, 1953 and received his education in the River East school district. After he graduated from Kildonan East School, he worked with his father at Birds Hill Gravel and Stone for one year. On December 27, 1972, he began as an apprentice machinist with CP Rail. At present, Glen is a supervisor in charge of overhauling and repairing wrecking cranes and ballast spreaders in Weston Shops Winnipeg. In his spare time, he likes to go three-wheeling and cross country skiing.
On June 25, 1977 Glen married Heather Lynn Duguid, daughter of John and Pearl Duguid of Winnipeg. They lived in Tyndall, Manitoba for six years, then moved to North Kildonan where they have resided for the past five years. Heather worked as a secretary for the Winnipeg School Division No. 1 for five years. She enjoys crocheting, cross country skiing, and gardening in the summer. Glen and Heather have two children.
Grant Wesley, son of Glen and Heather Watson, was born April 23, 1979 in Winnipeg. He attends Springfield Heights School and likes to play soccer and hockey, and swim.
Amber Lynn, daughter of Glen and Heather Watson, was born in Winnipeg on July 17, 1985.
Cheryl (Watson) McMechan
Cheryl Lynn, the eldest daughter of Shirley and Wes Watson, was born February 11, 1956. She graduated in 1974 from Kildonan East School in Winnipeg (Business Education). Cheryl lived in Thompson from April 1979 until March 1983. She worked for Manitoba Telephone System where she met her husband who was also employed with M.T.S.
On August 30, 1980 Cheryl married David William McMechan, son of Charlie and Margaret McMechan of Deloraine, Manitoba. Cheryl and David moved to The Pas, Manitoba in March 1983 and in August 1986, moved to Brandon. Dave is a service representative for Xerox Canada Inc. and has been employed by them since February 1981. Cheryl is a homemaker. They both enjoy reading, camping, fishing, target shooting, and spending time outdoors with their two sons. On December 22, 1990 the family moved to Red Deer, Alberta where Dave is still employed by Xerox.
Kevin David, son of Cheryl and Dave McMechan, was born May 12, 1983.
Jeffrey Brian, second son of Cheryl and Dave McMechan, was born July 19, 1984.
Trevor Watson
Trevor Craig, the third child of Shirley and Wes Watson, was born August 5, 1957 in Winnipeg and received his education there. He joined the staff of Canada Safeway in 1974 where he is a food clerk.
On September 23, 1978 Trevor married Susan Beth McLean, daughter of Ken and Bette McLean of Winnipeg. Susan was employed as a claims clerk with Reed Stenhouse Ltd. (insurance brokers) from 1974 to 1980. Trevor and Susan have two sons.
Kyle Warren, son of Trevor and Susan Watson, was born May 17, 1982 and attends Ralph Maybank School.
Keith Daniel, the second son of Trevor and Susan Watson, was born March 17, 1986.
Cindy (Watson) Goetz
Cynthia Louise (Cindy), the second daughter of Shirley and Wes Watson, was born August 17, 1959. She received her education in the River East school district, graduating from Kildonan East School with a Diploma in Institutional Services. Cindy was employed at Care-A- Lot Daycare Centre for two years, then at Concordia Hospital where she worked as a supply technician for two years.
On May 24, 1980 Cindy married Heinz Goetz, son of Gerhard and Susanna Goetz of Winnipeg. Heinz came to Canada with his family in 1964 from Paraguay, and also received his education in the River East school district. He has worked at Canada Safeway for fifteen years, presently as first assistant.
Cindy is a homemaker and mother to their two sons. In her spare time, she loves to make jigsaw puzzles; she teaches Sunday School at North Kildonan United Church. Heinz is interested in fishing, golfing, and any sporting activity.
Wayne Steven, son of Cindy and Heinz Goetz, was born December 10, 1982.
Derek Alan, the second son of Cindy and Heinz Goetz, was born August 19, 1984.
Kevin Watson
Kevin Blake, the third son of Shirley and Wes Watson, was born in Winnipeg on April 9, 1961. He received his education in the River East school district where he took his automotive course. He wrote for his diesel papers in 1983 at Red River Community College. Kevin has worked for a few truck dealerships and is presently employed at Powell Equipment as a field service representative. On June 25, 1982 Kevin married Dawn Kathleen Sofraniuk, only daughter of Donna Sofraniuk of Winnipeg. Dawn also received her education in the River East school district and after graduating, worked for Codville as an Accounts Payable Clerk. Kevin and Dawn reside in North Kildonan with their two children.
Dustin Darrell, son of Kevin and Dawn Watson, was born May 12, 1983.
Michele Marie, daughter of Kevin and Dawn Watson, was born June 19, 1986.
Lori (Watson) Olien
Laurel Lee (Lori), the youngest child of Shirley and Wes Watson, was born on May 31, 1962 and received her education at Springfield Heights and Chief Peguis schools. She quite school after grade 9 to work as a waitress at the St. Regis Hotel and save money to put herself through a hairdressing and cosmetologist course at Scientific School. She completed the course in 1979 and worked as a hair stylist for six years.
On September 25, 1982 Lori married Richard James Olien at the home of her parents, the marriage being performed by the Justice of the Peace. Rick was born in Winnipeg on February 8, 1962, the son of Jim and Arlene Olien of Transcona, Winnipeg. He completed his education at Transcona Collegiate and worked at Co-op Implements as a spot welder and general assembler. He is presently employed as a machinist for CP Rail.
Lori enjoys rug hooking in her spare time and also does hairdressing. She likes to do massages and hopes to take a reflexology course some day. Rick loves to play his guitar, golf, fish, and the outdoors in general. They have one daughter.
Leia Ashley, daughter of Lori and Rick Olien, was born in Winnipeg on January 21, 1985.
DENIS HYDE (submitted 1988)
William Denis, the fifth child of Clarence and Dora Hyde, was born at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg on March 2, 1936 and attended Kitchener School in North Kildonan. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces where he was an Air Force Instruments Technician (1953 – 1972).
On November 16, 1957 Denis married Lorna May Skrupski (born October 17, 1940), daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Nick Skrupski, in Winnipeg. Lorna received her education at Garson Senior Secondary School in Garson, Manitoba.
Following basic training at Camp Borden, Ontario in 1953, Denis and family have lived in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba (1954), Germany (1955), Winnipeg (1955 – 60), Edmonton (1960 – 65), Ottawa (1965 – 71), and Selkirk, Manitoba. During his military career, Denis travelled to much of Europe, the Gaza Strip in the Middle East, the Belgian Congo in Africa, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in the Persian Gulf.
In the spring of 1972, Denis, Lorna and their three children moved to White Rock, B.C. In 1973, he founded Ocean Park Home Improvements in White Rock where he has since been active as a building contractor. Lorna was the owner/operator of The Jewellery Shoppe in White Rock (1976 – 79) and a salesperson for Peoples Credit Jewellers (1979 – 87). She has since completed a dental receptionist course in 1988.
Grant Hyde
William Grant, son of Denis and Lorna Hyde, was born in Winnipeg on June 6, 1958. He graduated from Semiahmoo Senior Secondary School in June 1976 and has an Industrial First Aid A Ticket. Grant is a medical attendant and apprentice carpenter, and has been a volunteer fireman since 1979. He has resided in Fort St. John, B.C. since 1980 and enjoys hockey, fishing and hunting.
On September 15, 1984 Grant married Beverly Lynn Enright, daughter of Russel and Mary Enright of Westbank, B.C. Beverly is a security guard and they have two children.
William Scott, son of Grant and Beverly Hyde, was born August 27, 1985.
Stephani Lynn, daughter of Grant and Beverly Hyde, was born February 29, 1988.
Bradley Hyde
William Bradley, the second son of Denis and Lorna Hyde, was born November 9, 1961 in Edm onton, Alberta. He graduated from Semiahmoo Senior Secondary School in June 1979 and has an Industrial First Aid A Ticket. He attended Douglas College in Surrey, B.C. 1985 – 87, and is currently attending New Caledonia College at Prince George in the registered nursing program.
Bradley has worked with the Canadian Coast Guard during summers since 1983. His activities include hockey, skiing, camping, and mountain biking. He is single (and loving it!) Tammy (Hyde) Miller
Tammy Lee, daughter of Denis and Lorna Hyde, was born May 26, 1964 in Edmonton, Alberta. She graduated from Semiahmoo Senior Secondary School in June 1982 and attended Quantlan College in Surrey 1982 – 83 taking office administration. Tammy took a Moore Perry Conveyancing Course in 1983 and is currently a legal conveyancing secretary in Vancouver. She resides in Richmond and enjoys skiing, fitness, reading, and cooking. She was born to shop!
In the summer of 1988, Tammy married Wayne Miller, son of Dave and Shelagh Miller of Victoria, B.C. Wayne is a computer programmer/analyst.
LOIS (HYDE) ELTZ (submitted 1990)
Lois Marjorie, the youngest child of Clarence and Dora Hyde, was born August 8, 1944 and received her education in Winnipeg.
On April 27, 1963 Lois married Robert William Eltz, adopted son of the late Henry and Madge Eltz of Winnipeg. Lois and Robert moved to Thompson, Manitoba in 1965 where Robert was director of maintenance at the General Hospital. In October 1991, they moved to Provost, Albert where Robert has continued with hospital maintenance. They have two daughters.
Drinda (Eltz) Weitz
Drinda Arlene, daughter of Lois and Robert Eltz, was born in Winnipeg on August 22, 1964 and educated in Thompson. She spent five years in air cadets, receiving a flying scholarship. She went on to the air force, spending 4 ½ years as an assistant air traffic controller. Drinda is now living in Calgary training to be a dental assistant.
On August 25, 1990 Drinda married Doug Weitz in Calgary.
Colleen Eltz
Colleen Elizabeth, the second daughter of Lois and Robert Eltz, was born in Thompson on June 26, 1968. She was educated in Thompson where she spent many years playing ringette and later played on a women’s team. Colleen worked part time for the city of Thompson. She is presently living in Calgary and attending school to become a corrections officer. She has a daughter.
Ashley Arlene, daughter of Colleen Eltz, was born June 11, 1987 in Thompson, Manitoba.
VIOLET (HYDE) MELLICK (by daughter Ruth)
Violet Alice Hyde, the fifth and youngest child of Ruth and George Hyde, was born at Grenfell, Saskatchewan on March 9, 1904. She attended school at Grenfell and Rocanville before working as a homemaker at Moosomin.
On June 30, 1923 Violet married Roswell Mellick at Regina. Roswell was born in Bad Axe, Michigan on August 8, 1897, son of Alonzo and Emma Mellick. He served in the First World War from 1915 to 1917 when he was severely wounded and eventually sent home. Violet and Roswell farmed in the Rapid City area of Manitoba until 1938, then moved to Minnedosa with their three children. They were divorced in 1962. Roswell resides in Rivers, Manitoba.
Violet worked as a homemaker for a number of years until she was forced to retire due to ill health. She resided in a seniors’ home in Brandon until her sudden death on August 12, 1990.
ROGER MELLICK (submitted 1988)
Roger George, the eldest child of Violet and Roswell Mellick, was born August 31, 1924 in Rapid City, Manitoba. He completed grade 10 at Minnedosa Collegiate and attended Brandon Technical School to study Auto Mechanics.
In 1948, Roger married Anne Dyck of Morden, Manitoba and they have one son. He served four years in the army during World War II and three years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, 1951 to 1954. Roger is presently an auto technician and they reside in Winnipeg.
Wayne Mellick
Wayne Douglas, the only child of Roger and Anne Mellick, was born on November 28, 1950. He completed grade 11 at Souris Valley Regional School and obtained his grade 12 through a Department of Education test in 1984.
On June 8, 1972 Wayne married Irene Therese Marie Everton, daughter of William Bert and Therese Everton of Winnipeg. Irene has been employed by Great-West Life Assurance Company since 1972 (except for 16 months in 1980 – 81) where she is currently manager of technical services. Wayne and Irene reside in St. Andrews, Manitoba with their two sons.
Wayne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Canadian Studies from the University of Winnipeg in October 1987. He is presently completing a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Manitoba while working as a graduate student and teaching assistant. While attaining his Bachelor of Arts Degree, Wayne received the following awards: Saul Simkins Scholarship for Canadian Studies; Jessiman Scholarship for Political Science; and General Proficiency Scholarship.
Jeffrey Bert Roger, son of Wayne and Irene Mellick, was born November 25, 1983.
Eric Raymond Phillip, the second son of Wayne and Irene Mellick, was born October 17, 1988.
VERNA (MELLICK) VIENNEAU
Verna Luzetta, daughter of Violet and Roswell Mellick, was born on July 4, 1925 at Rocanville, Saskatchewan. She attended school at Wallace in the Municipality of Saskatchewan and also at Minnedosa, Manitoba.
On October 18, 1942 Verna married Patrick Joseph Vienneau at Rapid City, Manitoba. Patrick was born March 17, 1917 at Robertville, New Brunswick, son of Theodore and Theresa Vienneau. He served in the Second World War from 1942 to 1945.
Verna and Patrick then moved to Vernon, and later to Campbell River, B.C. Patrick worked in the construction business for several years, then owned and operated a commercial fishing boat. They had three children.
Verna died accidentally on September 26, 1964. Patrick later returned to New Brunswick where he married Sylvia Roy of Bathurst. Patrick died of heart disease on April 6, 1986.
Charlotte (Vienneau) Primeau
Charlotte Ann, daughter of Verna and Patrick Vienneau, was born January 3, 1944 in Minnedosa, Manitoba. She attended Campbell River Junior Senior High School in British Columbia, completing grade 12, before taking secretarial/bookkeeping courses in Wheat City Business College in Brandon, Manitoba.
On November 10, 1964 Charlotte married Otto Detley Schack Von Brockdorff, son of Edith and the late Christian Franz Schack Von Brockdorff of Campbell River, B.C. Otto was a photographer in the United States Army, 1964 – 1972. They had one son prior to their divorce in Columbus, Georgia in 1973.
On February 14, 1973 Charlotte married Joseph Theophile Primeau, Jr., son of Aimee Marie (Roberge) and Joseph Theophile Primeau of Minot, North Dakota. Joe was a combat photographer in the United States Army, 1964 – 1973; a military social worker, 1973 – 1981; a senior medical sergeant/first sergeant, 1981 – 1986; retired 1986. He is now a full-time student at Troy State University, Alabama, working on his graduate program Masters Degree in Personnel Management.
Joe’s service merits include two purple hearts, three meritorious service medals, four army commendation medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. His civilian achievement is his Bachelor of Science Degree attained from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii in March 1987.
Charlotte became a United States citizen in Honolulu in June 1980. As a civilian worker in the U.S. Army, she helped establish Aliamanu Military Reservation Library, Hawaii, built in an extinct volcano crater, and received an army commendation award and $100 incentive award in 1982.
Charlotte and Joe have two children. Travel has provided the family with numerous experiences, colourful interests, and too many anecdotes to list.
Kristian Detley, son of Charlotte and Otto Schack Von Brockdorff and adopted by Joe Primeau, was born December 3, 1966 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He graduated from navy basic training in Orlando, Florida in September 1984, and was an active U.S. Navy Reservist, 1984 – 89.
Ann Marie, adopted daughter of Charlotte and Joe Primeau, was born in Seoul, Korea on August 1, 1969. She graduated from Kendrick High School in June 1987 and has been involved in community work (church, school, committees, etc.). She joined the Roman Catholic Church, Honolulu, Hawaii in November 1982 with Father Maurice McNealy.
Ross Vienneau
Roswell Patrick, son of Verna and Patrick Vienneau, was born in Vernon, B.C. on January 22, 1947. Ross attended Willow Point Elementary School, then Campbell River Junior Senior High School (CARIHI) and completed grade 10 occupational program. In 1965, he began working for B.C. Forest Service and later went into construction (laborer) in various places. In 1967, he entered logging in various smaller companies and in 1968, worked as an office clerk for a concrete company.
On September 27, 1969 Ross married Christina Jean Grove (born October 5, 1945 in Garden Bay, B.C.) the only daughter of Oscar and Camillia Glover of Campbell River. Christina worked as a clerk/typist and then a homemaker. They have two children.
Ross is interested in hunting, salmon fishing and building. He has completed industrial first aid courses and holds an “A” ticket; he also holds a B.C. government weighscale license. In his school years, he was involved with the sea cadets of the Admiral DeWolfe Corps.
Robert Alexander Grove, son of Christina and stepson of Ross Vienneau, was born in Campbell River, B.C. on April 12, 1966.
John-Paul David Patrick, son of Ross and Christina Vienneau, was born in Campbell River on August 5, 1976.
Robert Vienneau
Robert John, the third child of Verna and Patrick Vienneau, was born April 9, 1958. He attended school in Campbell River until 1967, then moved to New Brunswick to reside with his father Patrick and stepmother Sylvia, where he completed his education.
Robert is now employed as a hairdresser in Victoria, B.C. where he lives.
RUTH (MELLICK) YEO (submitted 1991)
Ruth Emma, the youngest child of Violet and Roswell Mellick, was born October 9, 1930 at Rapid City, Manitoba. She attended school at Minnedosa, after which she attended Wheat City Business College in Brandon. Ruth completed a bookkeeping course in 1948 and held the position of bookkeeper for various companies until she retired on September 30, 1982.
On August 5, 1950 Ruth married George Joseph Jorgenson and they had three children. George was employed with Coca-Cola Company as a plant superintendent until his death on February 20, 1973 due to a heart attack. On July 6, 1978 Ruth married John Edwin Yeo, son of Major and May Yeo of Brandon, Manitoba. Ed was employed by the CPR from 1941 to 1983 when he retired from his position of yardmaster. Ruth and Ed now reside at Rivers, Manitoba.
Pamela (Jorgenson) Schlenker
Pamela Diane, daughter of Ruth and George Jorgenson, was born June 20, 1951 in Brandon and graduated from Vincent Massey High School in 1968.
On May 1, 1975 Pam married Carl Volker Schlenker, the son of Hilda and Ernst Schlenker. Carl and his family immigrated to Canada from Schwenningen, Germany when Carl was six years of age. For the first twelve and a half years of their marriage, Pam and Carl lived in the small community of Spruce Grove, just west of Edmonton, Alberta, where their son was born. In June 1987, they moved to an acreage just north of Stony Plain, Alberta.
Pam was employed in the radio advertising business for a number of years before deciding to further her education in 1986. The radio stations where she worked included CKX in Brandon, CJOB in Winnipeg, CHQT, CJCA, and CKXM in Edmonton. In April 1988, Pam graduated from Grant MacEwan Community College with a Diploma in Audio/Visual Communications.
Carl has worked at R. Angus Alberta Limited since 1975; in the spring of 1990, the family was transferred to White Rock, B.C.
Douglas Matthew, son of Pam and Carl Schlenker, was born May 10, 1978. Deborah (Jorgenson) Cameron
Deborah Leigh, the second daughter of Ruth and George Jorgenson, was born March 1, 1956 at Brandon, Manitoba. She attended J.R. Reid Elementary School, Earl Oxford Junior High and Neelin High School in Brandon where she graduated in 1975. She went on to attend Assiniboine Community College and completed a course in Architectural Drafting, but was unable to secure employment in that field. Deborah has since been employed with the Royal Bank of Canada, on and off, for the past 13 years.
On August 4, 1978 Deborah married Randy James Cameron, son of Donald and Helen Cameron of Carievale, Saskatchewan. They lived in Regina where Randy was employed with Deutz-Allis Farm Equipment as a regional sales manager. Deborah and Randy had two sons prior to their divorce in December 1990. Deborah now resides in Winnipeg with her sons and Randy is in Toronto.
Christopher James, son of Deborah and Randy Cameron, was born May 22, 1980.
Craig William, the second son of Deborah and Randy Cameron, was born July 4, 1983.
Richard Jorgenson
Richard Clark, son of Ruth and George Jorgenson, was born July 5, 1962 at Brandon, Manitoba. He attended J.R. Reid and Park elementary schools and Earl Oxford Junior High School where he was very active in sports, especially running, and won several awards. After completing grade 9, Richard worked with a janitorial service. He later upgraded his education to a grade 12 level. He now works with Zipper Courier as an owner/operator driver in Winnipeg.
On August 5, 1985 Richard married Marlene Marie Duhamel, daughter of Rita and the late Anthony Joseph Duhamel of Atikoken, Ontario. They are now separated.
ALBERT
Albert Edward Millham, the ninth child and fifth son of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Minnedosa, Manitoba on December 24, 1878. He completed a grade 3 education and was employed as a carpenter, before moving with his parents to their Hazelcliffe homestead in 1890.
On March 9, 1898 Albert made entry for his own homestead (NE10-18-33 W1) in the Qu’Appelle Valley, just south of his parents. He commenced breaking the land and acquiring livestock on his property while continuing to live at home with his parents, and by February 4, 1905, he had 50 acres broken and owned 3 horses and 6 cattle. A two-wire fence enclosed 140 acres and a 12’x16’ granary had been erected.
On December 14, 1904 Albert married Elsie Amanda Alm, daughter of Magnus and Amanda (Fagerstrom) Alm who lived in the stone house on an adjacent quarter. Elsie was born in Helsinki, Finland to Swedish parents on January 26, 1884 and moved with her family to Canada in about 1891 and to their homestead (SE10) in 1895. She spent her summers herding cattle in the valley at a remuneration of $1/cow for the season, then moved to Minnedosa where she apprenticed with her sister as a seamstress for a time prior to her marriage.
Albert and Elsie lived on and farmed his father’s homestead (SE22-18-33 W1), where their first five children were born. Albert’s homestead quarter was sold to Mike Tinnish in 1912.
In 1915, following the death of his father, Albert acquired the NW22 which had originally been his brother Alfred’s homestead. They decided to move there, so that fall a barn was built and they moved in. (SE22 was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schuelke in about 1916 and bought back in about 1939.) The family lived in the barn for a year, the living quarters being on the lower level and sleeping quarters in the loft, where their sixth child was born. The new two- story house was completed in 1916, and remains in use today by Albert’s grandson and family. Two more sons were born there.
In 1927, Albert bought SW27 from the CPR; in 1929, he bought W ½ 21; and a short time later, SW29. For about five years, he owned SW6-19-32 northeast of Hazelcliffe and for a time, another quarter farther north. During that time when his land was spread around, he had up to 16 horses to pull the machinery. In about 1936, Albert and Elsie bought SW28. They subsequently built a new house there and, with their youngest son, moved in 1940. Retirement in 1946 saw them move to Vancouver.
Albert was very athletic and loved sports. Once, at Shellmouth, when still a youth, he was challenged to a race by a braggart and bully. Being a good runner, Albert beat him and heard no more. He encouraged all his boys to participate in sports—they were allowed to quit work early to attend ball games. Albert was also a good swimmer and had no difficulty in swimming across Round Lake.
He was one of the original members of the United Grain Growers, a faithful member of Hazelcliffe Presbyterian and later United Church, trustee of Hazelcliffe School District #285 for several years, a director of Tantallon Agricultural Society, and overseer of road construction in the Hazelcliffe area. Elsie was also active in the community, especially Ladies’ Aid.
Albert was very unhappy with retirement in Vancouver since his only interests were in farming and his family. In 1951, they moved back to Hazelcliffe and resided in Fred’s house for a while before buying and moving into a house in Esterhazy.
Following about six months in hospital, Albert passed away on May 25, 1953. Elsie continued to live in Esterhazy and spent the winters with her daughter in Saskatoon. In January 1958, she fractured a hip from which she never recovered and it was discovered that cancer had recurred. She passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1958. Both were buried in Hazelcliffe cemetery.
ALBERT AND ELSIE MILLHAM (1878 – 1953) (1884 – 1958) married 1904
1. Frederick Albert (1905 – 1963) 2. Myrtle Elsie (1907 - ) 3. Clifford Charles (1909 – 1936) 4. Archie Howard (1912 – 1917) 5. Ralph Lawrence (1914 - ) 6. Harold Roy (1916 – 1967) 7. Howard Lloyd (1919 – 1980) 8. Ross Edward (1927 - )
1. Frederick – Nan Lee – Hazel Miller 1. Sheldon – Hilda Iberer 1. Brenda 3. Rodney 5. David 2. Ronald 4. Deborah
2. Sheila – Lorne Bradley 1. Grant 2. Laurie
3. Clifford – Pat Cragg – Vel McCaw 1. Shannon 3. Warren 2. Rhonda
4. Dean – Lou Pederson 1. Melissa
5. Craig – Sue Tessier 1. Andria 2. Alicia
6. Brent
2. Myrtle – Rupert Williams 1. Audrey – Wilf Taylor 1. Lanny 3. Debra 2. Dawn 4. Blair
2. Joan – Vern Graham – Jack Fonger 1. Shelley 3. Jacqueline 5. Janet 2. Shawn 4. Judith
3. Clifford
4. Archie
5. Ralph – Margaret Markland 1. Elsie Maude – Ernest Whelpton 1. Philip 3. Susan 2. Scott 4. Justin
2. Marion – Barry Kingdon 1. Jennifer 2. Jason
3. Douglas – Brenda Brace 1. Kathaleen 3. Rebecca 2. Mark
6. Harold – Irene Fulton 1. Jean – Jack Knourek 1. Rodney 3. Kenneth 2. Paul 4. Kathleen
2. James – Beverly Kitsch 1. Ashley 3. Jamie 2. Carmen
3. Darlene – Robert Smith 1. Kristy 2. Kevin
7. Howard – Frances Murphy – Isobel 1. Dwight
2. Dwayne – Barbara
3. Nancy – Rick Blaskin 1. Troy 2. Carey
4. Bonnie
5. Patricia – Jim Lawrence 1. Craig 3. Bobbi 2. Kirby
6. Angela – Jerry Matsumoto 1. Corey 2. Jerianne
7. Kellie – Kevin Finley
8. Ross – Marion Wonnacott 1. Earl – Jeanette Richards 1. Jennifer 2. Jonathon
2. Cheryl – Darryl McKenzie 1. Nicholas 3. Shawna 2. Kevin 4. Thomas
FRED MILLHAM (by daughter Sheila)
Frederick Albert Millham, the eldest son of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born November 15, 1905. He attained grade eight at Hazelcliffe School but was frequently absent because of eczema and helping with the farm work. He (and Dave Brown) took an agricultural blacksmith course in Brandon, Manitoba. On a rainy day, Dad could be found working in his father’s shop. He farmed with his father and brothers until his marriage, when he took over the west half of section 29-18-33 W1 (which his father had owned.)
On July 25, 1934, in Hazelcliffe Church, Dad married Annie Elizabeth (Nan) Lee in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Agnes and Rev. Wesley Harland. Mom, born August 24, 1908, was the third daughter of John S. and Mary Lee of Hazelcliffe. She attended Kingslynn School and in 1934, graduated as a registered nurse from Yorkton Union Hospital. Dad was a mixed farmer – growing grain, pigs, and some cattle. He cleared his land of trees (which were mostly poplar and big oaks) with horses and the sod was turned with a 14-inch woodbeam bush breaker.
Dad was a community man helping with the United Church (secretary, elder and maintenance), telephone company, Wheat Pool, and Hazelcliffe rink. With his interest in carpentry he, along with Mike Smart, planned and was overseer of building the new curling rink. He was an ardent curler, often competing for the Walker or Lopston trophies. Dad loved gardening and flowers (like his mother) and would order bedding plants by train from Patmores Nursery in Brandon. He successfully showed grains, flowers and vegetables at Tantallon Fair.
Mom was a happy person and her main interests were their three children, her church (she was a dedicated choir member), and her community. She loved music and because of her musical ability, she was often asked to sing solos at church, weddings, and community functions. After suffering for abut a year with a sclerosis (we think it was Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Mom passed away at home in January 1947. Then Aunt Alice Lee interrupted her teaching career to come and help take care of us.
In 1950, Dad entered Fort San Sanitarium to spend 2 ½ years being treated for tuberculosis. Besides “having a great deal of time to think”, he kept busy doing handcrafts.
On November 12, 1954 Dad married Hazel Helen Miller (born a twin on March 18, 1918), the fourth daughter of William and the late Agnes Miller of Tantallon, and they subsequently had three sons. They continued to farm until Dad’s health forced them to move to Tantallon to be with Hazel’s brothers, Jim and Bob.
Dad lost his battle with cancer in March, 1963, on his son’s second birthday. Although he had dealt with much adversity in his short life, I never heard him complain about his troubles. Hazel now lives on her brothers’ dairy farm at Sardis, B.C.
SHELDON MILLHAM (by wife Hilda, 1991)
Sheldon the eldest child of Fred and Nan Millham, was born May 28, 1936 at home on the family farm. He attended Hazelcliffe School to the completion of grade 8 and took grade 9 by correspondence. While his dad was in the sanitarium, Sheldon operated the farm, and also worked for his Uncle Harold through one summer. He then moved to Regina where he attended Balfour Tech and worked for the railroad.
Sheldon joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in February 1958 and went to boot camp at St. Jean, Quebec. At Clinton, Ontario, he trained for a career in electronics, ground crew, before being posted to Foymount, Ontario about 100 miles west of Ottawa. When Princess Margaret visited Canada in 1958, Sheldon was a member of the Honor Guard. He drove back to Regina in the fall of 1959 to get married.
On September 12, 1959 Sheldon married Hilda Aloisia Iberer who was born June 22, 1940 in Regina to Alois and Lydia (Schafer) Iberer, the middle of three daughters. Lydia died 1 ½ years later and Alois remarried Ella Schmalenberg. Hilda grew up in Regina and attended Thompson Elementary School and Balfour Tech. Music in the form of piano and singing, drama and church work were her interests. She played the part of “Marie” in the CBC Radio program, “Ici La Francais.”
Both families were present at the wedding but because of harvest, many had to miss the service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Regina. On the following Monday, we left Saskatchewan to travel back to Foymount where Sheldon was stationed. That trip was our “honeymoon”. Throughout life, we were to experience many “holidays” due to transfers from one military base to another. Wonderful opportunities for us all!
Amid a golden blaze of fall foliage, we arrived at Eaganville, Ontario. Our first home was in a tiny one-bedroom house which was built into a hill. Our roof was supposed to be the lawn of the house above us, so we really were snug as a bug in a rug. After a few months, we moved near to the hamlet of Cormack in a slightly bigger house. According to the natives of the area, Foymount was built on the top of a mountain, but to us it seemed like a high hill. There, Sheldon got involved with playing ball, bowling and curling. One year and fifteen days after we became two, Brenda Marie made us three and we embarked on the long journey of parenthood. I remember that we panicked when Brenda seemed to be sneezing a lot – we thought she was sick. Our neighbor laughed and laughed. It was only fluff from the new clothes that was tickling her nose! We grew and matured, and grew wiser as parents as the years and the children increased.
Ronald Paul was hurried into this world in September 1961. Sheldon had to leave right away for his second posting – this time to Flin Flon, Manitoba. The rest of us followed when Ron was about two and a half weeks old. Flin Flon was a huge rock with houses glued on top. They mined copper from that rock and we could time our clocks by the underground dynamite explosions. We settled into a small two-bedroom house on Queen Street, which we later bought, enlarged, and sold. This experience of living in Flin Flon taught us many new things too. The many lakes provided beautiful and plentiful pickerel, while northern bush was packed with moose. The short summers were filled with mosquitoes, black flies and playing baseball. That left three-quarters of the year for winter and curling. In the spring of 1963, just before our third child was born, Sheldon returned to Hazelcliffe to bury his father, Fred Millham.
In the fall of 1963, we were on the road again. Sheldon was sent to Denver, Colorado for a three-month course. What a ride! We left Flin Flon in snow with three babies in the back seat, us in the front, and all our basic necessities for three months in and on top of our car. A non-stop trip except when Sheldon’s eyes couldn’t stay open any more. Pull over to the side, and while Sheldon got a few winks, I ran the kids around to help wear off their youthful energy. After three days and two nights, we arrived in Colorado to seventy degree weather and no place to lay our heads. We eventually settled into a court where a couple from Michigan and a couple from Florida became our friends and adopted “family”. The experience of pooling our material goods, our food and our traditions for that American Thanksgiving Day made it a truly memorable affair indeed!
During our stay in Denver, we went to see the Garden of the Gods. Brenda sat under the Balanced Rock. It was fun to see the reaction of our friends from Florida as they experienced snow for the first time – ice skating, making angels in the snow, the sparkle of the snow, the heavy outer baby clothes were all new to those two. My lesson – open your eyes to everyday things around you. They are beautiful.
The Christmas and New Year holidays of 1963 were the first we were able to share with our own parents in Regina and Hazelcliffe. Altogether, five years passed while we were posted in Flin Flon and in the fall of 1965, we were on the move again. This time, we camped. We passed through Saskatchewan, then Banff, Alberta and on to Kamloops, B.C. where we stayed at Uncle Ross and Aunt Marion’s house. Brenda and Ron remember that time because the bathtub got filled to the very brim! We arrived at our new base – Comox and eventually settled into a small house on a large lot. It had a garden, a young pear tree, a mature fruit-bearing apple tree, goldfish pond, and a real holly bush. It was nice to look at but very prickly on the ground around it. The flowers, high trees, short winters, flowering trees, were all new experiences for us. It took us a year to acclimatize, as we shivered due to the dampness.
In December 1967 Deborah Ann entered our lives, a brand new baby to love and cuddle. Brenda and Ronald thought this was wonderful and watched her grow minute by minute, hour by hour. The day she got old enough to get into their “stuff” was the day she wasn’t so adorable to them any more!
The dampness and mold began to take its toll on Sheldon. He was in and out of hospitals, back and forth to Victoria, but finally they solved the problem and posted him to a drier place – Beaverlodge, Alberta. His health improved dramatically.
In Beaverlodge, we bought a three and a half bedroom bungalow and while still living in it, remodeled it into a five bedroom split-level home. A very trying time for all, but we learned to appreciate the everyday things one tends to take for granted in a house – stairs rather than ladders to move from floor to floor; a sturdy roof which doesn’t let rain pour in or stray cats fall through; light switches rather than carrying a lamp around; walls around your bathroom for privacy. Some of the things turned out to be handy. Some examples – lots of wall space to tack up school work and colorings; a telephone on a swinging two by four made a longer stretch possible. One time, along with two other couples, Sheldon bought forty live chickens. He killed them and showed the girls how to pluck them outside in the back yard. He needed a quick way to get those freshly steamed chickens from the kitchen to the back yard, so he just dropped one of the walls out! An instant door and plenty wide enough. Our kitchen was fairly cold that winter because of the unfinished house so we had to put our Christmas oranges into the refrigerator (off the floor) to keep them from freezing.
Sheldon split that house back into its original two parts. He jacked one part up eight feet and built a garage under it. The second part he only jacked up four feet and put a basement under it and bedrooms on top – a huge undertaking but not too bit a challenge for Sheldon. Even Deborah had this same kind of spirit – when she was told all the leaves had to fall off the trees before her expected brother or sister would come, she recruited her friends and together they started ripping leaves off the trees so her “baby brother could hurry up and come”. Finally David Neal arrived by emergency caesarean section on October 2, 1971. Because Sheldon was picking potatoes that day, it is still called “potato picking day” rather than David’s birthday.
Uncle Clifford, Auntie Pat, Shannon, Rhonda and Warren lived in Wembley just a few miles away so we visited back and forth often. We spent special holidays together, especially Christmas. On the morning of Christmas day we had a sweet “braid”. After our big meal, the men and boys did up all the dishes while the women got the younger ones ready for tobogganing. Once we would be at Beaverlodge and the next special occasion was celebrated in Wembley.
We left Beaverlodge in 1975 and came to C.F.B. Medley which is very near Cold Lake, Alberta. Here we became just a number as this was the largest base we had ever seen. We took up residence in the P.M.Q. Sheldon worked out at Primrose – the range for testing military aerial equipment. He was part of a force of men that maintained ten camera sites used to film the testing missions.
In May 1980 Sheldon retired, as Master Corporal, from military life and we moved into our present abode in Grand Centre, Alberta. One by one our four children grew up and they all graduated from grade 12 at the local high school. Our children exhibited many fine talents; all share a love of music and people.
In May 1989, it was my turn to vacation in hospitals. I was diagnosed as a severe diabetic and put on insulin twice a day. Now, in December 1990, I have been healed by the Lord and am off insulin.
Through the years, Sheldon has been employed in many different fields: plumbing, carpentry, electrician, taxi driving, bar-tending, landscaping, cement work, street repair, billboard posting, and barbering (Sheldon cut Pittsburgh Penguin, Bobby Clark’s hair when he was a boy growing up in Flin Flon.)
Currently, Sheldon is working for the Public Works Department of the Town of Grand Centre. He putters around fixing everything for the town. Our grandchildren fill most of our spare time with sheer enjoyment and pleasure. We want to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has kept us and delivered us during our lives. The Sheldon Millham family has been kept intact by Him and we are truly grateful to all those people Jesus used to help us, love us, and encourage us in every arena of our lives.
Brenda (Millham) Poirier
Brenda Marie, the eldest child of Sheldon and Hilda Millham, was born September 27, 1960. She is a talented artist who loves to paint, especially pictures of animals.
On June 8, 1985 Brenda married Lawrence Poirier of Grand Centre and they now reside in a trailer on an acreage just outside Cold Lake, Alberta with their son. Brenda and Lawrence both love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ and one day will be in the full-time ministry.
Jared Cail, son of Brenda and Lawrence Poirier, was born June 1, 1989.
Ron Millham
Ronald Paul, the second child of Sheldon and Hilda Millham, was born September 11, 1961. He loved to play hockey and while in air cadets, he received the Air Cadet of the Year trophy. He has his journeyman carpenter’s papers and worked at the military base.
On August 19, 1989 Ron married Kelly Lynn Shindell in a private ceremony in her parents’ lovely garden. Since then they have settled into a trailer in Grand Centre, and have two children and Cassey, a large golden lab dog which took to the babies and protects them well. Kelly works in the public health center.
Samuel Alexander (Alex), son of Ron and Kelly Millham, was born March 31, 1990. He is the first male Millham of his generation as were his dad Ron, his grandfather Sheldon, and great grandfather Fred, of theirs.
Stephanie Alisha, daughter of Ron and Kelly Millham, was born April 26, 1991.
Rodney Millham
Rodney Sheldon, the third child of Sheldon and Hilda Millham, was born April 19, 1963. On February 12, 1965 at twenty-two months of age, due to a sudden crib death, Rodney went to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Deborah (Millham) MacIntyre
Deborah Ann, the second daughter of Sheldon and Hilda Millham, was born December 10, 1967. She was very active in figure skating, and gymnastics where she came in thirteenth in the province of Alberta one year. She furthered her education after grade 12 with a secretarial course.
On October 11, 1986 Deb married Vincent MacIntyre. They live in a lovely large home in Bonnyville, Alberta with their son and standard poodle, Dusty Rose. Vince is employed by Esso.
Gordon Tyler, son of Deb and Vince MacIntyre, was born July 16, 1989. David Millham
David Neal, the youngest child of Sheldon and Hilda Millham, was born October 2, 1971. He accumulated trophies in soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton. Between those events, he went to school!
At present David is working on an apprentice program through NAIT, in the field of cooking. He desires to be a teacher – gym and home economics. At the age of fifteen, David decorated his sister Deb’s wedding cake. It was three tiers of pink roses, which he cranked out while watching television.
SHEILA (MILLHAM) BRADLEY (submitted 1991)
Sheila Lee, the only daughter of Fred and Nan Millham, was born at home (SW29-18-33 W1) on May 10, 1939. I received my education at Hazelcliffe country school, grades 9 and 10 by correspondence, and grades 11 and 12 at Esterhazy High School. (I took my grade 2 at Drinkwater while staying with Aunt Alice – a teacher – when my mom was ill.) Following my mother’s death, I was cared for by my dad and my mother’s sister, Alice Lee. I spent one year that Dad was in the San with Aunt Alice and Clifford at Grandma Lee’s. That year we didn’t attend school, so Aunt Alice taught us at home.
When I was 13, Dad felt that our family could manage on our own so Aunt Alice moved back to her mother’s. That fall, I contracted bulbar polio, so was again looked after and nursed back to health by Aunt Alice (with the help of Aunts Mamie and Jean) at Grandma Lee’s. I will be forever grateful for the help and support that I received from my loving family during my life.
During 1957 – 58, I attended Regina College and the following year, Teacher’s College in Moose Jaw where I received my Permanent Teacher’s Certificate. I taught grade one for three years at Lakeview School in Regina followed by three years at Esterhazy.
On July 27, 1963 in Hazelcliffe Church, I married Lorne William Arthur Bradley (born February 4, 1934), the second son of Wilbert and Alice (Tebb) Bradley, neighboring farmers. We lived for one year on SW28-18-33 W1, which we rented from Aunt Alice (Lee) McClung, before we moved to my original home on SW29. We had bought the west half of that section in April 1963 after my dad’s passing. Lorne also continued to farm with his oldest brother, Rae.
With the help of family and neighbors, we built our new home in 1967. What comforts we enjoyed – an oil furnace and running water! (Previously, all drinking water had been hauled from Uncle Ralph’s or another close relative’s.) We became very involved with our two children’s activities – especially Band Boosters, 4-H, hockey and curling – as well as the Tantallon Agricultural Society and the Esterhazy United Church. Our “Thrill of a Lifetime” happened in 1982, when we flew to Arusha, Tanzania, Africa to spend two weeks with Lorne’s brother Bob and his family who were there on the Canadian – Tanzanian Wheat Project. What we saw made (and still makes) us count our blessings!
In 1980, when our children were in their middle years at school, I returned to teaching as a substitute in the Potashville School Unit. In the fall of 1988, I took the kindergarten – grade one position at Gerald, Sask. (a small school with only kindergarten to grade three) where I am still teaching. With full-time employment, I had to give up my greenhouse and selling plants, but I still enjoy my flowers and continue to help family and friends with floral arrangements for weddings, etc. I also decorate cakes for special occasions and in the future hope to have more time for additional handcrafts.
We are happy to have our son Grant join our farming operation. We continue to grow grain and oilseeds, and specialize in Simmental cattle. Lorne enjoys his curling, and we both like reading and dancing. We hope to be able to do more traveling – so who knows – maybe we’ll meet more of our family because of this book!
Grant Bradley
GrantWesley, son of Sheila and Lorne Bradley, was born in Regina on March 23, 1966. While attending school in Esterhazy, he was involved in ball, hockey, band, Tantallon 4-H Beef Club, cattle shows and sales, and curling. Following grade 12, he completed one year at Brandon University in General Studies, but didn’t continue because his heart was with farming. He returned to work full time for Evan and Linda Cuss at Sunrise Simmentals, Spy Hill, Sask. where he had been employed two previous summers.
In April 1989, Grant bought the north half of section 28-18-33 W1 (an original Gordon homestead) from Benny and Betty Forst, and came home to farm with his dad and Uncle Rae. He now lives in his own home – enjoying his grain farm, his garden, his Simmental cattle, fitting and showing cattle for others, curling and entertaining.
Laurie Bradley
Laurie Ann, daughter of Sheila and Lorne Bradley, was born in Esterhazy on February 12, 1968. While she attended school in Esterhazy, she was involved with piano lessons, two bands, Tantallon 4-H Beef Club, Esterhazy Student Association, curling, and was Saskatchewan Simmental Queen for a year. She especially relished the band trips to Quebec City and Expo ’86 at Vancouver. When she was at university in Saskatoon, Laurie worked part time at Sunnyside Nursing Home, the Crisis Nursery, and volunteer work with the elderly and at the Sexual Assault Center. Her variety of summer jobs included: babysitting, picking stones, Playground Supervisor for the Qu’Appelle Valley Recreational Association, and Esterhazy Care Home. She received her B.A. at the U. of S. and will complete the requirements for her degree in Social Work from the University of Regina in December 1991.
CLIFFORD MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Clifford Marshall, the third child of Fred and Nan Millham, was born in Esterhazy Hospital on February 28, 1943. He, along with his cousins Elsie Maude and Jean, was baptized in Hazelcliffe United Church on Easter Sunday that year. Following his mother’s death, Clifford was also cared for by his father and Aunt Alice. He attended school at Hazelcliffe until it was closed and then was bussed to Esterhazy where he completed grade twelve.
On December 5, 1964 Cliff married Patricia Leona Cragg (born May 18, 1946) of Arborfield whom he had met while working on road construction. He took courses at Moose Jaw to obtain his carpentry papers. With their three children, Cliff and Pat lived at Moose Jaw and Regina, Sask. and Wembley, Alberta before being divorced. Cliff moved to Edmonton where he met and married Margaret Wieschorster at Bonneyville, Alberta. Following their divorce, he lived at Grand Centre, Alberta; Pierceland, Sask.; and then Flin Flon, Manitoba.
On July 15, 1989, in Saskatoon, Cliff married Velma McCaw of Flin Flon. With this marriage, he acquired a step-son, Allan and a stepdaughter, Sheila. Cliff, Vel and Sheila now live on an acreage just south of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan.
Shannon Millham
Shannon Dawn, daughter of Cliff and Pat Millham, was born June 12, 1965 in Moose Jaw and moved with her parents to Regina at the age of one year and to Wembley at the age of five. She attended Wembley Elementary School for grades one to nine and played the flute in the school band. To complete high school, Shannon attended Beaverlodge Regional High where she graduated in 1983. She was also involved in Brownies, 4-H Multi Club, slow pitch, figure skating, basketball and volleyball.
While in high school, Shannon worked part time at Zellers in Grande Prairie, then moved there in 1983 to work full time. During 1989-90, she was a volunteer for the Grande Prairie Association for the Deaf. In 1990, she was transferred to Zellers. In 1990 and 1991, Shannon has attended Grant MacEwen College and Alberta College in Edmon ton to study American Sign Language. Her interests include sewing, crafts, reading, raising houseplants, and outdoor activities.
Rhonda Millham
Rhonda Colleen, the second daughter of Cliff and Pat Millham, was born on July 12, 1966 in Regina and lived there until the age of four when the family moved to Wembley. She attended Wembley Elementary School for grades one to nine and played clarinet in the school band. Rhonda attended Beaverlodge Regional High School for grade 10 and Grande Prairie Composite High School for grade 11. Her other activities included Brownies, 4-H Multi Club, curling, volleyball, basketball and slow pitch.
During the summers of 1981 and 1982, Rhonda worked for the Town of Wembley under the student program. In 1983, she worked part time at Zellers in Grande Prairie prior to moving, in 1984, to Mossleigh, Alberta where she was employed as a gas station attendant. She moved in 1989 to Carsland, Alberta where she is working as a bar attendant in the Carsland Hotel. Her interests include: camping, 4x4ing, outdoor sports, and growing houseplants.
Warren Millham
Warren Clifton, son of Cliff and Pat Millham, was born in Regina on May 10, 1969 and moved to Wembley at the age of one year. He attended Wembley Elementary School for grades one to nine and played trombone in the school band. For half of grade ten, Warren lived in Edmonton before moving to Grande Prairie where he graduated in 1987. He was an avid hockey player in leagues since the age of five years, and was also active in Cubs, badminton, tennis, slow pitch, handball, curling, and volleyball.
Warren worked part time as a stockboy at Woolworths in Grande Prairie while in grade ten, and in the sports department of Canadian Tire through grades eleven and twelve. Following a brief stint at Almac Wireline Services in 1987, he has been employed at NorWard Energy Resources as a well testing supervisor for the past 3 ½ years.
DEAN MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Frederick Dean, the eldest son of Fred and Hazel Millham, was born in Yorkton, Sask. on February 2, 1959 and moved with his mother and brothers to Sardis, B.C. in 1973. Dean graduated from BCIT in 1980 with a diploma of Technology in Surveying and lived in Nanaimo, B.C. until 1983.
On December 7, 1985 Dean married Louella Peterson who was born August 22, 1959 in Santa-Ana, California and moved to Sardis in 1978. Dean is now dairy farming at Sardis and Louella is working at Fraser Valley Frosted Foods. They have a daughter.
Melissa Millham
Melissa Dawn, daughter of Dean and Louella Millham, was born June 4, 1987.
CRAIG MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Alaistair Craig, the second son of Fred and Hazel Millham, was born March 4, 1961 in Yorkton, Sask. He had moved with his family to the Miller home at Tantallon prior to the death of his father on Craig’s second birthday. He spent the next eleven years growing up in the Tantallon area before moving to a dairy farm at Chilliwack, B.C. in 1973.
After completing high school, Craig attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology and graduated with a diploma in Electronics. During the summers, while attending post secondary school, he worked on the oil rigs in Alberta and learned many valuable lessons which could be used later in life. He was hired by the Department of Communications as a Radio Inspector. (No, that does not mean he gets to watch TV a lot!) However, he does enjoy the contact with the public, both through the licensing of communication systems and the resolving of radio interference complaints.
On July 28, 1984 Craig married Susan Marie Tessier whom he had met two years previously shortly after he began working with the D.O.C. Sue was born March 29, 1961 at Mont Apica, Quebec, the daughter of Joseph Laureat Gerard (who was born in Quebec City) and Carole Irene Stone (born in Brandon, Manitoba), who now reside in Courtenay, B.C. Craig and Sue purchased a house and moved to Surrey, B.C. Sue worked with a dietitian [sic?], but is now a full-time Mom to their two daughters. The family enjoys skiing, golf, tennis, baseball and bike riding. Andria Millham
Andria Lynn Simone, daughter of Craig and Sue Millham, was born January 25, 1986.
Alicia Millham
Alicia Lee Ashley, the second daughter of Craig and Sue Millham, was born June 13, 1988.
BRENT MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Brent, the third son of Fred and Hazel Millham, was born June 8, 1962 in Yorkton, Sask. On that day, IMC reached the potash level while sinking their shaft at K1, and all babies born in the province received one share in the company.
Brent graduated from BCIT as a Civil and Structural Engineer. He lives with his mother in Sardis and has a partnership in a small construction firm that builds houses in the Chilliwack- Abbotsford area of B.C.
MYRTLE (MILLHAM) WILLIAMS (by daughters Audrey and Joan)
Myrtle Elsie Millham, the only daughter of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born August 21, 1907 at Hazelcliffe. She attended Regina and Manitoba schools for the deaf and following graduation, remained on the family farm until her marriage.
On June 21, 1929 Myrtle married Rupert Jabez Duncan Williams at her parents’ home. Rupert, deaf from the age of 5 as a result of spinal meningitis, graduated from the Manitoba School for the Deaf and from 1922 to 1926, was Sr. Boys Superintendent there. It was at the school that Myrtle met him.
Rupert’s career as a monotypist took him to Saskatoon to work at Modern Press, and initiate a one-man campaign to better the educational opportunities of deaf children in Saskatchewan. Through his efforts, the Saskatchewan School for the Deaf was opened in Saskatoon in September 1931, with Rupert as the first Dean of Residence, a position he held until his retirement in 1963. During those years, he was like a father to the children and initiated athletic activities, coached, counseled, taught, and in general, dedicated his life to their welfare. Rupert passed away in March 1973 at the age of 79.
His commitment to the deaf in the areas of education, employment, rights and freedoms, was recognized in 1982 when the school was renamed the R.J.D. Williams Provincial School for the Deaf. The government of Saskatchewan has since chosen to close the school and the final graduation ceremonies were held on June 21, 1991.
Myrtle was an active volunteer worker with the Girl Guides as well as being a long-time member of the Saskatchewan Deaf Association and the Western Canadian Association of the Deaf. She was an ardent curler, having belonged to the Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club for 25 years. She is still an enthusiastic fan of sports, plays bridge and whist, and continues to travel, especially to visit her two daughters; she has been on cruises with each of them. In 1981, Myrtle moved out of her long-time residence on Cumberland Ave., across the street from the School for the Deaf, and is continuing her senior years in an apartment in Luther Towers.
AUDREY (WILLIAMS) TAYLOR (submitted 1991)
Audrey Myrtle, the elder daughter of Myrtle and Rupert Williams, was born August 10, 1930.
On December 17, 1948 Audrey married Wilfred Taylor, son of Winnifred and Willis Taylor of Saskatoon. Audrey and Wilf, besides raising a family of four children, have led a very active life. Wilf retired in 1985 after a long career as sales manager on a national level for Genstar Gypsum Corp. Not prepared to be idle at this early stage, he returned to university studies and graduated in 1986 as a Security Commission and Investment Planner and was employed with Investors Syndicate of Canada.
Following the years of being a mother, Audrey pursued experience and through Continuing Education, acquired a diploma as Personal Service Worker in Human Services. Her graduate studies took her into the profession as sign language interpreter for the deaf and eventually Audrey became a well-known counselor in the field of working with cancer patients and their families in Saskatchewan. The Department of Education coaxed her to return to the field of education for the hearing impaired. From 1981 – 88, Audrey served as a dedicated worker and counselor for the deaf and was employed with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (SIAST) where a large number of hearing impaired adults were training. Audrey retired in 1988 from this program which she had initiated. Audrie & Wilf Taylor Audrey and Wilf bought a house in Victoria, B.C. in 1985 and in 1988, sold it to their daughter Debbie. They now reside in a home overlooking the ocean. Through the years, Audrey’s interests have been music and handicrafts; she is also involved in health fitness and freelance interpreting. Audrey and Wilf are serious boaters and have taken courses for their safety.
Lanny Taylor
Lanny Robert, the eldest child of Audrey and Wilf Taylor, was born August 3, 1949 and completed high school in Saskatoon where he excelled in playing the saxophone. His interests are in computer sciences and art (oil painting), as well as sports, including bowling and curling.
On March 7, 1970 Lanny married Wendy Goldsmith of Victoria and they have two children. They reside in Surrey, B.C. where Lanny has lived since leaving Saskatoon in 1967. He was employed at that time by IBM (International Business Machines) and still works for them after 24 years. His experiences have been in the areas of programmer and consultant, and in 1991, Lanny is Junior Associate Director of IBM in B.C. and Western Canada Marketing Systems Specialist.
Kevin Robert, son of Lanny and Wendy Taylor, was born June 11, 1973. He achieved many science project awards and graduated from grade 12 in 1991. His future career is undecided.
Laura Elizabeth, daughter of Lanny and Wendy Taylor, was born January 12, 1978 and is a talented ballet dancer. Her awards and accomplishments have also been in the areas of drama and scientific school projects.
Dawn (Taylor) Clezy
Dawn Leslie, the second child of Audrey and Wilf Taylor, was born March 12, 1951. Following high school, she was employed as a hairdresser. She was interested in all handicrafts and cosmetic sales in make-up, and enjoyed sports and family gatherings.
On May 29, 1971 Dawn married Rod Clezy, son of Isabelle and John Clezy of Saskatoon and they had two children. Dawn was killed in a car accident on March 30, 1982 at the age of 31 years. Rod, a journeyman glazier and glass manufacturer in Saskatoon, is doing a wonderful job of raising the children but finds that being a single father isn’t easy. Dawn was a beautiful and loving person; her Grandma Williams is still having a hard time accepting her loss.
Jeffrey John, son of Dawn and Rod Clezy, was born November 14, 1972. He is an ardent hockey player who graduated from grade 12 in 1990. His future career is undecided.
Liisa Dee, daughter of Dawn and Rod Clezy, was born January 14, 1975. Her varied interests include fashions, and anything to do with keeping the environment clean and green.
Debbie (Taylor) Tilden
Debbie Joan, the second daughter of Audrey and Wilf Taylor, was born May 9, 1953 in Saskatoon. Following high school, she became a medical receptionist. Her interests include dancing, aerobics, hockey and softball, and she is very involved with her children.
On October 14, 1978 Debbie married Bill Tilden, son of Bessie and William Tilden of Windsor, Ontario, and they had two sons. Debbie moved from Saskatoon to Victoria on a medical transfer to work in the hospital as a ward clerk and eventually into the emergency and maternity wards. After several years, she felt the need to change her career and in 1987, became employed at the Victoria Police Department as a dispatcher. Bill is a manager of the Strathcona Hotel Night Clubs but his interest is in his autobody business in which he has been involved for many years. Debbie and Bill ended their marriage in 1990; both are involved in new and happy relationships.
Ryan William, son of Debbie and Bill Tilden, was born May 7, 1979 and is involved with baseball and hockey where he has received several trophies and personal recognition as a player. He has made the school Honor Roll several times.
Brennan, the second son of Debbie and Bill Tilden, was born January 28, 1983 and is a normal active boy! He loves art and is a great swimmer.
Blair Taylor
Blair Marlon, the second son and youngest child of Audrey and Wilf Taylor, was born in Saskatoon on September 14, 1956. After graduating from grade 12, he has obtained two career qualifications. Blair received his Hotel and Food Administration diploma and worked for 6 years in the King George Hotel in Saskatoon. He then worked for the Royal Bank, but sacrificed that position when he was asked to go to Vancouver and work at Expo 86, managing three night clubs. At present, he lives in Saskatoon and works for Canada Post.
Blair is our “swinging bachelor” son. He is a serious bowler and active in the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club. He is known for his love and kindness, and dedication to helping others in need. Blair is very close in his relationship with his family and especially his Grandma Williams who has said she wants to see his wedding before she passes away. Blair said, “That is what you call pressure!”
JOAN (WILLIAMS) FONGER (submitted 1991)
Joan Roberta, the second daughter of Myrtle and Rupert Williams, was born January 25, 1935 in Saskatoon. She obtained a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Saskatchewan, majoring in Deaf Education.
On October 6, 1956 Joan married Vernon Graham, a farmer in the Aberdeen district near Saskatoon. They had five children prior to a divorce in 1978. Joan taught at the R.J.D. Williams School for the Deaf and lived in Saskatoon, 1972 – 80.
On August 21, 1980 Joan married Jack Fonger of Winnipeg. He is now retired from his position with Affiliated Inspection Bureau. Joan is presently substitute and term teaching at the Manitoba School for the Deaf. Her involvements include: member of Pembina Curling Club; past president of Crescent Park ladies golf club; and member of Windsor Park ladies golf club. Joan and Jack reside in Winnipeg and go south in January in search of warm weather, golf courses and sandy beaches.
Shelley (Graham) Boyenko
Shelley Lynn, the eldest daughter of Joan and Vern Graham, was born June 1, 1958 and competed grade 12 at Aberdeen Composite High School.
On June 4, 1976 Shelley married Dennis Boyenko and they have three children. They reside at St. Denis, Saskatchewan where they operate a farm.
Natasha Lee, daughter of Shelley and Dennis Boyenko, was born December 19, 1977. She attends Aberdeen Composite High and is active in a bell-ringing group, baby-sitting, and Girl Guides.
Travis Robert Shawn, son of Shelley and Dennis Boyenko, was born January 19, 1979. He is goalie for the Aberdeen PeeWee Hockey team and helps his father on the farm.
Troy Graham, the youngest child of Shelley and Dennis Boyenko, was born July 9, 1987.
Shawn Graham
Shawn Broderick, the only son of Joan and Vern Graham, was born July 30, 1959. His interests include hockey, curling and golf.
On October 23, 1981 Shawn married Charlene Moysuik. They have since divorced. Shawn remains single and lives at Aberdeen where he farms and operates a backhoe for Maxi’s Excavating of Saskatoon.
Jacqueline (Graham) Lutze
Jacqueline Rae, the third child of Joan and Vern Graham, was born May 5, 1961 and graduated from Walter Murray High School where she was involved with volleyball.
On September 5, 1981 Jacqueline married Jack Lutze and they have two children. They live in Saskatoon where Jack is a carpenter and Jacqueline is a pharmacy assistant at City Hospital. Her activities include curling and cake decorating.
Bryce Louis, son of Jacqueline and Jack Lutze, was born August 6, 1983 and is involved in soccer, swimming and skating.
Ramie Janelle, daughter of Jacqueline and Jack Lutze, was born March 3, 1986. Her activities include gymnastics, skating and swimming.
Judith (Graham) Krieger
Judith Diane, the third daughter of Joan and Vern Graham, was born September 7, 1963 and completed her education at Walter Murray High School in Saskatoon.
On August 27, 1988 Judith married Kevin Roland Krieger. They live in Saskatoon where Kevin works at Intercontinental Pork Packers and Judith is assistant manager at Elephant & Castle Restaurant.
Janet Graham
Janet Elaine, the youngest daughter of Joan and Vern Graham, was born November 7, 1964 and graduated from Fort Richmond High School in Winnipeg. Her activities include curling, skiing, volleyball and softball. Janet presently resides in Camrose, Alberta and is a clerk in Sid’s Sporting Goods Store.
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CLIFFORD MILLHAM
Clifford Charles Millham, the second son of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born March 22, 1909. He attended Hazelcliffe School to the completion of grade 8, and Wapella High School while boarding with Aunt Alice Gordon. He played hockey in Wapella.
From 1927 – 31, Clifford attended the University of Saskatchewan studying Pharmacy, and apprenticed in Wapella. He returned home for a year or two and helped his father and brothers with farming, while investigating locations to set up a business.
In 1934, Clifford bought a drugstore in Bredenbury, in which his brother Fred built the shelves. The following year, the drugstore was sold to Orval Gamble and Clifford entered the sanitarium at Fort San with tuberculosis. He passed away there on July 25, 1936.
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ARCHIE MILLHAM
Archie Howard Millham, the third son of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born December 2, 1912. He developed diabetes at an early age, but there was no help for him as insulin had not yet been discovered. Archie passed away August 19, 1917.
RALPH MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Ralph Lawrence Millham, the fourth son of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born September 17, 1914 on the SE corner of 22-18-33 W1, otherwise known as the Schuelke Place. Shortly afterward, the family moved to the NW ¼ of the same section where Ralph grew up. Ralph attended Hazelcliffe School where he completed grade 9, then began life as a full-time farmer, working with his father and older brother Fred, until his marriage.
While growing up, Ralph took part in all activities of the community including skating, hockey, curling, and softball where he excelled as a catcher. He was a faithful member with regular attendance at Hazelcliffe United Church. (He later drove his wife through all sorts of weather and in all sorts of vehicles to play the organ at the services for 15 years.) In his youth, he belonged to an active Boys’ Group. He served on the session, and in the same capacity later in Esterhazy United Church.
On September 17, 1938 Ralph married Margaret Isobel Markland, daughter of George and Maude (Douglas) Markland of Tantallon. Margaret was a rural school teacher for eight years, three of which were spent at Hazelcliffe School No. 285. Ralph and Margaret farmed and raised their three children on NW21-18-33 W1, where part of the land extended over the Qu’Appelle hills to the valley road. Because of their proximity to the school, they boarded all the lady teachers from 1940 – 50.
Ralph loves horses; he purchased a reliable pony named Janey at Dr. Christie’s sale. Janey won prizes at the fairs for a good many years, being ridden in competition by Ralph and the girls, and driven by both Ralph and Margaret. Janey’s granddaughters, Vickie and Gracie (identical palominos), also performed at fairs in saddle and driven as a team with considerable success.
In 1973, Ralph was awarded a pin in recognition of 25 years as a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool committee member. While still at his parental home, he was a member of Tantallon Agricultural Society and later became, and still is in 1991, a director of that organization.
Since retiring and moving into Esterhazy in the spring of 1981, Ralph has done volunteer work in connection with church and museum, is a member of the seniors’ Golden Jets, and the Qu’Appelle Valley Threshermen’s Association which sponsors a yearly show. For several years, he was frequently called to help out at North American Lumber, an experience he really enjoyed and, having farmed by himself for 42 years, he finally found out what kinds of people there are in this world. Margaret plays the organ for church services and choir practice at the care home as well as being involved with the Golden Jets.
Ralph and Margaret have done considerable traveling, the most exciting and educational trip having been taken early in 1988 when they spent seven weeks in Singapore with daughter Marion and Barry Kingdon (who was serving with the Canadian High Commission) and their son Jason. They took a train trip into Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur, and visited many places of interest. On their return trip, they spent five days in Tokyo, Japan and surrounding area, guests of a Japanese lady with whom Margaret had corresponded for nearly forty years but had never met. Later the same year, the family honored Ralph and Margaret with a Golden Anniversary celebration.
ELSIE MAUDE (MILLHAM) WHELPTON (submitted 1991)
Elsie Maude, the eldest child of Ralph and Margaret Millham, was born on the home farm A ugust 27, 1941 and was named after her two grandmothers. She attended Hazelcliffe School to grade 10, then moved to Regina to complete her high school education at Central Collegiate. Elsie Maude worked as a bank teller at the Toronto-Dominion Bank from July 1959 until April 1963. Later, from October 1975 to December 1978, she worked at the Sherwood Credit Union and since May 1979, has been a cashier at Sask Power.
On August 18, 1962 Elsie Maude married Ernest George Whelpton, a structural steel detailer. Ernie is the son of George and Erma Whelpton, farmers, of Moosomin. They subsequently had four children.
Ernie has his own company, Steelcraft Drafting Services, and has his office located at home in Regina. Ernie and Elsie have an acreage at McLean where, with son Phil, they manage an apiary and a large garden.
Elsie Maude, Ernie and their daughter Susan are members of Argyle Road Baptist Church. Elsie is now involved with the Baptist Women, after years of teaching Sunday School.
Through the years of bringing up the children, sports were a family involvement, including swimming lessons, hockey, ringette, soccer, and basketball. The children attended many summer camps and the whole family went camping each summer.
In February 1989, Elsie Maude and Ernest visited Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore where they visited sister Marion. In November 1990, they took a relaxing cruise on the Caribbean.
Philip Whelpton
Philip Ernest, the eldest son of Elsie Maude and Ernest Whelpton, was born August 4, 1963 in Regina. He went to Gladys McDonald public school and Thom Collegiate.
On June 29, 1985 Phil married Natalie Elizabeth Weilgoz, only child of Melvin and Elizabeth Weilgoz of Regina, and they have a daughter. Phil is a mechanic and landlord, and Natalie is a legal secretary.
Jordan Natasha, daughter of Phil and Natalie Whelpton, was born January 15, 1990.
Scott Whelpton
Scott Douglas, the second son of Elsie Maude and Ernest Whelpton, was born in Regina on May 18, 1965. He attended the same schools as his brother, then went to Wascana Institute for training in small motor repair while working part time at Sears.
Scott worked with his dad for several years as a draftsman, and now resides in Calgary where he is employed as a structural steel draftsman.
Susan Whelpton
Susan Margaret, the only daughter of Elsie Maude and Ernest Whelpton, was born July 3, 1968 in Regina. She was involved in school, young people’s groups, and basketball – her activities took her to Winnipeg, British Columbia, and England.
In 1988 Susan graduated from SIAST, Wascana campus, as a registered psychiatric nurse. She works at Pioneer Village and has a son.
Taylor Douglas, son of Susan Whelpton, was born October 29, 1990.
Justin Whelpton
Justin George, the youngest son of Elsie Maude and Ernie Whelpton, was born in Regina on February 17, 1972. He is currently in grade 12 and working at Safeway. Justin can be found playing hockey or soccer, or fixing cars. MARION (MILLHAM) KINGDON (submitted 1991)
Marion Eleanor, the second daughter of Ralph and Margaret Millham, was born with cold feet on November 5, 1944. As I grew up learning to do what most farm kids did, I turned into quite a tomboy and soon became known as “Jody” or Jo if I was naughty. I enjoyed climbing trees, chasing cows, and riding horses much more than helping in the house. I remember our first task after school finished in June was building hay stacks and later sheaf stacks – I became quite good at it according to my Uncle Fred. The month of July was dedicated to preparing for the Tantallon Agricultural Fair. We learned many forms of hand sewing, machine sewing, and baking. These two activities carried on every summer until I left home.
I attended Hazelcliffe School for nine years, taking grade 9 by correspondence. The last three years of high school were at Esterhazy where I graduated in 1962 – we were driven there, twelve miles every day, with very few absent days due to weather. I attended Central Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Saskatoon in 1963 and graduated as a certified nursing assistant. Part of this training was in Tisdale, Saskatchewan.
My maternal grandmother, Mrs. Markland, all my life called me a rambling rose; I think she meant this because I was so tall and skinny, but it took on a new meaning as I began to “ramble”. In less than two years, I had moved from Saskatchewan to Ontario and B.C.
On December 11, 1965 I married RCMP Constable Barry W. Kingdon, son of Ray and Myrtle Kingdon of Tantallon. Our first little home was in Revelstoke, B.C., where Barry worked night and day, six and a half days a week, and I worked part time at the local hospital. It was very beautiful country and we loved the mountains – it was there that our quiet life changed forever when our daughter Jennifer arrived.
In the fall of 1967, we were transferred to Ottawa, Ontario and had our first experience living in a high rise apartment, which we didn’t like very much. We soon made new friends, and of course visited all the historical sites we had studied about so many years ago. Again I worked part time and we moved into a duplex house. Jennifer had lots of friends and a park to play in; that summer she continually lost her shoes in the park as she removed them to play in the sand. Her brother Jason was born there in 1969. That winter was long and cold, and there were tons of snow.
In the summer of 1970, we were transferred to Toronto where we rented a town house in Willowdale, then bought our first house in Brampton, a small city west of Toronto. It was very exciting; there were a lot of young families living there. Soon it became time to ramble again – we sold that house and bought our second house in 1976 in another area of Brampton. In May of that year, Barry and I flew to England for three weeks where we visited his relations, and visited the area of Cockington where the first record of the Kingdon family was registered. The most beautiful sight I have ever seen was at a little pond surrounded by many shades of rhododendron trees on a hill; the petals were falling and the mother ducks with their babies were walking on the pink ground.
While we were in Brampton, we bred and showed Siamese cats. Our female, Tiki, was the third best blue point Siamese cat in North America in 1976. We owned several others at the same time, but they became a lot of work so we gradually ended up with only one, which we still have. Kermit is now 13 years old in 1991.
I worked part time at Peel Memorial Hospital for the seven years we lived in Brampton. Barry received many promotions and attended Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, graduating in 1979 with a B.A. That summer we were transferred back to Ottawa, which Jennifer and Jason both consider to be their home city. We bought our third house, in Kanata west of Ottawa. We all learned to downhill ski, and Barry and I joined the Canadian Ski Patrol. I worked at Queensway Carleton Hospital full and part time the seven years we were in Kanata. I worked with the geriatric rehabilitation patients, which was the most challenging of all the areas I have worked.
The summer of 1986 brought about our farthest transfer yet. Barry, Jason and I, and of course our cat Kermit, moved to Singapore on a three-year posting. Barry worked with the Department of External Affairs at the Canadian High Commission. That was quite a different and interesting life. We have been fortunate to have traveled around the world several times, stopping in many countries, and we have met many interesting people from all over the world. For me it was a “life of leisure”, or so my husband thought. I had a maid who cleaned the apartment and did the ironing. I learned how to play tennis which takes a lot of energy, and I spent several hours sunning by our club pool with my friends, the average temperature there was 32 degrees, so you see that took a lot of energy! I did a few useful things – I was on the women’s committee of the Canadian Association and we organized many lunches, coffee parties, tours, and social events for special occasions – to keep us from getting homesick. The only thing we could not supply was snow! I was also on a visiting committee for all expatriate patients who were hospitalized. And of course, the shopping there was never-ending. We returned to Canada in the summer of 1989 when Barry retired from the federal government.
We are presently living in Kelowna, British Columbia. I am a sales associate with Realty World Carruthers & Miekle Real Estate in Kelowna and Barry is completing the Real Estate licensing course. The Kingdons hope to become a real estate sales team in September 1991.
[As of November 1, 1991 Marion and Barry have moved to Calgary where Marion continues with Realty World.]
Jennifer Kingdon
Jennifer Marion, daughter of Marion and Barry Kingdon, was born August 4, 1966 in Revelstoke, B.C. She started school at Harold F. Laughdin Public School in Brampton, Ontario, and graduated grade 13 from Elmwood Girls School in Kanata. During her earlier years of school, she was fortunate to travel to P.E.I., Quebec City, and on a band trip to Vancouver. She then attended Carleton University and graduated with her B.A. in Sociology in 1988. Jennifer visited her parents in Singapore twice, but unfortunately she was unable to live with them as she was not allowed to attend university there.
Jennifer lives in Coquitlam, B.C., and works for Peter Cundill Investments as a Mutual Fund Administrator. She is always busy studying and is presently completing the final stages of her bachelor degree program. She has plans for a summer wedding in 1992.
Jason Kingdon
Jason Douglas Miles, son of Marion and Barry Kingdon, was born in Ottawa Civic Hospital on August 12, 1969 and also started school at Harold F. Laughdin Public School in Brampton. While living with his family at Kanata, Jason learned to ski and took racing lessons for three years. He attended A.Y. Jackson High School for the last two years in Kanata prior to moving with his parents to Singapore. He was very active in the Scout program, skiing, playing his bass guitar, and a part-time job.
Jason presently lives in Deep Cove, a suburb of North Vancouver, and is employed as a host at the Hyatt International Hotel in Vancouver. In September 1991, he will embark on a course of study at Vancouver Community College and hopes to become a steel fabricator. He has plans to travel overseas again to renew acquaintances with several of his overseas friends.
DOUG MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Douglas Ralph, the only son of Ralph and Margaret Millham, was born in Esterhazy Hospital on May 5, 1951. He attended Hazelcliffe School for two years until the school was closed, and then was bussed to Esterhazy where he completed grade 10. Doug had a great desire to “drive trucks” which he did, and in 1991 still does, as his main source of income.
On October 16, 1971 Doug married Brenda Ellen Brace, only daughter of Wm. and Josephine Brace of Kennedy. Doug and Brenda have three children.
Doug worked for Saskatchewan Pool Elevators at Whitewood and Rocanville, and tried underground potash mining, but came back to driving trucks for Kleysens out of Esterhazy, and bought a house in Hazelcliffe. At the Hazelcliffe Homecoming 1980, Doug was proclaimed mayor and presented with a special ribbon and a gold key to the hamlet. At a later date, he emceed a program and dedication in honor of the pioneers of the Hazelcliffe area. When his parents retired to Esterhazy, Doug took over the farm. After four years, he sold the cultivated acres but continues to live on the farmstead, which is still referred to as “home” by all family members.
Driving for Kleysens means making six trips a week hauling potash from the mines east of Esterhazy to the USA border. The trucks, two-tandem, are the biggest gross vehicle weight, 200,000 pounds, of any truck hauling on a regular basis on the North American continent. Each truck has 38 wheels and crosses four valleys, summer and winter.
Doug inherited a love for horses from both sides of the family (not his mother), so was a member of the 4-H Horse project, later joined the Twin Valley Riding Club, and became involved in rodeos with the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association. He has competed, announced, and ‘picked up’, and in 1989 and 1990 was arena director for a three-day show rodeo in connection with Brandon Fall Fair. In July 1982, Doug was honored when he and a rodeo friend were chosen as pick-up men in a mini-rodeo arranged to entertain Princess Anne during her visit to Brandon. The boys also served as outriders when Princess Anne was brought into the grounds in a wagon drawn by a six-horse team. In 1990, Doug gave up the rodeo circuit and, although he has kept two horses, he has now invested in cows. In the summer of 1990, the family of five went on a holiday and visited relatives in Montana, British Columbia and Alberta.
Kathaleen Millham
Kathaleen Ann, the elder daughter of Doug and Brenda Millham, was born February 8, 1972. She attended Esterhazy’s Gillen School and Central High from which she graduated in 1990 with her grade 12 and a scholarship from the Centennial Special Care Home. In the fall of 1990, she began a two-year course, training as a psychiatric nurse at Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), Wascana campus, in Regina. Kathy excelled in athletics through the years.
Mark Millham
Mark Douglas, the only son of Doug and Brenda Millham, was born April 1, 1977 in Esterhazy. He attended Gillen elementary school and is now in grade 8 at Central High. Mark takes part in field meets and plays floor hockey.
Becky Millham
Rebecca Jo, the youngest child of Doug and Brenda Millham, was born March 4, 1982 in Esterhazy and is now in grade 3 at East Elementary School. Becky, too, is very athletic.
HAROLD MILLHAM (by daughter Jean)
Harold Roy Millham, the sixth child of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born April 8, 1916 when the family lived in the barn before their new house was built on NW22-18-33. There is an expression, “Close the door. Were you born in the barn?” Dad always answered “yes” to that question. He completed grade 10 at Hazelcliffe School before taking a one-year mechanics course at Balfour Technical School in Regina. He then settled down to full-time farming with his father and on December 21, 1939, obtained title to the home farm along with SW27.
On July 10, 1940 Dad married Irene Jean Fulton (born April 30, 1919), the youngest daughter of William and the late Margaret (Fyffe) Fulton of Lumsden, Saskatchewan. Mom had taught at Hazelcliffe School for two years prior to their marriage, while boarding at the home of Uncle Fred Millham.
After a series of boils and other symptoms, it was discovered in December 1940 that Dad had diabetes. Two daily injections of insulin controlled the disease fairly well, but occasionally he would go into shock. His mealtimes, diet and rest periods had to be followed rigidly – a very difficult requirement for a farmer whose work load is never constant. His health was Mom’s chief concern for the rest of his life.
Dad and Mom started a purebred Hereford business in the early 1940’s but had the misfortune of losing one of two purchased heifers when a strawstack collapsed on her. The name, “ HI-CLIFFE FARM”, was adopted using their initials along with “Cliffe” from Hazelcliffe. They contined to expand their herd during the 1950’s and 60’s, and found that production of superior animals required strict genetic selection and a lot of hard work. They showed their prize-winning animals at various fairs and Polled Hereford shows, including the Toronto Royal in 1966 and 1967. In 1966, Dad and Mom attended the U.S. National Polled Hereford Show as spectators.
Dad farmed with horses for several years and in 1948, bought a small Farmall tractor. During the early years, prior to full mechanization, there was usually at least one hired man, and sometimes a girl in the house so Mom could help with the farming. The first car was purchased in about 1946, a one-ton truck in 1952, and the first combine in 1951. Dad had the first combine in the district and when the neighbors had to quit threshing at dark, he could continue combining well into the night if the grain didn’t get tough.
Power on the farmyard was supplied by a 32-volt windcharger and battery system prior to the installation of electricity on February 12, 1952. Dad then did the necessary work to provide running water in the house. The trench, eight feet deep, in which to lay the waterlines from the well to the house, was dug by hand and indoor bathroom facilities were installed. No more trips out to the little house out back! Other conveniences such as a refrigerator, deep freezer, dryer and oil furnace soon followed.
In about 1952 Dad and Mom acquired the “Morrison quarter” (SW22) and the “Banting quarter” (SE21) from the Banting family. The NE22 and W ½ 23 were also part of the operation, with NW14 (Crown land) being leased for a number of years for pasture.
Disaster struck on May 12, 1954 when a large machine shed which housed the truck, threshing machine, and many other pieces of equipment, was destroyed by fire. A general ring on the phone alerted the neighbors who hurried to help, but had to stand back and watch because of the danger of the bulk fuel tank (which stood beside the burning building) exploding. The hose burned right off the tank and gasoline burned as it ran out. Uncle Fred stood at the door of the house with a water hose in his hand to spray the roof should sparks alight. Fortunately, no explosion occurred and the wind was favorable, so only the one building and contents burned. A couple of hours later, a two-day rain began.
Dad was an avid sportsman, being involved in football and baseball in his younger days, and later in golfing and his favorite, curling. He partook numerous bonspiels near and far, including shirt-sleeve bonspiels in Nelson, B.C. in the summers of 1956, 1959 and 1963; Nipawin car ‘spiel in 1954; Regina Men’s Open, 1952-early 60’s; Melville, 1953-64; Brandon, 1962; as well as most local bonspiels within a 20-mile radius. While curling in Melville in 1957, he was on a rink that scored a curler’s dream – an 8-ender.
In 1963, Dad joined a farmers’ tour of Europe and was able to observe farming practices throughout England, France and Switzerland. He was a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool member, on the executive of the local curling club, and secretary of Hazelcliffe S.D. #285 for a number of years until the school closed in 1959. Dad and Mom were both members of Tantallon Agricultural Society and directors for a number of years. The annual fair was a chance for them to exhibit their cattle, and Mom excelled in the baking, sewing and knitting classes. They were both faithful members of Hazelcliffe United Church and firm believers in good education – both religious and academic. They taught their three children to strive for excellence in everything they did; “If a thing is worth doing it is worth doing well”.
Dad passed away on July 9, 1967 due to a massive coronary. My brother Jim took over the farm and Mom remained in the farm home until her health began failing. In 1970, to be nearer medical facilities, she moved to Regina and the following year, she was the recipient of a successful kidney transplant.
Her early dream of being a nurse became a reality when Mom entered Wascana Institute and graduated in 1977 as a registered nurse (fifth in her class). She nursed for a while until a series of medica l problems developed and she was forced to stop. During her years of widowhood, Mom traveled extensively, sometimes accompanied by her younger daughter, to such places as Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. She was one of the founding members of the Saskatchewan Kidney Association.
While in University Hospital in Saskatoon for routine analysis, Mom suffered heart failure. At the time of her death on January 26, 1985, she was one of the longest surviving kidney recipients in the province. Dad and Mom were buried in Hazelcliffe cemetery overlooking the picturesque Qu’Appelle Valley that they loved.
JEAN (MILLHAM) KNOUREK
Marilyn Jean, the eldest child of Harold and Irene Millham, was born (with great difficulty) on September 22, 1942 in Esterhazy Hospital. Mom taught me most of grade one at home, then I attended Hazelcliffe School through the completion of grade ten. One memory of my youth that stands out occurred the summer I was ten years old and cousin Sheldon was working for Dad. My weekly allowance was ten cents, which I usually spent on Saturday evening when we went to town. One Saturday, Sheldon was to finish stoking a certain field but by mid-afternoon when time was running out, he offered me 25 cents to gather all out-of-row sheaves and place the last two on each stook. I did, he paid, and we went to town!
I graduated from Esterhazy High School in 1959 and that year, set a provincial record (which stood for several years) in shot put at the track and field meet. Being too young to enter the diploma nursing program, I attended Regina College for a year. After completing two years of the three-year nursing program at Regina General Hospital, I took a secretarial course prior to my marriage.
On July 21, 1962 I married John (Jack) William Knourek, second son of William and Annie (Swejda) Knourek. Jack was born December 11, 1934 on his parents’ farm in the Brookvale district southwest of Esterhazy. He worked in the mill at IMC K1, and we rented a house in town for a year until we built our own home. By the fall of 1967, our dream of acquiring a farm became a reality when we purchased a ½ section in the Kolin district, ten miles southwest of Esterhazy, bordering the Qu’Appelle Valley. During the summer of 1969, we built a house and established a new farmyard and later that fall, we moved with our four children to embark on rural life.
Jack continued to work at the mine until 1971 when he decided to farm full time. By 1975, circumstances required that he go back to work and he obtained full-time employment at Metal Fabricating Services in Esterhazy. He continues to work there and we have also added two more quarters to our farming operations. I do what I can to help with the field work, and manage our Charolais/Hereford cattle herd which involves complete winter care as well as attention at calving time. Jack spends his summers making feed for the herd while I raise, butcher and sell several hundred roasting chickens.
We both enjoy hunting. Besides deer hunting, each fall since the mid-1970’s, we have gone moose hunting north of Hudson Bay, Sask. That week in the forest has been considered our annual holiday! A love of animal life and the outdoors, motivated me to get involved in teaching the Firearm Safety/Hunter Education course, which I have done as part of a team since 1982. For several years, I have been on the executive of the Esterhazy Wildlife Federation and am currently trophy chairman. I was also a 4-H leader for ten years.
Other than hunting, my favorite sporting activity is curling which I started at about the age of ten and continue to pursue when possible, especially bonspiels. I spend my spare time (and some not-so-spare time) knitting, and also read everything I can lay my hands on, especially historical novels and non-fiction. My interest in history lead to being investigator and editor of our Kolin district history book, Treasury of Memories, which was released in 1986, (and this book as well!)
Rodney Knourek
Rodney Blair, the eldest son of Jean and Jack Knourek, was born January 4, 1964 and, as Esterhazy’s New Year’s baby that year, was the recipient of several gifts. He attended kindergarten for a month prior to our moving to the farm, then waited a year to begin grade one. Rodney attended Esterhazy schools until the age of 16 when, although he was an A student, he joined the work force. Throughout his youth, he participated in all school sports, played broomball, and was a 4-H member for several years. He later wrote GED exams to obtain his grade 12, followed by training in autobody mechanics.
Rodney worked as an autobody repairman at Bangor and Balcarres, Sask. And for the past several years has been employed at Regina Motor Products. As a serious sports enthusiast, he faithfully follows major league activities and whenever possible goes golfing, curling or hunting.
Paul Knourek
Paul David, the second son of Jean and Jack Knourek, was born December 18, 1964. Medical problems during his pre-school years were finally diagnosed (by biopsy of the liver) as glycogen-storage disease, a rare condition characterized by improper metabolism of certain enzymes. Prognosis at the time was not good, but he seems to have outgrown the problem.
While attending Esterhazy schools, Paul was active in sports and 4-H. His greatest interest seemed to be anything mechanical and he would often dismantle things just to see what made them tick! After leaving school at the age of sixteen, he was employed in a wide variety of jobs, including farm labor, tire repair and mechanics. He later obtained his grade 12 by writing GED exams. On October 24, 1987 Paul married Kimberly Ann Zimmer, daughter of Ron and Marlene Zimmer of Grayson, Sask. Kim was born June 23, 1968 in Regina, grew up on her parents’ farm southeast of Grayson, and graduated from high school in Esterhazy. Following their marriage, Paul and Kim lived at Pilot Butte, Sask. and both worked in Regina – Paul as a mechanic in garages, and Kim at Sears.
In September 1989, they moved, with their daughter, to Stockholm, Sask. Where Paul has since been employed at George’s Garage as an apprentice automotive mechanic. He has completed two terms (at SIAST in Moose Jaw) of a four-year course toward obtaining his journeyman’s ticket. Paul and Kim expect their second child early in 1992.
Samantha Cory, daughter of Paul and Kim Knourek, was born December 15, 1988. Paul and Kim Knourek with Samantha
Ken Knourek
Kenneth Harold, the third son of Jean and Jack Knourek, was born July 28, 1967 and named after his Grandpa Millham who had passed away three weeks previously. He attended Esterhazy schools but his main interests were anything non-academic. As a member of the Esterhazy 4-H Multiple Club, he completed projects in beef, woodworking and motor tobogganing. Ken enjoys all sports, especially curling, hunting, and biking.
After leaving school at age sixteen, Ken worked at various jobs including highway construction, carpentry, steel building construction and hotel maintenance. He presently resides in Oasis, B.C.
Kathy (Knourek) Shaw
Kathleen Denise, the only daughter of Jean and Jack Knourek, was born September 18, 1969 just three weeks before her family moved from town to the farm. While attending Esterhazy schools, her interests, too, included sports and 4-H. Following the completion of grade 11, Kathy moved to Moose Jaw and was employed at a pizza restaurant.
On June 17, 1989 Kathy married Evan Douglas Shaw, son of George and Vicki Shaw of Esterhazy. Evan was born November 12, 1964 and graduated from Esterhazy High School. They presently live in Castlegar, B.C. where Evan is manager of the High Arrow Inn.
JIM MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
James Fyffe, son of Harold and Irene Millham, was born in Esterhazy Hospital on August 10, 1945. I attended Hazelcliffe School until it closed, then was bussed to Esterhazy. Following graduation in 1963, I remained at home to help with the farming. I began curling at the age of eight (with two hands on the rock, two feet in the hacks and push), played Little League baseball, and was a member of the high school curling and basketball teams. As a senior beef member of the Langenburg 4-H Club, I met my future wife.
On June 30, 1967 I married Barbara Beverley Kitsch (born September 30, 1948), daughter of Emil and Elizabeth Kitsch of Langenburg, Saskatchewan. Our honeymoon, spent on the show circuit with our Hereford cattle, was cut short with Dad’s untimely passing. Suddenly I became responsible for the farming operations.
Bev and I, along with our three children, have maintained the purebred Polled Hereford business started by my parents, and through modern technology such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer, have continued to improve the genetics. Hi-Cliffe Polled Herefords have had champions at such major shows as Ag-Ex in Brandon and Agribition in Regina. Sales have been made to several countries, including U.S.A., Japan, Denmark, Bulgaria and Hungary.
Throughout the years, I have continued curling, coached minor league baseball, and in 1979, began umpiring baseball. In January 1981, I was elected councilor of Division 3 in the R.M. of Spy Hill #152, a position I yet hold and in 1988, I became president of the Moosomin Hereford Breeders’ Association. Throughout the years, Bev has been a hockey Mom, curled, and been involved in church activities as well as full participation in farming operations.
A youthful ambition was realized in 1986 when I obtained my private pilot’s license. Now I have found the fast way of going to cattle shows and sales, as I often fly with my own Piper Cherokee 180 which I acquired in January 1988.
Ashley Millham
Ashley, James, the first child of Jim and Bev Millham, was born March 7, 1969. He attended P.J. Gillen and Central High School in Esterhazy where he graduated in 1987. While in school, Ashley was on the curling, track and football teams, and was senior boys’ Sports Rep. and statistician. He was in the stage band, marching band and choir, and a member of the Reach for the Top team in 1985-86 and 1986-87.
Ashley’s non-academic activities included playing hockey, Level 4 refereeing, baseball, 4-H Beef Club, and membership in Royal Canadian Air Cadets #557 Langenburg from 1983-87. While in cadets, he advanced through basic camp, athletic leadership, junior leadership course, and Recruit and Basic Training course.
In November 1987, Ashley took a Basic Artilleryman Course and became Private Ashley J. Millham in Canadian Forces Primary Reserves (Militia) prior to transferring to the regular Armed Forces in March 1988. Training in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia and Gagetown, New Brunswick preceded Trooper Millham being posted to Reconnaissance Squadron Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Petawawa, Ontario. In 1989, his squadron performed peacekeeping duties in Cyprus for a six-month tour. While in Cyprus, Ashley successfully completed a basic sport parachute training course with a qualifying descent from 2200 feet. In August 1990, he transferred to C.F.B. Gagetown, N.B. and is a licensed Leopard tank operator.
Carmen Millham
Carmen Neil, the second son of Jim and Bev Millham, was born June 23, 1971 and also attended P.J. Gillen and Central High School in Esterhazy where he graduated in 1989. He was a member of the high school curling team for three years, on the track team, band member, and Math contest winner. Carmen also played hockey and baseball on the provincial level, refereed hockey, and was a member of the 4-H Beef Club.
Carmen was a member of the Saskatchewan Junior Hereford Association and later elected president. In 1985, at CNE in Toronto, Carmen was awarded the Robert Watson Memorial Scholarship for demonstrating outstanding ability in grooming and showmanship. He was also Saskatchewan Representative in the Canadian Junior Hereford Association prior to be elected president in 1990.
A near-fatal motorcycle accident while rounding up cattle on June 11, 1984 has left Carmen facially disfigured, but did not affect his scholastic abilities. Upon entry to the University of Saskatchewan School of Agriculture in Saskatoon, he was the recipient of several scholarships including: Petro-Canada 4-H Youth Leadership Award; Saskatchewan Achievement Award for Agriculture; Canada Scholarship for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement in Science and Engineering; and Canadian National Exhibition Agriculture Scholarship awarded annually to one 4-H member in each province. He was on the Dean’s Honor Roll with great distinction in 1990 and 1991. In September 1991, Carmen was accepted into Veterinary Medicine at the U. of S. and received the Keith Gilmore Foundation Scholarship which is awarded throughout North America for academic excellence in the areas of agriculture, agricultural journalism, and research related to the betterment of the Hereford industry. He has embarked on a four-year program leading to his degree and continued devotion to livestock.
Jamie Millham
Jamie Jean, daughter of Jim and Bev Millham, was born March 25, 1977. She attended P.J. Gillen School and is now in grade nine at Central High in Esterhazy where she is Senior E.S.A. grade rep. She is a member of the school choir and curling team, and curls with her parents as a member of the Farmers’ Curling Club.
Jamie is secretary and reporter for her 4-H Beef Club and a member of the Junior Hereford Association. She enjoys working with cattle, and actively participates in their care, both at home and on the show circuit. DARLENE (MILLHAM) SMITH (submitted 1991)
Darlene Myrtle, the youngest child of Harold and Irene Millham, was born February 6, 1956 in St. Anthony’s Hospital in Esterhazy. Enroute home, at the age of one week, Darlene rode with her mother in a car, a train, and a sleigh drawn by a team of horses. She attended elementary school in Esterhazy and had numerous sports interests, was involved in 4-H, church choir, and obtained her grade 7 Conservatory in piano.
In 1971, Darlene moved to Regina to be with her mother and attended high school at Campbell Collegiate. During those years, Darlene traveled with her mother on many excursions to such places as Hawaii, California, the Caribbean and the Maritimes, and spent any spare time planning their next holiday together.
In June 1976, Darlene graduated as a registered nurse from Wascana Institute in Regina and in July started her first job, as a surgical nurse, at the Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw.
On May 14, 1980 Darlene married Robert Alexander Smith, a nursing orderly, following a fiery hospital romance. Bob is the only child of Alex and Kathleen Smith of Moose Jaw, and was born and raised there. Enjoying two medical careers, Darlene and Bob settled down and bought a house. In 1987, Bob was honored for 20 years of service. Due to budget cutbacks in 1991, Bob is now store clerk and printer in charge of all paperwork and supplies in the hospital (and loving it). Darlene is evening supervisor at the Providence Hospital. They do a lot of traveling with their two children and spent many summer holidays camping in the mountains. Recent summers have been enjoyed at Buffalo Pound Lake, just north of Moose Jaw.
Kristy Smith
Kristy Delaine, daughter of Darlene and Robert Smith, was born May 2, 1982 in Moose Jaw. She is now in grade four, and registered in first-year Girl Guides after completing the Brownie program. After trying skating and dancing, Kristy has found her niche in swimming and has completed eight out of ten badges.
Kevin Smith
Kevin Robert, son of Darlene and Robert Smith, was born January 28, 1986, the same day that the U.S. space shuttle exploded, killing all aboard. He is now in kindergarten and registered in a learn-to-skate hockey program.
HOWARD MILLHAM
Howard Lloyd, the seventh child of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born August 11, 1919 on the family farm at Hazelcliffe, and attended Hazelcliffe School where he completed grade 9. During World War II, he enlisted in the army and took his basic training at Regina before transferring to the air force. Following training in eastern Canada and England, he saw active duty as an air gunner with missions over Germany. Due to ill health, he was transferred back to hospital in Halifax.
In August 1943 Howard married Frances Murphy in New Brunswick and their first son was born there. Following a medical discharge from the air force, Howard and Frances moved back to Saskatchewan where Howard was a patient at Fort San for a time and later a repairman there.
In about 1947, they moved to Moose Jaw where Howard was a carpenter. Three of four years later they moved to Taber, Alberta to continue his trade. Six more children were born to them. Howard and Frances were later divorced.
In the early 1970’s, Howard married Isabel and they lived in Surrey and later Pitt Meadows, B.C. where he passed away on May 11, 1980.
DWIGHT MILLHAM
Dwight Montgomery, the first son of Howard and Frances Millham, was born in July 1944. He died due to eczema in 1946.
DWAYNE MILLHAM
Dwayne Cornelle, the second son of Howard and Frances Millham, was born June 17, 1946.
On October 6, 1974 Dwayne married Barbara and they are both teachers in Calgary where they live. Dwayne has also taught in Germany.
NANCY (MILLHAM) BLASKIN
Mary Nan, the eldest daughter of Howard and Frances Millham, was born August 14, 1948.
On July 26 Nancy married Rick Blaskin and they have two sons. Rick is co- owner/operator of Blaskin & Lane Firestone Stores and Nancy is a computer operator. They reside in Calgary.
Troy Blaskin
Troy, son of Nancy and Rick Blaskin, was born May 4 in Calgary.
Carey Blaskin
Carey, the second son of Nancy and Rick Blaskin, was born June 16, in Calgary.
BONNIE MILLHAM
Bonnie Lee, the second daughter of Howard and Frances Millham, was born August 6, 1950. She works for Alberta Government Telephones in Calgary.
PATRICIA (MILLHAM) LAWRENCE
Patricia Winnifred, the fifth child of Howard and Frances Millham, was born December 19, 1951.
On December 4, 1971 Pat married Allen James Lawrence and they have three children. Jim is a teacher and Pat is a computer operator in Calgary where they live.
Craig Lawrence
Craig, son of Pat and Jim Lawrence, was born December 7 in Calgary.
Kirby Lawrence
Kirby, the second son of Pat and Jim Lawrence, was born March 26.
Bobbi Lawrence
Bobbi, daughter of Pat and Jim Lawrence, was born July 24, 1985 in Calgary.
ANGELA (MILLHAM) MATSUMOTO
Angela Diane, the sixth child of Howard and Frances Millham, was born June 6, 1953.
On June 6 Angela married Jerry Matsumoto and they had two children prior to a divorce. Angela lives in Okotoks, Alberta and works for Carling Brewery in public relations and sales.
Corey Matsumoto
Corey, son of Angela and Jerry Matsumoto, was born in Calgary on December 8.
Jerianne Matsumoto
Jerianne, daughter of Angela and Jerry Matsumoto, was born April 20 in Calgary.
KELLIE (MILLHAM) FINLEY
Kellie Murphy, the youngest daughter of Howard and Frances Millham, was born May 15, 1955.
On October 2, Kellie married Kevin Finley and they reside in Calgary.
ROSS MILLHAM (submitted 1991)
Ross Edward Millham, the seventh and youngest son of Albert and Elsie Millham, was born August 19, 1927 and attended Hazelcliffe School. In 1940, he moved with his parents to SW28-18-33 W1. Ross joined the Canadian Army for a period of six months in 1945 and upon his return, lived with and worked for his brother Harold and family. In 1948, he moved to Moose Jaw and was employed by the CPR as a fireman until 1956.
On June 16, 1951 Ross married Marion Wonnacott in Wynyard, Saskatchewan and they subsequently adopted two children. From 1956-59, in Moose Jaw, Ross did carpentry work before moving to Taber, Alberta, where he continued his trade until 1964. The family moved to Kamloops, B.C. in 1965. Ross and Marion were divorced in 1971.
Ross moved to Surrey, B.C. in 1985, where he lives at present, and continues with carpentry work. He has specialized in finishing work in new houses. On July 30, 1991, he moved into a new two-bedroom suite in a house his company built four years ago.
EARL MILLHAM (submi tted 1991)
Earl Ross, adopted son of Ross and Marion Millham, was born March 20, 1955 and received a grade 10 education. He is a registered Class C welder and has training in heavy duty mechanics.
On July 9, 1983 Earl married Jeanette Richards (born December 3, 1956) with whom he had lived since July 1977. Jeannette [sic?] is an upholsterer’s assistant and seamstress. They lived in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Summerland, Kamloops and Whitecroft Village, B.C. before moving to Prince George, B.C. in 1985. They hope to buy land and stay there. They have two children.
Earl’s interest is in stock cars and racing. The family races a Bomber #33, which is number 1 in points standing – Earl is the crew chief.
Jennifer Millham
Jennifer Janean, daughter of Earl and Jeanette Millham, was born July 2, 1979. She is very artistic and loves bike riding and riding motorcycle with her dad. Jonathon Millham
Jonathon Earl Ross, son of Earl and Jeanette Millham, was born October 6, 1984. He loves cars, riding his bike, and riding motorcycle with his dad.
CHERYL (MILLHAM) McKENZIE (submitted 1991)
Cheryl Jean, adopted daughter of Ross and Marion Millham, was born December 31, 1959.
On May 19, 1978 Cheryl married Darryl McKenzie and they had four children prior to a divorce. Cheryl now lives in Kamloops and is raising her children.
Nicholas McKenzie
Nicholas Ross, the eldest son of Cheryl and Darryl McKenzie, was born November 27, 1979.
Kevin McKenzie
Kevin Earl, the second son of Cheryl and Darryl McKenzie, was born July 23, 1981.
Shawna McKenzie
Shawna Joyce, daughter of Cheryl and Darryl McKenzie, was born March 4, 1983.
Thomas McKenzie
Thomas Kyle, the youngest son of Cheryl and Darryl McKenzie, was born September 24, 1984.
ALICE (by son Les)
Alice Millham, the tenth child of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Shellmouth, Manitoba on August 18, 1880 and moved with her family to the Hazelcliffe district in 1890.
On December 14, 1898 Alice married George Gordon, son of William and Jane Gordon. George was born February 6, 1867 in Bruce County, Ontario and moved with his family to a homestead in the Hazelcliffe district in 1880. He served with the NWMP from 1887 – 1892 and 1894 – 1897, and was posted at Prince Albert, Duck Lake, Batoche, and Regina. [Records show that in April 1888, George made inquiries as to whether he could then enter for NE22-18-33 W1, when he “still had four years from June to serve in the Force.” He was informed that he would be unable to fulfill the required duties of a homesteader at that time.]
Alice and George homesteaded NE15-18-33, adjacent to her parents’ farm, and also the NW15. Seven children were born to them there. In March 1912, the family moved to Wapella where George was town constable for four years, and one more son was born. In 1916, George and Alice began a successful dairy farm just outside Wapella which they operated until George’s death on October 15, 1939.
In 1950 Alice married Herman Vis and continued to live in Wapella. Herman passed away a number of years ago. Alice was a very active church member, and was an honorary elder at the time of her passing on August 30, 1973.
ALICE AND GEORGE GORDON (1880 – 1973) (1867 – 1939) married 1897
1. John Everett (December 10, 1899 – December 12, 1899) Buried at Hazelcliffe 2. Violet Eulilee (January 17, 1901 – March 2, 1901) Buried at Hazelcliffe 3. Violet Alice (1902 – 1982) 4. Everett George (1903 – 1980) 5. Myrtle Ann (1906 - ) 6. Eva May (1908 - ) 7. Leslie Gowler (1911 - ) 8. Lloyd Douglas (1920 - )
3. Violet – Everett Thorn
1. Gordon – Gwenn Downey 1. Valerie 3. Gwenn 2. Victoria 4. Dianne
2. Iris – Ivan Lytle 1. Lisa 3. Paula 2. Lesle 4. John
3. Linden – Phyllis Marshall – Wanda Mauch 1. Deborah 3. Bruce 2. Gayle
4. Allan – Marilyn Sturges 1. Sharon 3. Molly 2. James 4. Allison
4. Everett – Ruby McFarlane
1. Alison – Donald Carter 1. Michelle 3. Sheila 2. Paula
2. Everett
3. Dennis – Lynne Lewis 1. Terry 3. Darryl 2. Darrin
5.Myrtle – Harry Thorn
1. Larry – Donna Hecht 1. Roger 3. Jacqueline 2. Mark 4. Sandra
2. Leslie – Sharon Conners 1. Tamera 3. Cristy 2. Scott
3. Dale – Stella Fenters 1. Patricia 2. Dawn
4. Jack – Bonnie Wassen 1. Richard 2. Michael
5. Bruce – Gayle Russell 1. Bruce 2. Barbara
6. Daniel – Pamela Davies 1. Jeffrey 2. Brian
6. Eva – George Vincer
1. Gordon – Audrey Dickens 1. Paul 3. Glenn 2. John
2. Sharon – Jim Kennedy – Terry Lloyd 1. Kim 3. Lee 2. Vonnie 4. Lorna
3. Cheryl
7.Leslie – Elizabeth Dean
1. John – Margaret Boyd 1. Brian 3. Haley 2. Joel
2. Maureen – David Lloyd 1. Tracy 2. Cory
3.Anne – Garry Bonkowski 1. Daniel
8. Lloyd – Vivian Valley
VIOLET (GORDON) THORN (by daughter-in-law Gwenn)
Violet Alice Gordon, the third child of Alice and George Gordon, was born March 26, 1902. She was a happy, active young girl and woman who enjoyed music and reading.
On January 9, 1924 Violet married Everett Thorn, son of Linden and Mary (Dixon) Thorn of Wapella. Everett was a veteran of World War I who had been given land in the Eden Grove district near Wapella as soldier settlement. They farmed there until about 1929 when rust and drought ruined their crops. Violet and Everett, with two children, packed up and moved to the United States (Gary, Indiana) where Everett got a job in the steel mills. There they lived for 17 years, and two more children blessed their union.
Violet was a sickly lady who worked hard to keep her home and family peaceful and happy. She was a good mother; she became a devout Christian, serving the Lord all the days of her life. The Thorn home was a busy place with a growing family, a garden to care for, and over 300 chickens to look over. Everett was hard working and also a devout Christian. The Thorns had many friends and were active in the Nazerene Church.
In 1946, the Thorns felt it necessary to return to Canada and an easier way of life for Everett who was having difficulties with his hips. They had an opportunity to buy a meat market in Wapella, so once again they packed up to return “home.” They had become American citizens and left part of their family behind – only the two youngest sons returned with them.
Violet and Everett prospered for several years in Wapella as storekeepers, living above their butcher shop. They started a Nazarene Church in Wapella and were the most active members all their lives. After the boys graduated from high school, they returned to the States. Violet and Everett made only one trip back – their family was faithful to visit them each year!
Violet and Everett were a prominent part of the Wapella area – well liked and always helpful. Their door was always open to family, friends and strangers. They were very proud of their family and their accomplishments since all had a college degree and were good family men and women. Though never a physically strong person, Violet was usually happy; she and Everett had a very good marriage. We remember them both fondly, having spent many summers with them from 1954 to 1984. They touched many lives with their love and kindness.
Violet passed away July 16, 1984 and Everett, the previous year.
GORDON THORN (by wife Gwenn, 1991)
Gordon Everett, the eldest son of Violet and Everett Thorn, was born January 22, 1925 at Wapella and moved to Indiana with his family in 1929. He was a strong lad and kept busy with chores – being the eldest, he had the most to do. H cared for the chickens, garden, and paper route. Gordon enjoyed school – his high school years were some of his happiest. He was a varsity basketball player, enjoyed music, played trombone in the band, and was a good student.
In 1942, while he was in his first year of college, Uncle Sam called him into the army – World War II – he served 3 ½ years as a paratrooper and made about 13 jumps while serving overseas. He returned from the service in 1946.
On July 14, 1946 Gordon married Gwenn Downey and they had four daughters. At the age of 36, Gordon returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in 1964 at the age of 40 and a Master’s degree in 1966. He then became a city manager in Skokie, Illinois for five years and Chula Vista, California for two years.
Gordon and his family moved many times – 23 to be exact – in 42 years. This marriage is very stable and happy. The Gordon Thorns have lived in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, California, Maryland and Texas. We have now been in Indiana almost three years and are delighted to be close to our family. Gordon is semi-retired and I am, as yet, working full time as a secretary at Purdue University. In a few years, we plan to go on a mission for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints.
Valerie (Thorn) Farrell
Valerie, the eldest daughter of Gordon and Gwenn Thorn, was born January 18, 1951 and attended Muncie Ball State and Purdue Universities.
On April 5, 1986 Valerie married Dennis Farrell and they live in Lafayette, Indiana. They both work for Century 21 Realtors – they make a good team. Valerie earned her Brokers’ License in January, 1991.
Victoria (Thorn) Briggs
Vicki, the second daughter of Gordon and Gwenn Thorn, was born May 20, 1952.
On August 16, 1969 Vicki married Tom Briggs and they had two children before Tom was killed in 1980. Vicki is office manager of a growing used car business in Lafayette, and has managed well on her own these past 11 years.
Jamie Christine, daughter of Vicki and Tom Briggs, was born September 4, 1974.
Jennifer Celeste, the second daughter of Vicki and Tom Briggs, was born September 16, 1980 two weeks before her dad’s untimely death.
Gwenn Thorn
Gwenn, the third daughter of Gordon and Gwenn Thorn, was born September 10, 1954 and brought much sunshine into our home the four years she was on this earth. She was killed by a truck on September 24, 1958 in Galion, Ohio. She is still greatly missed by her loving family.
Dianne (Thorn) Nutt
Dianne Eileen, the youngest daughter of Gordon and Gwenn Thorn, was born January 9, 1959 and has been a wonderful addition to our family shortly after Gwenn’s death. Dianne is musically inclined and has sung professionally. At one time, she had aspirations of becoming famous.
On August 28, 1987 Dianne married Steve Nutt and they live in Lafayette, Indiana. Dianne works for SIA (Subaru). Steve worked at Duncan for more than 17 years and has recently been promoted to a Supervisor.
IRIS (THORN) LYTLE (submitted 1991)
Iris Isabell, the only daughter of Violet and Everett Thorn, was born in Wapella on July 31, 1927 and emigrated with her parents to the United States in 1929. She attended high school in Portage, Indiana and the Methodist School of Nursing in Gary, Indiana where she graduated in 1948 as a registered nurse. Iris moved to St. Louis, Missouri and worked at the Veterans’ Hospital there.
On April 21, 1951 Iris married Ivan Mills Lytle, Jr., the second son of Ivan Mills, Sr. and Leila Geniveve Sims Lytle, in the Highland Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California. Iris had met Ivan when he was a patient at the V.A. Hospital in St. Louis. Born in San Francisco, California on October 3, 1924, Ivan was a disabled veteran of World War II and had received his Bachelor of Science Degree at Tulsa University in Oklahoma. After an honorary discharge from the U.S. Army, Ivan moved to California to complete his education. He earned his Master of Science Degree at the University of California in 1956 and in 1958, he earned a Ph.D. in the field of Biological Sciences. While Ivan attended university, Iris worked, first at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital in Los Angeles and then at the University of California Medical Center.
In 1959 Iris and Ivan, with their three daughters, moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where, until 1970, Ivan taught Physiology at the University of Utah. During that time he was chairman of the physiology department. Iris and Ivan’s son was born in Salt Lake City.
In 1970 the Lytle family moved to Tucson, Arizona and Ivan taught at the University of Arizona where he was head of the General Biology department until his death in 1980. During Ivan’s tenure, he had several papers published and wrote a physiology textbook which is currently used at the university level. Ivan died at age 56 from lung cancer. Iris still resides in Tucson where she is an active and loving mother and grandmother, as well as an avid University of Arizona sports fan.
Lisa (Lytle) Patheal
Lisa Ann, the eldest daughter of Iris and Ivan Lytle, was born on January 22, 1952 in Santa Monica, California.
On August 14, 1972 Lisa married Steven Patheal at the home of her parents in Tucson. Steven is the only child of Wesley and Mirna Patheal, born December 5, 1941 in Decater, Illinois. Lisa and Steve reside in Tucson, Arizona with their youngest son Broc, having recently moved there from Challis, Idaho for health reasons. Until recently, Lisa owned a craft shop in Idaho. In addition to the management of the store, she taught numerous craft classes as well as being active with the 4-H Club in Challis. Steve is a retired miner who has been an enormous help to Lisa at the store. Both are active parents and avid sports fans. Ivan Wesley, son of Lisa and Steve Patheal, was born in Tucson, Arizona on January 2, 1973 and is active in sports. He recently graduated from high school in Prescott, Arizona and has enlistd in the U.S. Navy for 4 years.
Broc Steven, the second son of Lisa and Steve Patheal, was born April 14, 1976 in Tucson and is also active in sports. He is still in school and is a very talented musician.
Lesle (Lytle) Cleary
Lesle Kay, the second daughter of Iris and Ivan Lytle, was born December 7, 1953 in Woodland, California.
On June 10, 1970 Lesle married Richard Scott Lee in Christ Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Richard (born in Salt Lake City on March 13, 1951) is the only child of the late Keith and Luanne Lee. Lesle and Richard had twin sons prior to their divorce in October 1975.
On April 10, 1981 Lesle married Ronald James Cleary in Tucson, Arizona. Ronald (the eldest of four sons of Norman Brooks Cleary and the late Emma Robin Cleary) was born in Ames, Iowa on September 22, 1948. Lesle and Ron had a daughter, and were divorced January 15, 1988.
Lesle recently graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and certification in Special Education. She is employed as a Special Education teacher at the middle school level. She resides in Prescott, Arizona with her daughter.
Jeremy Scott, twin son of Lesle and Richard Lee, was born in Salt Lake City on April 22, 1971. He resides with his brother in Salt Lake City while working full time and attending college part time. He intends to earn a degree in Wildlife Studies.
Jason Keith, twin son of Lesle and Richard Lee, was born April 22, 1971 in Salt Lake City and resides there with his brother. He works part time and attends college part time with the intention of earning a degree in Education.
Brienna Patricia, daughter of Lesle and Ronald Cleary, was born December 19, 1981 in Prescott, Arizona and resides there with her mother. She is active in school as well as Brownies.
Paula (Lytle) Baca
Paula Jean, the third daughter of Iris and Ivan Lytle, was born May 13, 1957 in Woodland, California.
On January 1, 1978 Paula married William Baca in Phoenix, Arizona. Bill, born Novem ber 5, 1951, is the fourth child of William and Lucille Baca. Paula and Bill had a daughter prior to their divorce in 1981. Paula lives in Tucson with her daughter and son, where she works for the United States Postal Service. She follows the family’s interest in sports and is an Arizona Wildcats’ fan.
Sara Jean, daughter of Paula and Bill Baca, was born September 1, 1980 in Prescott, Arizona. She resides in Tucson with her mother and brother, and is active in school and Girl Guides. James Alan Fisher (Cody), son of Paula Baca and Jeffrey Fisher, was born August 21, 1989 in Tucson, Arizona. Much to the delight of his mother and grandmother, Cody is already showing a talent for athletics!
John Lytle
John Thorn, the fourth child and only son of Iris and Ivan Lytle, was born December 27, 1963 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born hearing impaired and has attended school in Tucson, Arizona and Chickasha, Oklahoma – as well as college at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. John recently emigrated to Canada to work with a computer company.
In January 1988, John received a cochlear implant which has restored some of his hearing. He is active in the theater and, in addition to acting in a number of plays while attending college in Rochester, he toured with the Theater for the Deaf during the summer of 1987.
LINDEN THORN (by Gwenn Thorn, 1991)
George Linden, the third child of Violet and Everett Thorn, was born in Gary, Indiana on July 25, 1930 and spent his teenage years in Canada before returning to the States.
On June 8, 1950 Linden married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Marshall, when both were 19 years of age. To this union were born three children. Lindy was in college the early part of their married life studying for the ministry. He graduated and continued his schooling in seminary until he became very ill with hepatitis. He left school (in Kansas at that time) and returned to Indiana where he became a teacher/counselor in the high school in Portage. He taught and counseled about four years, and ran for mayor at one time – didn’t win – but found he liked the political atmosphere.
In about 1964, Lindy decided to further his education and change his profession. He moved his family, which included three children, to Columbus, Ohio and went to Ohio State where he earned his Master’s degree in Sociology. He returned to Indiana and became the director of the Mentally Retarded Association of Indiana. They lived in Indianapolis for a while. Shortly after graduation from Ohio State, Lindy and Phyllis decided to divorce. Lindy moved to South Bend to become a Director (county) in Mental Retardation.
In 1966 Linden married Wanda Mauch and they presently make their home in Florida where Lindy works for the federal government and is a lobbyist. He is a kind and loving father and husband, and has been a credit to the Gordon/Thorn family. He and Wanda have a stable and happy marriage.
Deborah (Thorn) Allen
Deborah Jean, the eldest child of Linden and Phyllis Thorn, was born September 22, 1951.
On June 4, 1978 Debbie married David Allen and they have two daughters. Debbie is a register ed nurse and they live in Michigan. David is an artist and is good with the children and keeping house.
Diana Marie, daughter of Debbie and David Allen, was born January 5, 1982.
Barbara Jean, the second daughter of Debbie and David Allen, was born March 1, 1985.
Gayle Thorn
Gayle Ray, the second daughter of Linden and Phyllis Thorn, was born September 18, 1953. She is single and lives in Lebanon, Indiana about 30 minutes from Debbie. Gayle has recently purchased her first home, and lives about ten minutes from her place of employment where she has worked for over ten years.
Bruce Thorn
Bruce, the only son of Linden and Phyllis Thorn, was born June 11, 1956. He studied in New York where he lived for several years. He now lives in Michigan, having just purchased his first home. Bruce works for a bank, and enjoys theater and acting. ]
ALLAN THORN (submitted April 1991)
Allan Richard, the youngest son of Violet and Everett Thorn, was born November 23, 1932 in Gary, Indiana and received his high school education at Wapella, Saskatchewan. His further education included: Olivet College, A.B.; McCormick Theological Seminary, M. Divinity; and Case Western Reserve University, M.S.W.
On February 10, 1962 Allan married Marilyn Nancy Sturges, daughter of Heyward and Helen Sturges of Westfield, New Jersey. They are presently living in Baltimore, Maryland where Allan is employed as the Director of Social Work at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital. Marilyn is a registered nurse currently working for the Office on Aging in Bel Air, Maryland. They have four children.
Sharon (Thorn) Bittinger
Sharon Renee, the eldest child adopted by Allan and Marilyn Thorn, was born July 18, 1963 and graduated from high school in 1982.
On August 9, 1986 Sharon married Eric Bittinger who also graduated from high school in 1982. At this writing, this marriage has been dissolved. Sharon is a nanny for a family in Maryland and loves her job. She has no children.
James Thorn
James Allan, adopted son of Allan and Marilyn Thorn, was born August 10, 1964 and graduated from high school in 1983. He is living in Essex, Maryland attending college part time and currently working at a private country club.
On October 22, 1988 Jim married Debbie Mack who is a secretary. At present, they have no children.
Molly (Thorn) Reed
Molly Anne, the third child of Allan and Marilyn Thorn, was born July 23, 1965 and graduated from the Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in May 1986.
On June 6, 1986 Molly married Mike Reed who is employed with a large utility company in Baltimore. Molly works at the Union Memorial Hospital where she took her training. They have two children.
Michelle Nicole, daughter of Molly and Mike Reed, was born September 1, 1988.
Joseph Michael, son of Molly and Mike Reed, was born November 10, 1989.
Allison Thorn
Allison Lynne, the youngest child of Allan and Marilyn Thorn, was born February 22, 1970 and graduated from North Harford High School in May 1988. She is completing her junior year in college, in Lancaster, PA. She plans to become a social worker, and will graduate in 1992. EVERETT GORDON (by son Dennis)
Everett George Gordon, the fourth child of Alice and George Gordon, was born September 17, 1903 and received his education at Hazelcliffe and Wapella schools. He remained on the family farm until the late 1930’s, then transferred several times as a grain buyer’s helper for the Northern Grain Company.
Everett enlisted on October 10, 1939 with the South Saskatchewan Army Regiment in Weyburn and arrived in England on December 24, 1940 where he remained until his discharge on July 13, 1944.
On August 18, 1943 Everett married Robina (Ruby) Martin McFarlane of Dundee, Scotland whom he met during his duty overseas. Ruby preceded Everett to Canada in 1944 and lived with his mother until he could join her.
Everett and Ruby, with their daughter, moved to Kegworth, Saskatchewan in 1945 where he became a grain buyer for National Grain Company. Two more children were born there. Everett worked at Kegworth until July 1965 and, with his family, retired back to Wapella.
Everett died November 30, 1980 at 77 years of age. Ruby still resides in her own home at Wapella. She leads a very active life in the community with the local legion, the church, and with the various senior citizens’ activities which are provided each week.
ALISON (GORDON) CARTER
Alison Elizabeth, daughter of Everett and Ruby Gordon, was born in Moosomin Hospital on November 23, 1944 and moved with her parents to Kegworth the following year. She completed her schooling and went to work at the Royal Bank in Windthorst, Saskatchewan.
In August 1965, Alison married Donald Carter. They had three daughters and resided in Windthorst for several years. They are now divorced and Alison is taking nurse’s training in Saskatoon.
Michelle Carter
Michelle Christine, the eldest daughter of Alison and Donald Carter, was born September 3, 1968.
Paula Carter
Paula, the second daughter of Alison and Donald Carter, was born March 17, 1971. Sheila Carter
Sheila, the third daughter of Alison and Donald Carter, was born June 24, 1972 and graduated from grade 12 in 1990.
EVERETT GORDON
Everett Peter, the second child of Everett and Ruby Gordon, was born February 18, 1949 but quietly passed away January 2, 1950 due to heart problems.
DENNIS GORDON
Dennis George, the youngest child of Everett and Ruby Gordon, was born September 22, 1950 at Kipling Hospital and moved with his parents to Wapella where he completed his high school education. He moved to Calgary and worked for a year from 1970-1971. Dennis joined the RCMP in Regina in 1971, completed his training and was transferred to Kamloops, B.C. for six years.
On September 27, 1975 Dennis married Lynne Lewis of McAuley, Manitoba whom he met in Kamloops. Dennis and Lynne, with their three children, have since moved to Swift Current and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and St. Albert, Alberta where Dennis was with K- Division Edmonton Ident. They are now stationed in Brooks, Alberta.
Terry Gordon
Terry, daughter of Dennis and Lynne Gordon, was born January 19, 1970.
Darrin Gordon
Darrin, son of Dennis and Lynne Gordon, was born March 11, 1976.
Darryl Gordon
Darryl, the second son of Dennis and Lynne Gordon, was born March 29, 1979. MYRTLE (GORDON) THORN (submitted 1988)
Myrtle Ann Gordon, the fifth child of Alice and George Gordon, was born June 22, 1906 at Hazelcliffe and moved with my parents, sisters and brothers to Wapella on March 12, 1912. I went to the 11th grade at Wapella School and left there to help my parents on the dairy farm.
On December 9, 1933 I married Lawrence Henry (Harry) Thorn, son of the late Linden and Mary Thorn of Wapella. Harry was a veteran of the First World War, serving three years in France. After the war, he and his brother Everett operated a farm in the Eden Grove district near Wapella. He left the farm six years later to enter Deer Lodge Veterans’ Hospital in Winnipeg for treatment on his feet, which improved the situation very much. He took up the bricklaying trade and worked there for three years before leaving for Gary, Indiana in 1929 where his brother Everett and his wife, my sister Violet and family, were already living. I married Harry at Gary, Indiana and we subsequently had six sons.
Harry, during his working years, was a foundry worker and later went into bricklaying and masonry work. The last ten years of his working life, he was maintenance man for the Portage, Indiana school system. He retired in 1966. We lived in Hillsboro, Georgia for two years and then returned to Wapella to make our home.
Harry passed away January 20, 1976 and I continued to live in Wapella until 1988 when I moved back to Indiana to be near my family.
LARRY THORN
Lawrence Lloyd (Larry), the eldest son of Myrtle and Harry Thorn, was born March 4, 1935 and graduated from Portage High School before attending Arkansas State College for one year. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines for three years, serving two years in Korea. Upon his discharge, Larry was employed by the Gary, Indiana Associates Loan Co. for three years. Later he took the position of business manager for the Sand T Lumber Co. of Portage for seven years. In 1969, he began at the Circle R Electric Company where he is presently employed.
On March 4, 1961 Larry married Donna Jean Hecht, daughter of Walter and Esther Hecht of Lansing, Illinois, and they have three children.
Roger Thorn
Roger Dean, son of Larry and Donna Thorn, was born March 23, 1963. After completing grade 12, he was employed at odd jobs and at present, he builds and installs store signs.
On October 17, 1987 Roger married Jill Hagerty, daughter of Edward and Ruth Hagerty of Porta ge. Jill is a dental assistant.
Mark Thorn
Mark Allan, the second son of Larry and Donna Thorn, was born November 11, 1965 and after completing grade 12, worked at odd jobs on docks. He is presently employed in the business office of the air force near Austin, Texas.
On August 17, 1985 Mark married Karen Peterson, daughter of Max and Nancy Peterson of South Haven, Indiana.
Jacqueline Thorn
Jacqueline Jean, daughter of Larry and Donna Thorn, was born December 27, 1967. After completing grade 12, she took a business course and works as an accountant at the Hyatt Hotel in Chicago.
Sandra Thorn
Sandra Jean, twin sister of Jacqueline, was also born December 27, 1967 but passed away two days later.
LESLIE THORN
George Leslie, the second son of Myrtle and Harry Thorn, was born June 28, 1937 and comple ted high school in Portage, Indiana. In 1955, he obtained employment at the finishing mill at the Gary steel mills, which he has made his lifetime career. Leslie also served three years with the U.S. Marines and upon his discharge, returned to the same position at Gary Steel.
On March 20, 1962 Leslie married Sharon Conners, daughter of George and Gladys Conners of Hessville, Indiana, and they have three children. Leslie and Sharon own and operate the Portage Plastic Parlor, Arts and Crafts.
Tammy (Thorn) Morgan
Tamera Lynn, the eldest child of Leslie and Sharon Thorn, was born July 2, 1964. After comple ting high school, she attended college in Missouri where she majored in Child Psychology.
On August 5, 1988 Tammy married Robert Morgan, a minister with the Assembly of God Church, and they have a daughter.
Melody, daughter of Tammy and Robert Morgan, was born June 13, 1990.
Scott Thorn
Scott Leslie, son of Leslie and Sharon Thorn, was born June 18, 1966. After graduating from h igh school, he worked as a carpenter in Texas. Scott then took a mechanical course in Valparaiso, Indiana.
In February 1986, Scott married Marilyn Eichelburg, daughter of Ray and Ruth Eichelburg of Kouts, Indiana, and they have a son.
Joshua Leslie, son of Scott and Marilyn Thorn, was born June 18, 1987.
Cristy Thorn
Cristy Lee, daughter of Leslie and Sharon Thorn, was born April 15, 1970 and graduated from h igh school in 1988.
DALE THORN
Dale Stewart, the third son of Myrtle and Harry Thorn, was born January 4, 1941 and graduated from Portage High School. His first employment was with the Sand T Lumber Co. of Portage from 1961-1967. He then worked for the Henderlong Lumber Co. of Gary for six years. Later, Dale and a partner went into the fireplace business (construction) at Crown Point for six years. At the present time, he is active in real estate and is superintendent in charge of the Herb Welch Development Company.
In June 1966, Dale married Stella Fenters, daughter of Nicholas and Opal Holick of Portage, Indiana, and they had two daughters prior to a divorce.
Patricia Thorn
Patricia Marie, daughter of Dale and Stella Thorn, was born February 4, 1967. She attende d Nazarene Olivet College in Kankakee, Illinois where she majored in Journalism and Psychology.
Dawn Thorn
Dawn Christine, the second daughter of Dale and Stella Thorn, was born May 19, 1969. She also attended Nazarene Olivet College and studied to become a grade school teacher.
JACK THORN
John Raymond (Jack), the fourth son of Myrtle and Harry Thorn, was born March 10, 1943 and graduated from Portage High School. After leaving school, he was employed by Heat & Gas Co. for several years. Jack then joined the Portage Fire Department and on January 1, 1988, he was elected fire chief for the City of Portage. He has, for fifteen years, been maintenance man and in charge of burials at the McCool, Indiana cemetery.
On November 14, 1964 Jack married Bonnie Wasson, daughter of L.H. and Leona Wasson of Portage, and they had two sons prior to a divorce.
Jack passed away on September 14, 1991.
Richard Thorn
Richard Allan, son of Jack and Bonnie Thorn, was born June 23, 1966. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington, majoring in Political Science, with aspirations of working for the government.
Michael Thorn
Michael Allan, the second son of Jack and Bonnie Thorn, was born April 5, 1971 and graduated in 1989 from grade 12 (Special Education). Michael won several awards and a gold medal for swimming in the Special Olympics for the Handicapped. The government has done aptitude tests to determine his capabilities, to assist him in securing an independent future.
BRUCE THORN
Bruce William, the fifth son of Myrtle and Harry Thorn, was born April 30, 1946 and comple ted grade 12 in Portage High School. His first employment was with the Portage Electric Co. for one year. He then enlisted with the navy at Great Lakes Naval Base, Chicago for four years, and served two years on the USS Ranger at Vietnam. Upon his discharge, Bruce returned to the Portage Electric Co. where he is presently employed. He is active with the American Legion Post of Portage and has twice been elected Commander with the Post, having over 200 members.
In 1967 Bruce married Gayle Russell, daughter of Leo and Joyce Russell of Portage, and they have two children.
Wesley Thorn
Bruce Wesley, son of Bruce and Gayle Thorn, was born March 15, 1969. After graduating from high school, Wesley joined the navy at Great Lakes Training Station at Chicago.
In February 1991, Wesley married Debra and they live in California where he is in the U.S. Navy.
Barbara Thorn
Barbara Joy, daughter of Bruce and Gayle Thorn, was born March 19, 1973 and attends high school in Portage. She is talented in music and plays the violin, flute and xylophone as well as taking guitar lessons. She hopes to make music one of her majors in college.
DANIEL THORN
Daniel Richard, the sixth and youngest son of Myrtle and Harry Thorn, was born Novem ber 23, 1950 and graduated from Portage High School. His first employment was with the Heating and Air Conditioning C. of Gary, Indiana, and later he went into business for himself. In 1973, he joined the Portage Fire Department while still retaining his heating and air conditioning business.
On March 27, 1979 Dan married Pamela Darlene Davies, daughter of William and Lillian Davies of Portage. They live in Chesterton and have two sons.
Jeffrey Thorn
Jeffrey Daniel, son of Dan and Pamela Thorn, was born November 8, 1973 and attends high school in Chesterton. He is interested in sports, especially baseball, and played Little League.
Brian Thorn
Brian Keith, the second son of Dan and Pamela Thorn, was born June 22, 1976 and attends school in Chesterton. He is interested in computers.
EVA (GORDON) VINCER (submitted 1988)
Eva May Gordon, the sixth child of Alice and George Gordon, was born January 6, 1908 at Hazelcliffe. I took my nurse’s training at Moose Jaw General Hospital where I graduated in 1929.
On July 29, 1930 I married George Hardy Vincer, chief engineer at British American Oil Company, whom I had met in Moose Jaw. George was born in Moose Jaw on May 8, 1907 to Mabel and Will Vincer who had come out from England the previous year. We had three children.
George built a boiler house in Moose Jaw, then in Calgary, Alberta. In 1944, he was transferred from Moose Jaw B/A to Clarkson B/A, Ontario. We lived in Oakville, Toronto, Mississauga and Orangeville, Ontario for 35 years before coming back to Regina to retire in 1978.
[George passed away, following a stroke, on June 13, 1991.]
GORDON VINCER
Gordon Hardy, son of Eva and George Vincer, was born March 29, 1931 in Moose Jaw and went to school in Oakville, Ontario to grade 12. He then trained as a pilot at the Island Airport in Toronto and did some commercial flying before going to Quebec as a bush flier. After a couple of years there, he came back to Toronto and gave up flying when he got married.
On June 4, 1962, Gordon married Audrey Dickens, a nurse from England, and they had three sons. Gordon worked at Acme Screw & Gear in Toronto. They were divorced in 1980. [Gordon is now living in Regina where he is a full-time school bus driver.]
Paul Vincer
Paul Geoffrey, son of Gordon and Audrey Vincer, was born March 15, 1961 in Toronto. He works in a factory where they make air conditioner equipment and is a disc jockey in Orangeville, Ontario.
In 1986 Paul married Beth and they have a son.
Kyle Mathew, son of Paul and Beth Vincer, was born November 18, 1987.
John Vincer
John Michael, the second son of Gordon and Audrey Vincer, was born January 24, 1963 in Toronto. He is in the army at Petawawa, Ontario and was sent to Beirut for six months, returning in October 1987.
In 1984, John married Kim in Orangeville and they reside at Petawawa at present.
Glenn Vincer
Glenn, the third son of Gordon and Audrey Vincer, was born in Toronto on February 10, 1965. He came out to Regina in 1980 where he graduated from grade 12 in 1981. He has a permanent position with Sask Power.
SHARON (VINCER) LLOYD
Sharon Mabel, the second child of Eva and George Vincer, was born September 8, 1939 in Moose Jaw.
On January 9, 1956 Sharon married Jim Kennedy in Toronto. They had four daughters and were divorced in 1982.
On August 27, 1982 Sharon married Terry Lloyd; they live in Lampman, Saskatchewan where Terry works at hospital maintenance and Sharon drives a school bus.
Kim (Kennedy) Berrington
Kim Katherine, daughter of Sharon and Jim Kennedy, was born September 9, 1956. She took her nurse’s training in Barrie, Ontario and nursed in Edmonton and Calgary where she met her husband.
On September 1, 1984 Kim married Lance Berrington. They have a son and live in Victoria, B.C.
Myles Thomas, son of Kim and Lance Berrington, was born June 27, 1985 in Calgary.
Vonnie (Kennedy) Maygard
Vonnie Heather, the second daughter of Sharon and Jim Kennedy, was born September 24, 1958 in Toronto. She worked as a secretary in Edmonton, Regina and Calgary.
On May 24, 1986 Vonnie married John Maygard in Lampman, Saskatchewan.
Lee Kennedy
Sharon Lee, the third daughter of Sharon and Jim Kennedy, was born December 6, 1961. She lives in Lampman and is a store clerk in Estevan.
Lorna Kennedy
Lorna, the fourth and youngest daughter of Sharon and Jim Kennedy, was born August 7, 1970 and completed her high school education in Lampman where she lives with her mother and Terry.
CHERYL VINCER
Cheryl Ann, the youngest child of Eva and George Vincer, was born January 22, 1948 at Oakville, Ontario. She contracted polio when she was 2 ½ years old and was hospitalized for 17 months. When she came home with braces on both arms, both legs, and a back brace, we were told she would never walk again. With determination, operations and exercise, she overcame it very well and at present, has only a brace on her right leg.
Cheryl was able to go to college for four years, taking an Executive Secretary course at Oakville Sheridan College. She has a permanent position with Sask Telephones in Regina, and lives at home.
LES GORDON (submitted 1991)
Leslie Gowler Gordon, the seventh child of Alice and George Gordon, was born at Hazelcliffe on October 9, 1911. Our family homesteaded at Hazelcliffe and in 1912, moved to Wapella where I have resided ever since. Dad was employed as town policeman until 1915 when he and Mother decided to move to the farm adjoining the town of Wapella. My wife Betty and I still reside there, having taken over the farm in 1945. I took my schooling in Wapella.
I played baseball and hockey for Wapella for a number of years. Those were the days in the late twenties and on into the thirties when we traveled in winter by truck with a tarp over the box, and by train. In summer, we traveled mostly by car. We spent one winter night at a farmer’s home when our truck froze on the way home from a hockey game; the temperature was twenty below zero with a wind. There was blowing snow but between gusts of wind, someone saw a light. We all started to walk toward that light. After walking about a mile, we came to a farmhouse with a light in the window. That was about 1 A.M. We were all welcomed by the farmer who said, “I was at the hockey game and I felt you guys would never make it home to Wapella with that old truck tonight, so I left a light in the window.” He told us that he traveled the safe way to the game – with a team of horses and cutter. We all slept on the kitchen floor and in the morning were fed a good breakfast. The farmer towed our truck to his farmyard with a four-horse team and helped us get it thawed and started. We arrived home at 2 P.M.
One other night our truck became stuck four miles from where we were to play and we walked to a nearby farm. The farmer took us the four miles by team and sleigh. The game got underway at 10:30 P.M. We arrived back home by train at 4 A.M.
In 1939, I was a member of the 101 Battery (Reserve) Canadian Army and when the unit went active in November of that year, I was discharged by the Department of National Defense, to continue farming. My brothers were in the services, Dad had passed away in October, and there was no one left to operate the farm.
On March 4, 1944 I married Elizabeth May Dean, daughter of Fred and May (Blyth) Dean. Betty had taught at Confederation School, Maryfield, Saskatchewan and also at Cranbrook School, north of Wapella. She continued teaching until the end of the 1945 school term.
A good part of my life has been spent in the dairy business. I first delivered milk in the town with a bicycle and a two-wheeled cart. Later, milk was delivered by milk wagon with a box built on a chassis of a Model T Ford in summer, and by light sleigh and box in winter. When pasteurization of milk became law, milk was delivered by a ½ ton truck in eight-gallon cans to Saskatchewan Co-op Creamery at Moosomin four times a week for thirteen years. Only one trip was missed in that time, due to a blizzard. When the creamery ceased operations, milk was then picked up by a tanker truck and hauled to the new Dairy Producers’ Co-op milk plant in Yorkton. This continued until November 1987 when the milking herd was sold. All three of our children were actively involved in the operation of the dairy farm while at home.
I served for 18 years as councilor for Division 6, R.M. of Martin, and upon my resignation as councilor, I continued as Agriculture Committee member and hold that position to the present time. I am a contact person for Community College, a member of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool committee at Wapella, and at this time, president of Local 630 National Farmers’ Union.
Betty was always involved in the operation of our dairy enterprise. She was active in the Home and School Association, both locally and provincially, and was the provincial president for four years. She was responsible for bringing the Regional Library to Wapella and helped build and furnish our Co-op laundromat and library. At present, she works with the Community Development Society and is director for District 1 National Farmers’ Union. Her 11 years of service to Wapella Figure Skating Club earned Betty a certificate of recognition. She was an active member of the United Church Women’s organization when the new church was built in Wapella.
For the past several years, Betty and I have had more time for ourselves and have been able to do some traveling abroad as well as in Canada and the United States. We are also members of the Valley Social Club at Round Lake.
JOHN GORDON
John Leslie, son of Les and Betty Gordon, was born October 5, 1945. He attended the University of Saskatchewan and received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He is now grain farming at Wapella, is active in the Peace and Justice Movement (Ten Days for World Development), and a leader in the Cubs organization in Wapella.
On June 20, 1969 John married Margaret Temple Boyd of Regina and they have three children. Margaret is a full-time lawyer with the law firm, Osman Gardner & Gordon of Moosomin, and also has a degree in Home Economics. Both she and John are active in the United Church and are members of the National Farmers’ Union. John is a member of the Farm Financial Crisis Committee for Local 630 NFU, and of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.
Brian Gordon
Brian Jeffrey, son of John and Margaret Gordon, was born July 4, 1979. He enjoys skating, hockey and skiing, is a member of the 4-H beef club and participates in United Church activities, including Sunday School.
Joel Gordon
Joel Stephen, the second son of John and Margaret Gordon, was born March 11, 1982. He enjoys sports, including skating, skiing and hockey. Joel is involved in 4-H and United Church activities.
Haley Gordon
Haley Elan, daughter of John and Margaret Gordon, was born September 19, 1984. She plays hockey with the boys, enjoys skiing and figure skating and is also interested in 4-H and church participation.
MAUREEN (GORDON) LLOYD
Maureen Elizabeth, daughter of Les and Betty Gordon, was born May 6, 1949.
On January 20, 1968 Maureen married David Lloyd (born August 12, 1948) of Wapella and they have two children. They live in Regina where Maureen and Dave have pursued both educational and career goals over the past fifteen years. David has a Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling and is employed as a full-time counselor at Cochrane High School. Maureen has a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Work Degree. She has worked for the Department of Social Services since 1976 in the field of residential child care at both Roy Wilson Centre and Dale’s House. She presently holds a supervisory position. Maureen and Dave share many common interests and activities. They enjoy the outdoors and are avid campers, cyclists and skiers. They are both active in community affairs and volunteer their time to a variety of organizations.
Tracy Lloyd
Tracy Maureen, daughter of Maureen and David Lloyd, was born August 20, 1968 and graduated from grade 12 in Regina. She spent six months in India and Quebec on cultural exchange programs. Tracy is enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan where she is in her final year of studies toward a Bachelor of Anthropology Degree. She is currently achieving high academic success and is hoping to continue her education in a Master’s program. Her fiance, who is from Jamaica, is studying Law at the U. of S.
Cory Lloyd
Cory James, adopted son of Maureen and David Lloyd, was born April 7, 1971. He lives in Brandon and is hoping to pursue a career in social work. His goal is to work with teenagers who are experiencing problems in their lives.
ANNE (GORDON) BONKOWSKI
Margret Anne, the second daughter of Les and Betty Gordon, was born September 30, 1958.
On October 7, 1978 Anne married Garry George Bonkowski, the eldest son of Richard and Joyce Bonkowski of Wapella, and they have one son. Anne attended university, but returned to the farm and later became manager of the dairy enterprise from 1983 until November 1987 when the dairy cows were sold. She was owner of the clothing store in Wapella and a member of Town Council for a time. Anne is a full-time school bus driver.
Garry is a shareholder in the Home-All Lumber Company in Moosomin and is employed full time building for the company. Due to economic conditions, Garry is also temporarily self- employed, building houses in Calgary. He is active in the Wildlife Federation; he and Anne are members of the National Farmers’ Union and while in school, both were active in sports.
Anne and Garry sold the home they built in Wapella, across the Trans-Canada Highway from the farm. They are both still actively involved on the farm, taking care of the beef cattle which replaced the dairy herd. They recently purchased the Harold and Freda Kempin farm, one mile south of Wapella, and moved there in the spring of 1991.
Daniel Bonkowski
Daniel Gordon, son of Anne and Garry Bonkowski, was born October 10, 1986. He is involved in hockey and figure skating, and loves to ski and help feed calves. Daniel has also shown an interest in carpentry.
LLOYD GORDON (submitted 1988)
Lloyd Douglas Gordon, the youngest son of Alice and George Gordon, was born at Wapella on October 25, 1920. He attended high school in Wapella and helped on the dairy farm. He took an active part in all school activities and played hockey with the local clubs and pitched baseball for Wapella in the Munroe Senior Baseball League.
Lloyd joined the RCMP at Regina on January 2, 1941 to follow the career of his father who had served with the North West Mounted Police. Training commenced at Regina with further courses throughout his career at Ottawa (Rockclifffe), Vancouver, Regina, and the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics, Washington, D.C. He served in the force in Ontario at Cobourg, Toronto and Ottawa and in Manitoba at Carman, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg. Service included drug investigations and administration at Toronto, Winnipeg and Ottawa; highway patrol at Winnipeg and general detachment duties at Cobourg, Carman and Portage la Prairie. Lloyd played baseball and hockey at Carman and with the Plainsmen Intermediate Hockey Club at Portage la Prairie. His last posting was at Ottawa where he took his discharge from the force with the rank of staff sergeant.
In 1947, Lloyd married Vivian Valley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Valley of Portage la Prairie and formerly of Oak Lake, Manitoba. Vivian enjoyed a career in the teaching profession for 21 years, having been employed at Portage la Prairie, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Wapella.
Lloyd and Vivian moved to Wapella in 1964 where they farmed for three years. Lloyd played in the Ambassadors Orchestra and coached the Wapella Black Hawks Hockey Team which was the Mainline League champions for the 1966-67 season.
In 1968 to 1971, he was employed as camp manager with Wellman-Lord Ltd., Lakeland, Florida during the construction of the potash refinery at Rocanville. They then moved to Winnipeg where Vivian again taught school and Lloyd was employed in security work, the last three years of which were at the Royal Winnipeg Mint. They are retired and presently residing in Kelowna, British Columbia.
FLORENCE
(by son Arthur)
Florence Millham, the eleventh child and sixth daughter of Charles and Sarah Ann Millham, was born October 2, 1882 at Minnedosa, Manitoba. Mother was nine years old when her family moved to Hazelcliffe. She received her first years of schooling in Manitoba, then at Hazelcliffe school.
The accompanying photo shows Mother and her sister Alice all decked out in long dresses, riding side-saddle. One would wonder how they managed to mount the horses. Mother rode horseback to bring cattle home and also to exercise their horses. If there was a bear in the vicinity, the horses would always jump around; therefore, they would take another route home.
Mother told us they used to catch partridges to eat, and one way to catch them would be to prop a washtub up at an angle on a stick with a string tied to it, reaching to the doorstep. Grain was spread under the tub. When partridges came to feed, someone would pull the string and bingo, a good evening meal!
The homesteaders must have had a lot of nerve in those days to bring so large a family to an area so far from any services, the closest being Wapella. It was about 30 miles to haul grain and get supplies – a two day trip.
My dad, Tom Nixon (born March 1, 1876), was the son of Kendal Nixon who came from England to homestead northeast of Wapella in 1882, the year the C.P.R. came through. By 1890-1900, they owned a steam threshing outfit and my dad received his steam engine certificate. By that time, Granddad had moved to Wapella and was in the grain-buying business. I think that was how my mother and dad met – through Mother’s brother Oliver hauling grain to Wapella. Oliver owned a steam outfit at Hazelcliffe and hired Dad to run it, consequently meeting all the pretty Millham girls – Florence being the woman of his dreams. We still have a number of Dad’s love letters to Mother, which were very affectionately written. Dad must have made a lot of long horse and buggy trips in his courtship days!
On June 5, 1901 Florence married Thomas Thornthwaite Nixon and they lived in Wapella. Dad managed the grain-buying business for his dad until 1905 and for the next two years, he was engineer for a steam engine which ran the grist mill. During this time, my three eldest brothers were born.
In 1907, they moved back to the farm northeast of Wapella, later known as Kendalton district, which Dad had homesteaded before meeting Mother. From then until 1915, three more boys arrived, followed by two girls. Over the years, they expanded to two more farms. In the early 1920’s, my eldest brother Alvin moved to one of the farms and in 1928, Dad and Mother built a new home across the road from where they were living, while brothers Bob and Tom remained on the home farm.
When I got married in 1938, Dad and Mother moved to town again. They were good community people, always willing to give a helping hand. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1951.
Mother passed away on May 19, 1952 and Dad on December 20, 1965.
FLORENCE AND THOMAS NIXON (1882 – 1952) (1876 – 1965) married 1901
1. Alvin Thomas (1902 – 1939) 2. Charles Kendal (1904 – 1977) 3. Robert Albert (1906 – 1981) 4. Thomas Richard (1907 – 1988) 5. Arthur James (1909 - ) 6. John Nicholson [Jack] (1911 – 1972) 7. Sarah Evelyn [Eva] (1913 - ) 8. Alice Jane (1915 - )
1. Alvin – Flora Martin
1. Freda – Joseph McIntyre 1. Margaret 4. Brian 7. Linda 2. Patrick 5. Bernadette 8. Bruce 3. Joanne 6. Carolyn 9. Brenda
2. Martin – Carrie Fergusson 1. Alvin 3. Colin 5. Sandra 2. Holly 4. Judith
3. Verna – Gerald Ulmer 1. Dennis 3. Douglas 5. David 2. Dale 4. Deborah
4. Eleanor – Gerald Sedgwick 1. Glenn 3. Susan 2. Barbara 4. Gale
5. Florence – Lyle Dolman 1. Heather 3. Nola 2. Richard 4. Neil
6. Ruth – Orville Peterson 1. Shelley 3. Sharon 2. Bradley 4. Lloyd
2. Charles – Clara Ricci
1. Kendal – Gladys Stewart 1. Robert 3. Timothy 2. Mark
2. Robert – Jacqueline 1. Randall 2. Cheryl
3. Caroline – Leonard Dehaan 1. Judith 3. Glen 2. Janet
3. Robert – Evelyn Schmidt
1. Roberta – David Chopek 1. Robert 2. Stephen
2. Doreen – George Szafron 1. Diane 3. Bruce 2. Donna
3. Marleen – Tommy Tomko 1. Arleen 2. Kathleen
4. Grace – Donald Ulmer 1. Donald 3. Gregory 2. Wendy 4. Jeanine
4. Thomas – Eva Strong
1. Stewart – Marie Istace 1. Laura 3. Larry 5. Vernon 2. Deborah 4. Kenneth 6. Ward
2. Bruce
3. Allan – Joyce Chase 1. Glen 2. Trevor
4. Karen – John Lloyd 1. Corinne 3. Warren 2. Dawn
5. Harvey – Linda McAuley 1. Dennis 3. Wendy 2. Mark
5. Arthur – Jean Fergusson
1. Delbert – Sharon Johnson 1. Derrick 3. Julie 2. Dale
2. Margaret – Roy Loraas 1. Darren 3. David 2. Dean
3. Donald
4. Patricia – Royce McCutcheon 1. Kevin 3. Kelly 5. Blaine 2. Kenneth 4. Bradley
5. Valerie – Fred Skiba 1. Melinda 2. Brett
6. Donna – Allan Gipman 1. Keith
6. Jack – Hazel Cramer
1. John – Denise Lockwood – Lynne Scouse 1. Lori 3. Courtney
2. Shawn 4. Alexandra
2. Carol – Thomas MacRury 1. Nicole 2. Morgan
3. Jeanne – Harold Bonora – Allan Joseph 1. Richard 3. David 5. Michael 2. Lisa 4. Matthew
7. Eva – George Markham
1. Robert – Marilyn McGuire 1. Mathew 2. Evan
2. Diane – Douglas Bain 1. Joshua 3. Nathan 2. Dana
8. Alice – William Gurba – Keith Franklin
ALVIN NIXON (by son Martin)
Alvin Thomas Nixon, the eldest son of Florence and Thomas Nixon, was born on March 21, 1902 and received his education at Kendalton School. He began helping on the farm at an early age. In the 1920’s, he made a deal with his father to farm the S ½ 26-15-33 W1.
On September 26, 1929 Alvin married Flora Isabella Martin (born September 21, 1902) of Treherne, Manitoba. They had a house built on the farm in 1929 and began to experience the trials and tribulations of farming in the “dirty thirties” and of raising a family of six children.
On June 23, 1939 Alvin met his untimely death, after a short illness, due to complications from pneumonia. Flora raised the family and after they all left home, she worked at the Orange Home at Indian Head, Saskatchewan and then until retirement at Assiniboine Hospital in Brandon. She returned to Wapella upon retirement in 1967 and spent her remaining years involved in community work. Flora particularly enjoyed visiting her beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She passed away after several months illness, on March 10, 1979 and was interred beside Alvin in Wapella cemetery.
FREDA (NIXON) McINTYRE (submitted 1991)
Freda Mae, the eldest child of Alvin and Flora Nixon, was born January 21, 1927. She attended Wapella School and after completing grade 11, worked in the general store in Wapella until her marriage.
On August 15, 1953 Freda married Joseph McIntyre, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald McIntyre of the St. Andrews district south of Wapella. To this union, nine children were born. They lived on the family farm in the St. Andrews district until 1973 when they moved to Melville where Joe was employed until his retirement in 1980.
Freda passed away on September 19, 1989 following a battle with cancer, and was buried in St. Andrews cemetery at Wapella. Joe continues to make his home in Melville.
Margaret (McIntyre) Lough
Margaret Isabella, the eldest child of Freda and Joe McIntyre, was born June 28, 1954. After completing grade 12, she began working in a bank.
On August 27, 1983 Margaret married Francis Lough. They reside in Calgary where Francis is a member of the city police and Margaret is an assistant bank manager.
Patrick McIntyre
Patrick Joseph, the second child of Freda and Joe McIntyre, was born November 28, 1955.
On July 2, 1977 Patrick married Wendy Kreutzer. They have two daughters and live in Moose Jaw where Wendy is a waitress and Patrick is employed at a meat packing firm.
Jeneen Stacey, daughter of Patrick and Wendy McIntyre, was born August 26, 1976.
Jodean Mae, second daughter of Patrick and Wendy McIntyre, was born March 16, 1979.
Joanne (McIntyre) Dodd
Joanne Marie, the second daughter of Freda and Joe McIntyre, was born February 25, 1957.
On June 29, 1974 Joanne married David Dodd and they have two sons. The family lives at Elliot Lake, Ontario where David is employed at a mine.
Brent Cameron, son of Joanne and David Dodd, was born February 8, 1974.
Brian Howard, the second son of Joanne and David Dodd, was born August 19, 1975.
Brian McIntyre
Brian Thomas, the fourth child of Freda and Joe McIntyre, was born July 18, 1959.
On August 14, 1982 Brian married Gloria Andrews and they have three sons. They live in Regina where Brian is employed at Custom Countertops and Gloria has held various positions.
Daniel Joseph, son of Brian and Gloria McIntyre, was born February 13, 1983.
Benjamin Kenneth, the second son of Brian and Gloria McIntyre, was born November 27, 1984.
Riley Brian, the third son of Brian and Gloria McIntyre, was born April 21, 1988.
Bernadette (McIntyre) Wock
Bernadette Mae, the fifth child of Freda and Joe McIntyre, was born August 29, 1963.
On August 20, 1988 Bernadette married Keith Wock. They live in Moose Jaw where Keith is a truck driver and Bernadette is also employed. They have two children.
Rachelle Dawn, daughter of Bernadette and Keith Wock, was born November 6, 1984.
Travis Keith, son of Bernadette and Keith Wock, was born December 12, 1985.
Carolyn McIntyre
Carolyn Mary, the fourth daughter of Freda and Joe McIntyre, was born January 30, 1965. She lives in Regina with Raymond Cardinal and has two children.
Michael Ray, son of Carolyn McIntyre and Raymond Cardinal, was born July 27, 1987.
Alisha Dawn, daughter of Carolyn McIntyre and Raymond Cardinal, was born September 17, 1988.
Linda (McIntyre) Bucsis
Linda Ruth, seventh child of Freda and Joe McIntyre, was born October 29, 1967.
On October 18, 1986 Linda married Calvin Bucsis and they have two daughters. They live in Melville and Calvin works for the city.
Chantel Marie, daughter of Linda and Calvin Bucsis, was born November 9, 1985.
Krista Lynn, second daughter of Linda and Calvin Bucsis, was born April 11, 1988.
Bruce McIntyre
Bruce Ronald, eighth child of Freda and Joe McInytre, was born March 10, 1971. He lives in Melville and works on construction.
Brenda McIntyre
Brenda, twin of Bruce, died at birth on March 10, 1971.
MARTIN NIXON (submitted 1991)
Martin Alvin, the only son of Alvin and Flora Nixon, was born April 5, 1930 on the family farm (26-15-33 W1). He attended school in Wapella from grade 1 to grade 11. During that time, he was a member of the Wolf Cubs, Boy Scouts, Grain Club, Beef Club, army cadets, and the high school Literary Society. After leaving school, he worked for two years for Markham Hardware in Wapella, then began operating the family farm in 1949.
On October 30, 1952 Martin married Carrie Fergusson of the Carnoustie district. Carrie was born September 11, 1932 on the family farm west of Rocanville. In 1956, Martin and Carrie left the farm and began working for North American Lumber at Minnedosa, Rivers, Carberry, McCreary, Oakville, and Transcona, Manitoba; Dryden and Vermillion Bay, Ontario; and Melville, Saskatchewan. In 1961, they were able to purchase Markham Hardware in Wapella – a big decision, but not regretted. Over the years, there were busy times. The store expanded from hardware and furniture to include liquor vendor, then groceries. In 1976, they sold all except the liquor vendor and added an insurance agency. The business was sold in 1981. Martin continues to farm at present, on the original family farm.
Martin has been on the board of stewards and a trustee of the United Church. He has served as board member of the Regina Rural Health Region, chairman of the local school board, and president of Wapella Chamber of Commerce. Presently, Martin is mayor of Wapella since 1979, board member of the Moosomin-Whitewood Union Hospital, board member of the Whitewood nursing home, and member of Wapella Lions Club.
Carrie organized a successful junior choir in 1978. She is presently a member of the United Church choir, treasurer of the Board of Management for the United Church and also of the Happy Go Lucky Club in Wapella.
Martin and Carrie raised five children and presently live at 321 3rd Ave. North in Wapella. This was the family farm house which was moved into town in 1975 and enlarged. The farm is operated from town and grows mostly wheat.
Alvin Nixon
Alvin Donald, the eldest child of Martin and Carrie Nixon, was born September 27, 1953 in Moosomin Hospital. He attended school at Vermillion Bay, Ontario, Melville and Wapella before working at Rocanville and Esterhazy potash mines, at Thompson Manitoba, and at construction in Winnipeg. Alvin graduated from STI in Moose Jaw in electrical engineering and worked for Manitoba Forest Products in The Pas, Manitoba. He was supervisor of maintenance at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg and since about a year ago, is an electronics technician for Prairie Coal at Estevan, Saskatchewan.
Holly (Nixon) Letcher
Holly Eleanor, the second child of Martin and Carrie Nixon, was born October 13, 1954 in Moosomin Hospital. She worked in retail positions after high school and then became sales representative for Walter Woods Hardware and later for Sterling Distributors. After moving to Calgary, she worked for Alberta Telephones.
On March 21, 1987 Holly married Warren Letcher and they lived at Moberly Lake, B.C. where Warren worked in construction and Holly drove a school bus daily to Chetwynd. In March 1990, they moved to Innisfail, Alberta. Holly is presently a homemaker while Warren drives transport trucks.
Colin Nixon
Colin Robert, the second son of Martin and Carrie Nixon, was born in Moosomin Hospital on November 11, 1955, and attended school in Melville, Wapella and Moosomin. He obtained autobody papers at Moose Jaw STI and has been employed in that field at Thompson and Miniota, Manitoba; Moosomin, Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan; and Edmonton, Alberta.
On December 29, 1979 Colin married Carol Monica Hanson of Moosomin. Monica was born there on June 26, 1960. At present, Carol is assistant manager of a bank in Edmonton and Colin is an insurance adjuster with Wawanesa. They have two children and reside in St. Albert, Alberta.
Erin Monica, daughter of Colin and Carol Nixon, was born May 13, 1985.
Adam Kendall, son of Colin and Carol Nixon, was born September 18, 1988.
Judith Nixon
Judith Dawn, the fourth child of Martin and Carrie Nixon, was born March 10, 1957 in Dryden, Ontario and attended school at Wapella and Saskatoon. She worked in various positions as clerk, photographer, and bookkeeper in Regina, Saskatoon and Edmonton. In 1984, Judy became a registered nurse and has worked in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Calgary, Whitehorse and Dawson Creek. At present, due to medical reasons, she resides in Wapella.
Sandra Nixon
Sandra Lyn, the youngest child of Martin and Carrie Nixon, was born December 4, 1966 and attended school, kindergarten to grade 12, at Wapella. She worked for a year in Calgary before entering university at Saskatoon for two years.
Sandra, at present, lives in Calgary where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree. She worked for a year in the university library, and has entered the field of social service.
VERNA (NIXON) ULMER (submitted 1991)
Verna Irene, the third child of Alvin and Flora Nixon, was born at Wapella on December 31, 1932 and took her schooling at Wapella School.
On December 4, 1951, Verna married Gerald Holden Ulmer (born May 28, 1929), son of Louis and Kay Ulmer of Wapella. Gerald was a grain elevator agent at various points: Gerald, Dubuc, and Bethune, until 1963. That year he bought into an implement dealership, Bethune Farm Equipment, which he still operates with his brother Don.
Verna was bookkeeper for the firm until the spring of 1988 when she was forced to stop due to ill health. Gerald also owns land which is farmed with his sons. Verna and Gerald have five children.
Dennis Ulmer
Dennis Gerald, the eldest son of Verna and Gerald Ulmer, was born November 25, 1951.
On August 10, 1974 Dennis married Debra Frederick (born June 30, 1953), of Bethune. He teaches at Athol Murray College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan and Debra is a lab-technician in Regina. They have three children.
Jeffrey Dean, son of Dennis and Debra Ulmer, was born April 27, 1977.
Jason Gerald, the second son of Dennis and Debra Ulmer, was born December 20, 1978.
Jennifer Amy, daughter of Dennis and Debra Ulmer, was born September 28, 1981.
Dale Ulmer
Dale Alvin, the second son of Verna and Gerald Ulmer, was born February 7, 1953.
On June 14, 1975 Dale married Rhonda Read (born January 29, 1955) of Bethune. Dale is parts manager at Bethune Farm Equipment and farms; Rhonda is a part-time secretary in Regina. They have four sons.
Trevor Dale, eldest son of Dale and Rhonda Ulmer, was born July 16, 1977.
Trent Michael, the second son of Dale and Rhonda Ulmer, was born February 7, 1979.
Craig Ryan, the third son of Dale and Rhonda Ulmer, was born November 20, 1980.
Kyle Jordon, the youngest son of Dale and Rhonda Ulmer, was born October 19, 1983.
Douglas Ulmer
Douglas Louis, the third son of Verna and Gerald Ulmer, was born April 10, 1954.
On April 30, 1977 Douglas married Bernadette Zaluski (born December 25, 1952) of Wynyard, Saskatchewan. He manages a department of White Farm Equipment in Regina and Bernadette works part time at the Credit Union. They have three children.
Harley Douglas, the eldest child of Douglas and Bernadette Ulmer, was born July 21, 1977.
Michalene Dawn, daughter of Douglas and Bernadette Ulmer, was born January 26, 1979.
Devin Lee, the youngest child of Douglas and Bernadette Ulmer, was born March 22, 1982.
Deborah (Ulmer) Wisniewski
Deborah Irene, the fourth child of Verna and Gerald Ulmer, was born April 26, 1955.
On November 24, 1973 Debby married John Wisniewski of Disley, Saskatchewan and had two children prior to a divorce in 1981. She lives in Bethune where she is a hairdresser and full-time school bus driver.
Robert Joseph, son of Debby and John Wisniewski, was born March 3, 1976.
Amanda Jeanne, daughter of Debby and John Wisniewski, was born January 9, 1979.
David Ulmer
David Vernon, the youngest child of Verna and Gerald Ulmer, was born June 30, 1958 and is not married. He does most of the farming and shows Limousin cattle.
ELEANOR (NIXON) SEDGWICK (submitted 1991)
Eleanor Flora, the third daughter of Alvin and Flora Nixon, was born April 6, 1934 in Wapella. She took her primary schooling there and her secondary education in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.
On July 2, 1954 Eleanor married Delbert Gerald Sedgwick (born June 5, 1934), son of Delbert and Hattie Sedgwick of Prince Albert. They have four children and presently live at #1 Erie Street, Keewatin, Ontario. Eleanor and Gerry are co-owners of the Kee West Motel and Restaurant and in their limited spare time, like to golf, fish and enjoy camping.
Glenn Sedgwick
Glenn Gerald, the only son of Eleanor and Gerald Sedgwick, was born November 7, 1955 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.
On May 13, 1978 Glenn married Jeanette Ann McLean (born June 17, 1950) in her hometown of Donnervirke, New Zealand, and they have two sons. Glenn is employed by Esso Resources and in 1989, they were transferred to Fernie, B.C. from Calgary.
Jason Gerald, son of Glenn and Jeanette Sedgwick, was born June 20, 1985.
Matthew Kenneth, the second son of Glenn and Jeanette Sedgwick, was born in Calgary on January 19, 1989.
Barbara (Sedgwick) Pernsky
Barbara Eleanor, the eldest daughter of Eleanor and Gerald Sedgwick, was born March 14, 1958 in Humboldt.
On September 3, 1977 Barbara married Donald Walter Pernsky (born July 28, 1954) of Kenora, Ontario. Donald is a guard at the jail in Kenora and Barbara is a registered nurse at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora. They have three children.
Elizabeth Barbara, daughter of Barbara and Donald Pernsky, was born in Kenora, Ontario on July 30, 1985.
Jordan Donald, son of Barbara and Donald Pernsky, was born October 6, 1987 in Kenora.
Julie Ann, the youngest child of Barbara and Donald Pernsky, was born January 14, 1990.
Susan (Sedgwick) Wiebe
Susan Ellen, the second daughter of Eleanor and Gerald Sedgwick, was born April 19, 1960 at Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
On April 5, 1980 Susan married Jerry Randall Wiebe (born October 14, 1957) of Dryden, Ontario and they have three daughters. Susan is a homemaker and employed at the Kee West Motel and Jerry works at a pulp mill in Kenora.
Jennifer Susan, daughter of Susan and Jerry Wiebe, was born July 28, 1980 in Kenora.
Josalyn Beth, the second daughter of Susan and Jerry Wiebe, was born November 12, 1982 in Kenora.
Tanya Ashley, the third daughter of Susan and Jerry Wiebe, was born June 13, 1984, also in Kenora.
Gale (Sedgwick) Greenwood
Gale Joan, the youngest daughter of Eleanor and Gerald Sedgwick, was born in Swift Current on November 7, 1963.
On September 3, 1988 Gale married Rod Greenwood, but they have since separated. Gale lives in Kenora where she is a dental assistant, and has a son.
Tyler Shawn, son of Gale Greenwood, was born December 12, 1987.
FLORENCE (NIXON) DOLMAN (submitted 1991)
Florence Margaret, the fifth child of Alvin and Flora Nixon, was born August 24, 1936. I attended Wapella School and completed grade 10 before attending the Canadian Vocational Training School in Saskatoon and graduating in 1955 as a certified nursing assistant.
On April 12, 1958 I married Lyle Thomas Dolman, son of Thomas and Grace Dolman of Craik, Saskatchewan. We farmed at Craik, where our four children were born and educated, until 1980 when Lyle’s health forced him to retire. I worked at Craik Hospital part time while we farmed.
While living at Craik, our family was very active in community affairs: the United Church, agricultural society, hospital board, curling and minor sports, Chamber of Commerce, to name a few interests.
In 1985, when the children were out of school and on their own, we moved to Moose Jaw and live at 1165 Alder Ave. I work full time at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. Heather (Dolman) Truber
Heather Isabella, the eldest child of Florence and Lyle Dolman, was born January 17, 1959.
On August 3, 1985 Heather married Terry Truber. They live in Calgary where Heather is a dietary technologist at Rocky View Hospital and Terry works at Sears Canada [Heather and Terry recently moved to Salmon Arm, B.C.]
Richard Dolman
Richard Thomas, the second child of Florence and Lyle Dolman, was born May 7, 1960. Prior to his marriage, he lived in Saskatoon and worked with the Canadian National Railway.
On August 6, 1988 Richard married Betty Lynn Christiansen (born December 24, 1958) and they have a son. Betty is a pharmacist, and they own and operate a drugstore in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, while Richard works for the CPR in summer.
Alexander Thomas, son of Richard and Betty Dolman, was born at Indian Head on November 18, 1990.
Nola Dolman
Nola Elizabeth, the third child of Florence and Lyle Dolman, was born March 3, 1962. Following graduation from grade 12, she was a medical technician in Regina. Nola is now a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Med A and has been stationed at various locations, at present, at Cold Lake, Alberta.
Neil Dolman
Neil Martin, the youngest child of Florence and Lyle Dolman, was born November 24, 1967 and since completing grade 12, has lived in Calgary. He worked on construction for a time and is now an apprentice electrician.
RUTH (NIXON) PETERSON (submitted 1991)
Ruth Alice, the youngest daughter of Alvin and Flora Nixon, was born April 8, 1938 on the family farm. I received my education at the Wapella public and high school.
On April 25, 1955 I married Orville Alexander Peterson, son of Walter and Edna Peterson of Carberry, Manitoba. Orville worked for C.P. Rail, beginning in 1948 as telegraph lineman. We met in Wapella where he worked as assistant agent and later as telegraph operator from 1953-56. We moved to Bredenbury, Saskatchewan in 1956 and for the next ten years made that railway and farming community our home. In 1966, Orville was transferred to Welwyn, Saskatchewan as station agent where we resided until the change in the railway system in 1971 when the stations were closed. We then moved to Brandon for a short ten-month stay where Orville worked as rate and bill clerk in the new C.S.C. office. In July 1972, Orville was appointed mobile supervisor for C.P. Rail at Pilot Mound, Manitoba. As it is in some companies, you must move in order to advance your position. In February 1977, we moved to Portage la Prairie and in September 1979, were transferred back to Brandon where Orville was yard co-ordinator and trainmaster.
In 1985, once again a transfer, this time to Kenora, Ontario where Orville worked as trainmaster until he took early retirement in August 1986, after 38 years of company service with C.P. Rail. We then moved to Carberry, Manitoba where we now reside.
While our four children were growing up in the various communities, we were all involved in hockey, figure skating, curling, 4-H, Sunday School, etc. and of course, the many committees needed for the operation of the rink, school and church in typical rural areas where everyone must participate in order to survive as a community.
During all of our years of moving, when the children were older, I worked outside the home as an insurance agent while living in Pilot Mound, Portage la Prairie and Brandon. Since our retirement, Orville and I are both attempting to “improve” our golf game and during the winter, enjoy curling. We hope to do some traveling in the upcoming years but for now are enjoying our visits with children and grandchildren.
Shelley (Peterson) Taylor
Shelley Alice, the eldest child of Ruth and Orville Peterson, was born in Moosomin on September 24, 1955.
On December 4, 1976 Shelley married Ronald L. Taylor of Welwyn and they have three daughters. They reside in Moosomin where Shelley works as a registered nurse at Moosomin Hospital and Ron owns and operates R.L. Taylor Trucking.
Shannon Lee, eldest daughter of Shelley and Ron Taylor, was born April 12, 1977.
Jaime Ruth, the second daughter of Shelley and Ron Taylor, was born April 16, 1979.
Cindie Jeanne Shelley, the third daughter of Shelley and Ron Taylor, was born November 30, 1980.
Bradley Peterson
Bradley Alexander, the second child of Ruth and Orville Peterson, was born April 25, 1958 in Langenburg, Saskatchewan.
On July 30, 1983 Brad married Susan N. Martin of Pilot Mound, Manitoba and they had three sons prior to a divorce. They resided in Lorette, Manitoba and Brad is a journeyman carpenter.
Owen Alexander, the eldest son of Brad and Susan Peterson, was born May 7, 1983.
Ben Walter, the second son of Brad and Susan Peterson, was born July 24, 1985.
Darryl Richard, the third son of Brad and Susan Peterson, was born July 26, 1988.
Sharon (Peterson) Currie
Sharon Dawn, the third child of Ruth and Orville Peterson, was born in Langenburg on May 14, 1960.
On July 24, 1982 Sharon married Steven C. Currie of Pilot Mound. They live on the family farm at Pilot Mound with their two children where they have a mixed farming operation. Sharon works as a licensed practical nurse at Swan Lake Hospital.
Sally Dawn, daughter of Sharon and Steven Currie, was born April 1, 1984.
Thomas David, son of Sharon and Steven Currie, was born February 20, 1986.
Lloyd Peterson
Lloyd Martin, the youngest child of Ruth and Orville Peterson, was born July 12, 1962 in Langenburg. He is single and lived in Carberry, Manitoba. Lloyd is employed by C.P. Rail in Brandon. CHARLES NIXON
Charles Kendal Nixon, the second son of Florence and Thomas Nixon, was born July 15, 1904.
On January 6, 1933 Charles married Clara Ricci and they had four children. He worked in the steel mills at Gary Indiana until his retirement to Wapella.
Charles passed away November 18, 1977 and Clara lives in Tsawwassen, B.C.
KENDAL NIXON
Kendal Richard, the eldest son of Charles and Clara Nixon, was born February 24, 1934.
On November 19, 1955 Ken married Gladys Stewart and they have three sons. They live in Lockport, Manitoba and Ken works for a transport company in Winnipeg.
Robert Nixon
Robert Richard, the eldest son of Kendal and Gladys Nixon, was born November 13, 1956.
Jennifer Christina, daughter of Robert Nixon and Kim Holoway, was born May 10, 1984.
Mark Nixon
Mark Kendal, the second son of Kendal and Gladys Nixon, was born November 1, 1961.
Timothy Nixon
Timothy Glen, the third son of Kendal and Gladys Nixon, was born July 23, 1967.
ROBERT NIXON
Robert Charles, the second son of Charles and Clara Nixon, was born December 22, 1936.
On April 24, 1963 Robert married Jacqueline Ann and they had two children prior to a divorce in 1977.
Randall Nixon
Randall Robert, son of Robert and Jacqueline Nixon, was born April 3, 1964.
Cheryl Nixon
Cheryl Anne, daughter of Robert and Jacqueline Nixon, was born September 17, 1965.
CAROLINE (NIXON) DeHAAN
Caroline Josephine, the only daughter of Charles and Clara Nixon, was born March 25, 1941.
She married Lenoard DeHaan and they have three children.
Judith DeHaan
Judith, the eldest child of Caroline and Leonard DeHaan, was born November 9, 1956.
Janet DeHaan
Janet Lynne, the second daughter of Caroline and Leonard DeHaan, was born March 6, 1958.
Glen DeHaan
Glen, the youngest child of Caroline and Leonard DeHaan, was born November 3, 1962.
THOMAS NIXON
Thomas Lowell, the youngest son of Charles and Clara Nixon, was born January 20, 1945 and presently lives in B.C.
BOB NIXON (submitted 1987)
Robert Albert Nixon, the third son of Florence and Thom Nixon, was born on the family farm on January 8, 1906 and took his schooling at Kendalton. He farmed with his father and brothers for quite some time.
On March 26, 1929 Bob married Sarah Evelyn Schmidt and they resided on the family farm where four daughters were born. In 1949, due to ill health, Bob rented out his farm and moved into the town of Wapella where he found employment with Currie & Son and Stan Thompson.
In 1956, Bob and Evelyn moved to Vancouver where, with his brother Jack, Bob worked on construction. In 1966, they moved to Brandon where he worked at maintenance in the Salvation Army Home until retirement.
In 1978, Bob was hospitalized, where he remained until his passing on November 2, 1981. Evelyn continues to reside in Brandon.
ROBERTA (NIXON) CHOPEK (submitted 1988)
Roberta May, the eldest daughter of Bob and Evelyn Nixon, was born on the family farm at Wapella on May 4, 1930 and attended school at Kendalton. In 1948, she left home to work at the Fort Qu’Appelle sanitarium, and later that year, she moved to Gimli, Manitoba where she was employed as a nurses’ aide at the general hospital.
On June 3, 1950 Roberta married David Chopek and they resided in Gimli until July 1955 when they moved to Winnipeg. They moved to Brandon in April 1961, where they now reside. Roberta works at Canadian Motors, a Ford dealership, and David is a sales representative. They have two children.
Robert Chopek
Robert David, son of Roberta and David Chopek, was born February 13, 1954, and educated in Brandon. He is employed in Winnipeg as a civil engineer and is not married.
Stephen Chopek
Stephen James, the second son of Roberta and David Chopek was born October 17, 1959. He was also educated at Brandon where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Brandon University. He is employed as an accountant with Meyers Norris Penny & Co. in Brandon and is not married.
DOREEN (NIXON) SZAFRON (submitted 1988)
Doreen Evelyn, the second daughter of Bob and Evelyn Nixon, was born on the family farm on November 28, 1931. She attended school in Kendalton before moving to Wapella with her parents.
On November 8, 1952 Doreen married George Szafron and they settled on the farm near Wapella which they have operated for 35 years, and raised three children.
Dianne (Szafron) Beutler
Dianne Lee, the eldest child of Doreen and George Szafron, was born October 30, 1953.
On July 7, 1973 Dianne married Donald Arthur Beutler. They lived in Whitewood where Donald worked with the Department of Highways as a maintenance worker and Dianne was employed at Wrights’ Pharmacy. In 1983, Donald was transferred to Rockglen, Saskatchewan. They have two children.
Deanna Lee, daughter of Dianne and Donald Beutler, was born December 14, 1973.
Robert Dale, son of Dianne and Donald Beutler, was born September 6, 1977.
Donna (Szafron) Brill
Donna Georgette, the second daughter of Doreen and George Szafron, was born June 14, 1956.
On April 5, 1980 Donna married Alan Brill and had a daughter prior to a divorce in 1983. Donna trained as a hairdresser, and has worked at the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool in Regina for the past eleven years.
Meghan Michelle, daughter of Donna and Alan Brill, was born September 30, 1982.
Bruce Szafron
David Bruce, son of Doreen and George Szafron, was born November 1, 1960. In 1980, he moved to Red Deer, Alberta where he began employment with Otis Drilling in the oil industry.
On April 10, 1982 Bruce married Lisa Ashfield and they have a daughter. In 1985, Bruce moved to Canadian Hydraulic Workovers as supervisor for southern Alberta, residing in Medicine Hat.
Melanee Nicole, daughter of Bruce and Lisa Szafron, was born August 5, 1985.
Cody, son of Bruce and Lisa Szafron, was born August 2, 1989.
MARLEEN (NIXON) TOMKO (submitted 1988)
Marleen Isabelle, the third daughter of Bob and Evelyn Nixon, was born November 11, 1935 on the family farm and received her education at Kendalton and Wapella schools.
On November 9, 1956 Marleen married Tommy Tomko at Vancouver. Tommy was a lineman with B.C. Hydro and Marleen was employed as an activity worker at Valleyview Hospital. They had two daughters.
Marleen passed away May 18, 1980 and Tommy in 1990.
Arleen (Tomko) Cathro
Arleen Gay, daughter of Marleen and Tommy Tomko, was born October 1, 1959 at Pender Harbour, B.C.
On November 8, 1980 Arleen married David Charles Cathro and they have two children. Arleen worked as a practical nurse at Riverview Hospital; David is employed by Custom Marine as a construction worker.
Daniel Thomas, son of Arleen and David Cathro, was born September 11, 1981.
Lesley Marleen, daughter of Arleen and David Cathro, was born April 16, 1984.
Kathleen (Tomko) Blom
Kathleen Ann, the second daughter of Marleen and Tommy Tomko, was born June 24, 1961 at Pender Harbour, B.C. On April 17, 1982 Kathleen married George Blom and they have two sons. Kathleen is employ ed as a banker with Imperial Bank of Commerce; George is a cuberman with Whonnock Shakes and Shingles.
Thomas George, son of Kathleen and George Blom, was born February 1, 1984.
Mathew Jonathan, the second son of Kathleen and George Blom, was born June 1, 1987.
GRACE (NIXON) ULMER (submitted 1988)
Grace Elaine, the fourth daughter of Bob and Evelyn Nixon, was born on the family farm on May 28, 1937 and attended Kendalton and Wapella schools.
On June 18, 1955 Grace married Donald Louis Ulmer. While Donald worked for Saskatchewan Department of Highways and Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, they lived in several towns. In 1966, they moved to Bethune, Saskatchewan where Donald purchased a partnership, with his brother Gerald, in Bethune Farm Equipment. Grace drives a school bus for Buffalo Plains School Division. They have four children.
Donald Ulmer
Donald Wayne, the eldest child of Grace and Donald Ulmer, was born January 4, 1956.
On December 29, 1984 Donald married Laura Lynne Omoth. He is a journeyman electrician and they reside in Bethune with their two children.
Sarah Lynn, daughter of Donald and Laura Ulmer, was born April 24, 1977.
Kayne Jeremy, son of Donald and Laura Ulmer, was born April 8, 1986.
Wendy (Ulmer) Fink
Wendy Lou, the second child of Grace and Donald Ulmer, was born November 17, 1956.
On June 20, 1981 Wendy married Melvin John Fink. They reside in Regina and have two children. Wendy works as a civil servant with the provincial government.
Kristopher John, son of Wendy and Melvin Fink, was born May 6, 1982.
Melissa Dawn, daughter of Wendy and Melvin Fink, was born April 23, 1984.
Gregory Ulmer
Gregory Dean, the third child of Grace and Donald Ulmer, was born November 1, 1959. On October 8, 1982 Gregory married Shelley Marie Mellum and they have two children. They reside in Regina and Gregory is employed by Crown Paper Products.
Derrick Lee, son of Gregory and Shelley Ulmer, was born March 3, 1983.
Sheena Dawn, daughter of Gregory and Shelley Ulmer, was born September 8, 1986.
Jeanine Ulmer
Jeanine Evelyn, the youngest child of Grace and Donald Ulmer, was born February 16, 1965. She resides in Moose Jaw where she is a psychiatric nurse at Valley View.
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TOMMY NIXON (by wife Eva)
Thomas Richard Nixon, the fourth son of Florence and Thom Nixon, was born December 15, 1907. He attended Kendalton School from 1914 to 1921, then went to Wapella School for grade 9. He helped at home on the farm until 1928 when he and his brother Robert took it over and their parents moved across the road. In 1932, Tommy moved to his uncle’s farm (Robert Nixon, Sr.)
On November 29, 1932 Tommy married Eva Eleanor Strong (born September 17, 1912), daughter of Robert and Maggie Strong of the Carnoustie district near Rocanville. They rented the farm, where their five children were born, until 1944 when they bought it from Uncle Bob. Tommy and Eva continued to live on the farm until May 20, 1980 when they moved into Rocanville and their son Bruce took over the farm.
Tommy worked for the school board for 16 years, telephone board for 14 years, and was councilor for the Rocanville Rural Municipality from 1960-63. Tommy and Eva attended their boys’ Kendalton fastball tournaments every Sunday that they could, and enjoyed bonspiels in the winter.
Tommy passed away in Moosomin Hospital on October 13, 1988 following a lengthy bout with cancer. [Eva died, also due to cancer, on January 11, 1990.]
STEWART NIXON (submitted 1991)
Stewart Richard, the eldest son of Tommy and Eva Nixon, was born at home (SE5-16-32 W1) on October 31, 1933. He attended school at Kendalton for nine years, then lived and worked at home until 1957 when he moved to NW31-15-32 W1, Uncle Bob and Aunt Evelyn’s farm which had been Granddad Nixon’s first farm.
On July 9, 1957 Stewart married Anne- Marie Istace at St. Hubert Mission, Saskatchewan where she was born on February 3, 1937. Marie attended school at St. Hubert and Montmartre, and took teacher’s training at Moose Jaw Teachers’ College before teaching at Ste. Marthe 1955-56 and Kendalton 1956-57.
Stewart and Marie have six children and continue to live on the farm which is “home” to their children and grandchildren. Marie has been working as a teacher’s aide at Wapella School since 1980. Stewart was Division 5 municipal councilor 1967-68, and reeve 1969-80 and 1986 to present. They both enjoy dancing, golf and some curling.
Laura (Nixon) Reavie
Laura Anne, the eldest daughter of Stewart and Marie Nixon, was born July 1, 1958 and received my public and high school education in Wapella. After graduating from high school, I worked for the Royal Bank in Regina, then in Moosomin, before taking a job at the Credit Union in Rocanville just before I was married.
On July 22, 1978 I married David Allan Reavie (born January 11, 1957), the eldest son of Brian and Sheila Reavie of Rocanville. We reside on the family farm 1 ½ miles east of Rocanville which Allan has farmed since his dad’s death in 1974. We also have a 75-sow hog operation, selling crossbred weanlings as well as purebred Red Wattle breeding stock. Along with farming, Allan worked for P.C.S. Rocanville from 1977 to 1990 as an industrial mechanic. In 1990, Allan left the mine to become a marketing agent for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. We have three children.
Allan was a charter member of the Rocanville Lions Club from 1979 to 1986 and I also belonged from 1980-86. In 1986, Allan was elected to the Board of Directors for the Canadian Red Wattle Hog Association and in 1987, was elected to the Board of Directors for Moosomin Credit Union at Rocanville. I enjoy curling during the winter and Allan, who was an avid hockey player before we were married, now coaches our oldest son’s hockey team.
Memories of my family when we were kids include: Deb being nicknamed “Debbie Dear” because of her sunny disposition and sense of humor; Larry, being the eldest of my four brothers, was the leader of the boys and always engineering and supervising the building of forts, treehouses, snow tunnels and all other major projects. (By the way Larry, you are forgiven for sawing the hand off my favorite doll!) Ken, our second brother became know as “an accident looking for a place to happen” for bumping into or falling off something and frequently needing a quick trip to the doctor for stitches; Vernon picked up the handle “the professor” when he started wearing glasses at 17 months of age and was reading before he reached 4 years; Ward, the baby of the family, may be last, but certainly not least, having no problem making his presence known even now.
There are two things that our parents and grandparents instilled in all us kids by the way they lived – one was to always cherish your family, whether immediate or extended, as they will always be there for you and through the years they always were. The second was to have a sense of humor – life is so much more fun if you know how to laugh!
Dwight Allan, the eldest child of Laura and Allan Reavie, was born March 10, 1981.
Evan Thomas, the second son of Laura and Allan Reavie, was born May 7, 1983.
Lesley Anne, daughter of Laura and Allan Reavie, was born February 25, 1985.
Debra (Nixon) Hilts
Debra Marie, the second daughter of Stewart and Marie Nixon, was born October 5, 1959. I attended Wapella School from 1965-1977, then graduated from the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Kelsey Institute at Saskatoon in January 1979. I have worked since that time on children’s wards at Regina General Hospital, maternity ward at Lloydminster Union Hospital, Moosomin Nursing Home, and Moosomin Union Hospital. At present I am busy with our five children at home and quite content as a housewife.
On October 17, 1981 I married John David Hilts (born August 19, 1957), son of Irene and Willie Hilts of Rocanville. Their family lived in Indian Head until 1963 when they purchased the family homestead east of Rocanville where John grew up. After our marriage, we purchased an acreage on the Hilts homestead. John, a journeyman welder, is presently employed at PCS Rocanville, and does various welding jobs for people in the community from his shop at home.
Occasionally when the whole family would get together at Grandma and Grandpa Nixon’s, there would be a ball game, kids and grown-ups alike. Often the rules would get stretched a little – it really always made for a fun day. And while on the subject of stretching the rules, one definitely had to watch closely while playing cards with a whole tableful because everyone (including Grandma) would try to see just how much they could get away with. We certainly have had a lot of good laughs over the card games!
John Michael, son of Deb and John Hilts, was born December 18, 1980 and enjoys school. He was endowed with his father’s athletic ability and is involved in hockey.
Jacqueline Gail, John’s twin, was also born December 18, 1980. She, too, enjoys school and is athletic, and also plays the organ.
Kimberly Dawn, the third child of Deb and John Hilts, was born January 10, 1983. She enjoys playing the organ and reading.
Christina Marie, the fourth child of Deb and John Hilts, was born October 3, 1984.
Heather Laurene, the youngest child of Deb and John Hilts, was born May 12, 1986.
Larry Nixon
Larry Richard, the eldest son of Stewart and Marie Nixon, was born in Moosomin Hospital on February 9, 1961 and attended school in Wapella where he graduated.
On November 7, 1986 Larry married Linda Price (born September 3, 1964) at North Battleford. They have two sons and reside in North Battleford. Larry worked on the oil rigs for some years and is now employed with the CNR.
Curtis Richard, son of Larry and Linda Nixon, was born May 19, 1986.
Brent Robert, the second son of Larry and Linda Nixon, was born December 28, 1987.
Kenneth Nixon
Kenneth David, the second son of Stewart and Marie Nixon, was born April 13, 1962. He attended school and graduated in Wapella.
On July 27, 1987 Ken married Melanie Dawn Kingdon (born October 28, 1964) at Rocanville. They lived in Brandon where Ken did carpentry work until April 1989 when they moved, with their daughter, to Rocanville. Melanie works part time as a bookkeeper for Hassler Ford and Ken has his own carpentry business, K&M Renovating.
Krysten Eva, daughter of Ken and Melanie Nixon, was born March 26, 1989.
Vernon Nixon
Vernon Michael, the fifth child of Stewart and Marie Nixon, was born July 14, 1963 and attended school in Wapella where he graduated. He took one year accounting at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon.
On March 6, 1988 Vernon married Tammy Culbertson (born July 15, 1966) of Welwyn, Saskatchewan. They live in Warman while Vernon attends university in Saskatoon, working on his degree in Commerce. Tammy is a veterinarian’s assistant in the Vet. College at the University of Saskatchewan.
Ward Nixon
Ward John, the youngest child of Stewart and Marie Nixon, was born October 27, 1964. He was educated and graduated at Wapella and now lives in Saskatoon. He is presently working as a painter for an industrial firm.
BRUCE NIXON
Bruce Warren, the second son of Tommy and Eva Nixon, was born November 27, 1935 and attended school at Kendalton from 1941-1949. He has farmed, worked on oil rigs and construction. He is still farming in the Kendalton district.
Bruce has been a councilor for the R.M. of Rocanville, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the curling club. He spends as much time as possible at Round Lake during the summer.
ALLAN NIXON (submitted 1991)
Allan Kenneth, the third son of Tommy and Eva Nixon, was born at their farm home in the Wapella district on January 5, 1937. He attended Kendalton School for his entire education, grade 1 through grade 9, then began farming with his father and brothers. With two older brothers helping outside, he was often delegated to helping with the household duties. In the winter of 1956, Allan and his oldest brother Stewart took an eight-week basic training course in the armed forces at Winnipeg.
On August 10, 1963 Allan married Joyce Chase (born May 1, 1943), the second child of Morgan and Minnie Chase of Rocanville, a stenographer at the Toronto-Dominion Bank in Regina. They took up residence on Allan’s farm NE1-16-33 in the rural municipality of Rocanville, where they raised their two sons.
Allan enjoyed fishing, hockey, curling, golfing, fastball and dancing. He was a member of Rocanville United Church, Bird’s Point Social Club, secretary-treasurer of Kendalton Snow Club, and was repairman for the rural telephone company until the lines were buried in 1984.
Allan and Joyce held an auction sale in the spring of 1990 and moved into Rocanville. Allan passed away July 29, 1990 following a recurring battle with cancer.
Glen Nixon
Glen Allan, son of Allan and Joyce Nixon, was born May 19, 1965 and attended school in Wapella where he graduated from grade 12. He took a mechanical engineering technology course at Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon and is now working for IMC at Esterhazy.
Trevor Nixon
Trevor Kenneth, the second son of Allan and Joyce Nixon, was born January 20, 1967. He graduated from grade 12 at Wapella School and also took a mechanical engineering technology course at Kelsey Institute. He works for Standard Machine Ltd. in Saskatoon.
KAREN (NIXON) LLOYD (submitted 1991)
Karen Eleanor, the only daughter of Tommy and Eva Nixon, was born October 26, 1942. I attended Kendalton School until grade 9 and took high school in Wapella.
On June 25, 1960 I married John Lawrence Lloyd (born August 25, 1938), son of Edith and Whitfield Lloyd of Rocanville, and we had three children. During the first few years of our marriage, John worked for the Co-op Lumber in Rocanville, Whitewood, and Sandy Lake, Manitoba. In July 1967, he started work in various positions at the Sylvite mine site at Rocanville. In 1973, John’s ambition of going overseas to work in the oil fields took our family to Iran for two years, then on to England for two years. We returned to Canada in 1978 so the children could graduate with Canadian diplomas from Rocanville High School. John has continued to work overseas on a 28-day rotation, except for one year when we lived in Australia.
When you have three active outgoing children growing up, it seems there is no problem becoming involved in 4-H, hockey, softball, CGIT, etc. and being car pool driver for whatever their interest of the moment is. What a delight that has all been! I have also been secretary-treasurer of our Home and School Association, trustee for the local school board, town councilor, and a member of Rocanville Lioness Club.
Grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins have been a very important part of our lives and we still look forward to getting as many as possible together to paint Easter eggs, to explore our Christmas stockings, to spend very social times around the campfire at Round Lake, or any occasion that get us all together for a good old-fashioned family meal.
[Karen passed away due to cancer on September 23, 1989.] Corinne (Lloyd) Delmage
Corinne Eleanor, the eldest child of Karen and John Lloyd, was born April 14, 1961. I attended school in Rocanville from 1967 until 1973 when we moved to Iran and later England. In the time we lived overseas, we visited several European countries including Holland, Greece, Denmark and Scotland. After our return to Canada, I graduated from Rocanville High School in 1979.
On September 6, 1980 I married Allan Ross Delmage (born August 2, 1958), son of Wm. (Rusty) and Nellie Delmage of Hazelcliffe, in the United Church in Rocanville. We lived in Rocanville until November 1982 when we moved to the Delmage family farm at Hazelcliffe. We live and farm on the SW28-18-33 W1 which was also home to Willie and Mary Frances Gordon, and Albert and Elsie Millham in days gone by.
Allan works off the farm as a welder for Goodmans Steel and Iron in Rocanville while our four children and I help out with the farming Our family enjoys spending time swimming and skiing at Round Lake in the summer and our winters are spent at Tantallon rink.
Jennifer Eleanor, the eldest daughter of Corinne and Allan Delmage, was born July 2, 1981. She attends P.J. Gillen School in Esterhazy and takes figure skating in Tantallon.
Darcy Ross, the only son of Corinne and Allan Delmage, was born November 20, 1983 and attends P.J. Gillen School. He takes figure skating and hockey at Tantallon. Kelly Lynn, the second daughter of Corinne and Allan Delmage, was born February 11, 1985 and attends P.J. Gillen School. She is also involved in figure skating and hockey at Tantallon.
Kendry Corinne, the youngest child of Corinne and Allan Delmage, was born June 13, 1989 and goes to whatever the older kids are involved in.
Dawn (Lloyd) Wilson
Edith Dawn, the second daughter of Karen and John Lloyd, was born January 24, 1963. I started school in Rocanville in 1969 and after returning from overseas in 1978, competed my education in Rocanville. After graduating in 1981, I moved to Regina and worked at Co- operators Insurance until my marriage. I enjoy singing and am often called upon to sing at weddings; I also belong to the After Eight choral group at Rocanville.
On May 20, 1984 I married Ronald James Wilson (born August 25, 1963), son of Lawrence and the late Norma Wilson of Rocanville. Ronald is employed by the Department of Highways, working with Rocanville division 1984-85, transferring to Whitewood from 1985-89, and back to Rocanville in 1989.
While curling in the winter and fastball in the summer are of great interest to Ronald, we anticipate suspension of these activities to make way for hockey practices, music lessons, or whatever other activities our four children may involve themselves with.
Lance Garrett, son of Dawn and Ronald Wilson, was born June 30, 1985.
Owen James, the second son of Dawn and Ronald Wilson, was born August 28, 1986.
Tara Tenille, the only daughter of Dawn and Ronald Wilson, was born June 4, 1988.
Brett Ronald, the youngest son of Dawn and Ronald Wilson, was born June 20, 1990.
Warren Lloyd
Warren Lawrence, the only son of Karen and John Lloyd, was born May 27, 1964. When he finished high school in 1982, Warren took mechanical engineering at Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon. After working with Cambrian Engineering for two years in Saskatoon, he decided to further his education. He received his degree in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Alberta in Edmonton in 1990 and works at Pan Canadian.
On July 2, 1989 Warren married Ann Beaulieu (born March 28, 1966) from Fairview, Alberta. Ann graduated in 1990 as an Electrical Engineer and works as a customer consultant at Northern Telecom.
HARVEY NIXON (submitted 1991)
Harvey John, the youngest son of Tommy and Eva Nixon, was born November 18, 1944 and attended school at Kendalton from 1950-59 and Wapella School for two years. He then farmed with his dad and brothers. In 1966, he bought his own farm but continued to live at home until his marriage.
On June 28, 1969 Harvey married Linda Marie McAuley. Linda was born November 5, 1946 and is the daughter of Alex and Betty McAuley of McAuley, Manitoba. Harvey and Linda have three children. They both enjoy curling, and Harvey plays fastball with the Kendalton team. He has been their pitcher for years and has had three no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1989.
Dennis Nixon
Dennis John, son of Harvey and Linda Nixon, was born October 28, 1972. He is a member of the 4-H Beef Club and curls. He is presently taking an agricultural mechanics course at Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon.
Mark Nixon
Mark Harvey, the second son of Harvey and Linda Nixon, was born August 31, 1974 and attends Wapella School. He also curls and is a member of the 4-H Beef Club.
Wendy Nixon
Wendy Marie, the only daughter of Harvey and Linda Nixon, was born September 17, 1975. She attends Wapella School and is involved in figure skating and curling.
ARTHUR NIXON (by wife Jean 1991)
Arthur James Nixon, the fifth son of Florence and Thomas Nixon, was born February 13, 1909. He attended Kendalton School (which was named after his grandfather) to grade 8, then stayed home to help on the farm. Church services were held in the school for a number of years, with the minister coming from Wapella. The school burned just before Christmas 1937 so the concert was held in a home. A new school was built in 1938. During the last two years prior to his marriage, Arthur and the hired man bached while his parents moved into Wapella for the winters.
On November 9, 1938 Arthur married Jean Fergusson, daughter of Robert and Maggie (Strong) Fergusson of the Carnoustie district near Rocanville. We lived on the family farm where we raised cows, horses, pigs, chickens and turkeys. Prices were low during the first few years compared to now. Eggs sold for five to thirteen cents a dozen and good chickens were fifty cents each. A five-gallon can of cream was around $3 to $4. It is much better now – we would not wish the dry 1930’s on anyone.
Farming began to change after we were married a year or two, when horse power was replaced by tractors. We bought our first rubber-tired tractor in 1940. The threshing machine, which required ten to twelve men to operate, was replaced by the combine in 1952. Two men could handle the same grain and it was a lot less work for the women in the house cooking. Small trucks were used in the 1920’s to haul grain to town. Farmers kept getting larger trucks, which required the back-breaking labor of shoveling, until 1940 when the grain auger was introduced which would load 100 bushels of grain in a few minutes.
In that era, fertilizer and weed sprays were brought into the market and sprayers were built to use those products. In 1954, it was a big boon to the country when farmers got electricity in the area. That did away with coal oil lamps and lanterns, and wood and coal stoves; and made it possible to have furnaces in the homes that were automatically controlled, electric washers and dryers, churns and many other smaller appliances. We got our first black and white television in 1958 and a few years later, a colored one.
Arthur and I had six children. There were good times on the farm. The Kendalton ball club, active in the ‘30’s, is still going strong today. We had many dances at Kendalton (first in the school and then in the new hall) where some orchestras were hired and sometimes local music was used. We also had neighbourly visits, card games, and ball games in summer. We went to town once a week – every Saturday – for groceries and the mail. Saturday was also bathing afternoon or night.
We always had outside men hired and most of the time, a girl in the house, until our family got older. Arthur delighted in playing tricks on people. One time, our hired man went home for the weekend. We piled an empty syrup pail and several lids at the top of our eleven or twelve-step stairway and tied a string to the doorknob at the bottom of the steps. We hid all the lamps (expecting them to get dropped). The hired man came home late and sneaked quietly to the door to go upstairs. When he opened the door, there was a terrible crash – needless to say, a real scare for him!
We had a Red Cross in our district and did sewing and knitting in the years of the war. Later on, the Red Cross folded up and we organized a Kendalton Ladies’ Circle which was active for a number of years.
Arthur and I both held positions in our community club as executives in the period that the hall was built. The hall is still there and is used once a year for a picnic, with ball games between young and elderly, children’s and adult races, concluding with a wiener roast and bingo with home cooking as prizes. There is also the odd cabaret and dance.
Arthur was on the school board for a number of years, the local school board in Wapella, the church board, the agriculture society, and he also curled for many years. Through the years, I have made a lot of quilts.
We farmed until November 1973 when we bought Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wilson’s house in Wapella and moved into town. Our son Delbert took over the farm. We take part in the active senior citizen’s group in Wapella.
DELBERT NIXON
Delbert Arthur, the eldest child of Arthur and Jean Nixon, was born August 5, 1939.
On November 7, 1964 Delbert married Sharon Johnson (born October 21, 1943) of Rocanville, daughter of Ethel Strong and Duncan Johnson, and they have three children. They operate the family farm and Sharon is a registered nurse working in Whitewood Hospital.
Derrick Nixon
Edward Derrick, son of Delbert and Sharon Nixon, was born November 15, 1966 and graduated from high school in Wapella. He is currently working on pipeline construction in Alberta and resides in Medicine Hat. Dale Nixon
Richard Dale, the second son of Delbert and Sharon Nixon, was born July 7, 1968 and also completed grade 12 in Wapella. He took an electrician course and earned his journeyman’s certificate in the spring of 1991. He now lives in Edmonton.
Julie Nixon
Julie Dawn, daughter of Delbert and Sharon Nixon, was born October 13, 1970. She graduated from grade 12 at Wapella School and has completed the first year of a two-year course in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon where she lives. MARGARET (NIXON) LORAAS
Margaret Ann, the eldest daughter of Arthur and Jean Nixon, was born May 27, 1941. She obtained a practical nurse diploma and nursed for a few years.
On September 3, 1960 Margaret married Roy Loraas of Saskatoon and had three sons prior to a divorce. She is now living and working in Saskatoon, doing office work at a rental division of the Saskatchewan government.
Darren Loraas
Darren Roy, the eldest son of Margaret and Roy Loraas, was born June 22, 1961. As a hockey referee, he officiates games in and around Saskatoon. He is a journeyman electrician, and a sales rep for Commercial Electric.
On June 16, 1990 Darren married Brenda Lee Smith (born July 30, 1960), daughter of Phyllis Ahl and Matthew Smith. Brenda works at Intercontinental Packers in Saskatoon.
Dean Loraas
Donald Dean, the second son of Margaret and Roy Loraas, was born June 15, 1962. He lives with his mother and attends the University of Saskatchewan where he has completed the first of four years in the College of Engineering.
David Loraas
David Allan, the third son of Margaret and Roy Loraas, was born July 31, 1965. He is employed by Shelley Western Groceries in Saskatoon.
DONALD NIXON
Donald James, the third child of Arthur and Jean Nixon, was born March 13, 1943 and passed away February 24, 1944.
PATRICIA (NIXON) McCUTCHEON
Patricia Jean, the fourth child of Arthur and Jean Nixon, was born December 15, 1944.
On March 28, 1964 Pat married Royce McCutcheon (born May 23, 1945) of Rocanville, son of Lillian Crowley and Lorne McCutcheon. Royce is employed at the IMC potash mine at Esterhazy and Pat is head of household at the Whitewood Inn. They have five sons, and moved from Wapella to Whitewood in 1989.
Kevin McCutcheon
Kevin Royce, the eldest son of Pat and Royce McCutcheon, was born August 12, 1964. He worked at the Co-op upgrader in Regina and is now manager of the Barley Mill, a bar, lounge and liquor vendor.
On June 3, 1990 Kevin married Leslie Leanne Clark (born November 30, 1968), daughter of Dianne Dunn and Barry Clark. They have a daughter, and Leslie is an accountant at the Barley Mill and other branches of it.
Jessica Elizabeth, daughter of Kevin and Leslie McCutcheon, was born April 22, 1991.
Kenneth McCutcheon
Kenneth Barry, the second son of Pat and Royce McCutcheon, was born April 17, 1966. He has been working in Alberta since he finished school and at present, works on pipeline construction and lives in Red Deer.
Kelly McCutcheon
Kelly James, the third son of Pat and Royce McCutcheon, was born September 18, 1968. He has also been in Alberta since finishing his schooling, and also works on pipeline construction and lives in Red Deer.
Bradley McCutcheon
Bradley Wade, the fourth son of Pat and Royce McCutcheon, was born March 21, 1973. He is out of school and does some building and also works part time on pipeline construction in Alberta. He is presently at home with his parents. Blaine McCutcheon
Blaine Robin, the youngest son of Pat and Royce McCutcheon, was born November 26, 1975 and is completing grade 9. He is involved with hockey and other school activities and sports.
VALERIE (NIXON) SKIBA
Valerie Florence, the fifth child of Arthur and Jean Nixon, was born March 19, 1951.
On July 13, 1968 Val married Fred Skiba (born February 20, 1947) of Wapella, son of Hilda Schmidt and John Skiba. Val and Fred operate the Lucky Dollar store, liquor vendor and crafts in Wapella. They have two children.
Melinda (Skiba) Beaver
Melinda Dawn, daughter of Val and Fred Skiba, was born November 20, 1968. After completion of her schooling in Wapella, she moved to Saskatoon to work in a bank and is now loan accounting officer at the Toronto Dominion Bank there.
On July 6, 1990 Melinda married Greg Beaver, son of Marge Ozirgny. Greg is a processing clerk in corporate accounting with Federated Co-op in Saskatoon.
Brett Skiba
Brett Frederick Arthur, son of Val and Fred Skiba, was born November 9, 1974 and is presently taking grades 11 and 12 in Wapella. He helps his parents in the store after school and on Saturdays.
DONNA (NIXON) GIPMAN
Donna Lee, the youngest daughter of Arthur and Jean Nixon, was born May 2, 1952.
On March 25, 1972 Donna married Allan Gipman of Garrick and had a son prior to a divorce. Donna is an executive secretary for Federated Co-operatives Limited in Saskatoon.
Keith Gipman
Keith Allan, son of Donna and Allan Gipman, was born July 3, 1972. He lives at home with his mother while working, and plans to attend university in the fall with aspirations of becoming a teacher. JACK NIXON
John Nicholson Nixon, the sixth son of Florence and Thomas Nixon, was born February 12, 1911. He served overseas during World War II, Canadian Provost Corps.
On November 30, 1940 Jack married Hazel Cramer and they had three children. He was a construction contractor in Vancouver, B.C.
Jack passed away April 9, 1972. Hazel has since remarried, to a Mr. Bradbury, and continues to live in Vancouver.
JOHN NIXON
John Walter, son of Jack and Hazel Nixon, was born April 28, 1942. He lives and works in Vancouver.
On May 30, 1963 John married Denise Gail Lockwood (born July 19, 1944), and they had two children prior to a divorce in 1973.
In 1975, John married Lynne Scouse from South Africa and they have two children.
Lori Nixon
Lori Jeannette, daughter of John and Denise Nixon, was born July 8, 1970.
Shawn Nixon
Shawn Michael, son of John and Denise Nixon, was born January 3, 1972.
Courtney Nixon
Courtney John, son of John and Lynne Nixon, was born April 7, 1976.
Alexandra Nixon
Alexandra Brie, daughter of John and Lynne Nixon, was born September 13, 1978. CAROLE (NIXON) MacRURY
Carole Anne, daughter of Jack and Hazel Nixon, was born December 22, 1943.
On May 27, 1967 Carole married Thomas MacRury (born September 5, 1944), and they have two children. In 1972, the family lived in Florida.
Nicole MacRury
Nicole Kathleen, daughter of Carole and Thomas MacRury, was born June 6, 1971.
Morgan MacRury
Morgan Sanderson, the second child of Carole and Thomas MacRury, was born March 29, 1974.
JEANNE (NIXON) JOSEPH
Jeanne Marie, the youngest child of Jack and Hazel Nixon, was born March 22, 1949.
On June 15, 1968 Jeanne married Harold Chester Bonora and they had a son prior to their divorce in 1971.
On March 22, 1973 Jeanne married Allan Joseph and they have four children. They reside in British Columbia.
Richard Bonora
Richard John, son of Jeanne and Harold Bonora, was born March 14, 1969.
Lisa Joseph
Lisa Ann, daughter of Jeanne and Allan Joseph, was born July 24, 1973.
David Joseph
David Stanley Frederick, the eldest son of Jeanne and Allan Joseph, was born November 1, 1974.
Matthew Joseph
Matthew Gerald, the second son of Jeanne and Allan Joseph, was born June 14, 1981.
Michael Joseph
Michael Alan, the youngest son of Jeanne and Allan Joseph, was born October 30, 1982.
EVA (NIXON) MARKHAM (submitted 1988)
Sarah Evelyn (Eva) Nixon was born March 15, 1913 at the farm home in the Kendalton district seven miles northeast of Wapella, the seventh child and first daughter of Florence and Thom Nixon. I attended Kendalton School followed by high school in Wapella. In 1931, I commenced nurse’s training in Moose Jaw General Hospital, completing training and graduating on September 21, 1934. Due to the lack of local employment in the dirty thirties, I obtained employment in Portland Oregon General Hospital for one year. Following that, I was employed at Oxnard, California for one year, then one year in Indiana. In June 1939, I was called home due to the death of my eldest brother Alvin.
On July 28, 1939 I married George Markham (born July 17, 1912 at Virden), my high school sweetheart. Following our marriage, we made our home in Wapella. George was the son of Frank and Edith Markham who resided in Wapella for 18 years and operated a café and confectionery store. Three years prior to our marriage, George was employed by the Olympia Company in Brandon as a salesman. In 1942, we purchased his dad’s business which we operated for three years. Following that, George was in the hardware, appliance and furniture business for eighteen years. During that period, we adopted two children.
In 1959, George opened a furniture and appliance store in Moosomin, which he operated until his death. In 1960, we moved to Moosomin and built our home.
In 1959, when the polio epidemic was at its height, I was employed by the Public Health Department and worked for ten years out of the Moosomin Public Health Office. In 1967, I oriented into hospital work and did part-time duties until I retired in 1975.
George passed away suddenly on November 26, 1982, due to an aneurysm, at the age of 70. I continue to reside in Moosomin.
ROBERT MARKHAM
Robert George, son of Eva and George Markham, was born February 20, 1949. He graduated from Moosomin High School in 1967 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Regina in 1972.
On June 15, 1974 Robert married Marilyn McGuire (born August 23, 1953), daughter of Kendal and Ione McGuire of Kipling, Saskatchewan. Marilyn graduated from Kipling High School in 1971 and worked at Sask Tel in Regina for five years.
Robert received his Bachelor of Education Degree in 1977 and that same year, accepted a teaching position at Langenburg High School where he is presently employed. Robert and Marilyn have two sons. Mathew Markham
Mathew Stephen, son of Robert and Marilyn Markham, was born September 4, 1976.
Evan Markham
Evan Thomas, the second son of Robert and Marilyn Markham, was born June 18, 1981.
DIANE (MARKHAM) BAIN
Diane Evelyn, daughter of Eva and George Markham, was born July 21, 1951. She graduated from Moosomin High School in 1969 and from Regina General Hospital as a registered nurse in 1971.
On September 4, 1971 Diane married Douglas James Bain (born September 20, 1950), son of James and Mary Bain of Moosomin. Douglas graduated from Moosomin High School in 1968, and Saskatchewan Technical Institute in June 1971 with Business Administration. He is presently employed as office manager at Moosomin Ready Mix, and Diane has part-time employment at the nursing home in Moosomin. They have three children.
Joshua Bain
Joshua James, the eldest child of Diane and Douglas Bain, was born July 28, 1976.
Dana Bain
Dana Evelyn, daughter of Diane and Douglas Bain, was born November 23, 1979.
Nathan Bain
Nathan Douglas, the youngest child of Diane and Douglas Bain, was born September 28, 1983.
ALICE (NIXON) FRANKLIN (submitted 1988)
Alice Jane Nixon, the eighth child and second daughter of Florence and Thom Nixon, was born August 7, 1915 at their farm home in the Kendalton district. I attended Kendalton School followed by high school in Wapella. In 1933, I attended Success Business College in Winnipeg, then accepted a stenographic position with Olympia Wholesale in Brandon until my marriage.
On December 16, 1941 I married William (Bill) Gurba and in February 1942, he was called into the army, Winnipeg Grenadiers. During his various postings to Woodstock, Prince Albert and Victoria, I followed him as so many other army wives did. He served overseas from the early part of 1944 until his return home at the end of the war.
Following his return, we again resided in Brandon where he was employed by the Brandon Transit System. Bill passed away December 16, 1976. For a few years, I did office overload work and then took a position with Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. where I worked for twelve years before retiring.
On August 31, 1985, I married Keith Franklin and we continue to reside in Brandon.
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ELIZABETH
(by son George)
Elizabeth Millham, the youngest child of Charles and Sarah Millham, was born at Minnedosa, Manitoba on December 4, 1884 and moved with her family to the Hazelcliffe district in 1891. She attended Hazelcliffe School after it opened in 1893.
On November 11, 1906 Elizabeth (known as Lizzie, and in her later years as Betty) married Robert Nicholson Nixon, the fourth son of Kendal and Jane Nixon of Wapella. Bob was born February 13, 1883 in Keswick, North Cumberland, England and in the same year, came to Canada with his mother, sister and brother to join his father and two brothers Jack and Tom who had come to Canada the previous year. When he was old enough, he was able to help on the homestead and also helped his dad build the first elevator in Wapella and a warehouse in Red Jacket. In 1904, Dad purchased the SW5-16-32. During the first winter spent on his own place, he awakened one morning and upon looking out the window, saw a big bear standing in front of his shack. The only weapon he had was a double-barreled shotgun; fortunately the bear was close enough for him to kill it.
Mother and Dad farmed in the Kendalton district northeast of Wapella (where two sons and a daughter were born to them) until 1932 when they retired and moved into Wapella. In 1968, they moved into the nursing home at Moosomin. Dad passed away December 30, 1970 and Mother on July 13, 1972.
ELIZABETH AND ROBERT NIXON (1884 – 1972) (1883 – 1970) married 1906
1. George (1907 - ) 2. William (1909 – 1929) 3. Marion (1916 - )
1. George – Tanyss Kydd – Edith Tudge – Jean McDonald
1. Mervyn – Elsie Schmidt 1. Melody 2. Darryl 3. Robin 4. Kimberly
2. Audrey – Floyd Rousell – Max Taylor – George Denhamm 1. Brenda 2. Lona
2. William
3. Marion – Walter Thorn – Kay Matson
1. Marlene – Gerald Barber 1. Brenda 2. Darin
2. Robert – Sue McDonald 1. Brock 2. Kelly GEORGE NIXON (submitted 1988)
George, the eldest child of Elizabeth and Robert Nixon, was born on their family farm on December 28, 1907. I lived at home and helped with the farming until my marriage.
On September 18, 1929 I married Tanyss May Kydd, daughter of David and Margaret Kydd of the Woodleigh district north of Wapella. We farmed in the Trafford district east of Wapella where we raised two children. We moved into Wapella in 1958 when our son took over the farm. Following a lengthy illness, Tanyss passed away October 11, 1976.
On September 1, 1977 I married Edith Tudge and continue to live in Wapella.
[Edith passed away December 28, 1988. On September 22, 1990, George married Jean McDonald of Wapella.]
MERVYN NIXON
Mervyn, son of George and Tanyss Nixon, was born April 26, 1932.
On June 10, 1954 Mervyn married Elsie Schmidt (born April 5, 1934) and they have four children. They took over his father’s farm which they operated until 1962. In 1972, the farm was sold and they moved to Abbotsford, B.C.
Melody Nixon
Melody Anne, the eldest daughter of Mervyn and Elsie Nixon, was born March 27, 1955. She now lives in Australia.
Darryl Nixon
Darryl Mervyn, the only son of Mervyn and Elsie Nixon, was born April 18, 1956.
On May 27, 1987 Darryl married Helena and they reside in Abbotsford.
Robin (Nixon) Baldwin
Robin, the second daughter of Mervyn and Elsie Nixon, was born July 25, 1957.
In June 1978, Robin married Jim Baldwin and they live in Abbotsford.
Kimberly (Nixon) Kirchinko
Kimberly Joy, the youngest daughter of Mervyn and Elsie Nixon, was born March 5, 1962.
On April 3, 1982 Kim married John Kirchinko and they have two children. They also live in Abbotsford.
Angela, daughter of Kim and John Kirchinko, was born January 28, 1984.
Dillan, son of Kim and John Kirchinko, was born March 11, 1987.
AUDREY (NIXON) DENHAMM
Audrey, daughter of George and Tanyss Nixon, was born January 17, 1936.
On March 28, 1955 Audrey married Floyd Rousell, a steel fabricator, of Regina and they had two daughters prior to a divorce.
On March 14, 1970 Audrey married Max Taylor of Regina. They lived in Calgary where they were divorced in 1983.
On April 23, 1988 Audrey married George Denhamm.
Brenda (Rousell) Bacon
Brenda, daughter of Audrey and Floyd Rousell, was born February 5, 1957.
On July 18, 1982 Brenda married Craig Birston. They were later divorced.
On March 7, 1987 Brenda married Michael Bacon. They reside in Winnipeg and have one child.
Lona (Rousell) Loudon
Lona, the second daughter of Audrey and Floyd Rousell, was born February 26, 1959.
On July 23, 1983 Lona married Hopeton Loudon. They live in Calgary with their three children.
Adrian, son of Lona and Hopeton Loudon, was born January 14, 1986.
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WILLIAM NIXON
William, the second son of Elizabeth and Robert Nixon, was born May 30, 1909.
He passed away in January 1929 due to spinal meningitis following a short illness.
MARION (NIXON) MATSON
Marion Nixon, the only daughter of Elizabeth and Robert Nixon, was born December 29, 1916.
On July 30, 1935 Marion married Walter Thorn. At that time, Walter was the lumberyard agent at Wapella but was transferred to Beechy, Saskatchewan that same year. In 1937, they moved to Indian Head and in 1942, to Moose Jaw where they remained until 1951 when they moved, with their two children, to Vancouver. Walter passed away October 15, 1987.
Marion married a retired army lieutenant colonel, Kay Matson. They spend their winters in Hemet, California and summers in North Vancouver.
MARLENE (THORN) BARBER
Marlene, daughter of Marion and Walter Thorn, was born January 31, 1941.
On September 29, 1961 Marlene married Gerald Barber (born November 20, 1934) and they have two children.
Brenda Barber
Brenda Lynn, daughter of Marlene and Gerald Barber, was born April 13, 1963.
Darin Barber
Darin Gerald, son of Marlene and Gerald Barber, was born December 23, 1967.
BOB THORN
Robert, son of Marion and Walter Thorn, was born February 2, 1943.
On April 11, 1964 Bob married Susan McDonald and they have two children.
Brock Thorn
Brock, son of Bob and Sue Thorn, was born October 16, 1969.
Kelly Thorn
Kelly Rae, daughter of Bob and Sue Thorn, was born April 24, 1973.