The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Gerald Manns of Creighton passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at the Northern Lights Manor at the age of 92 years. Gerry was born in Howell, Michigan April 4, 1911 and came to Gilbert Plains, MB. a few months later with his parents and older brother. Gerry farmed in the Grandview area and it was there on November 14, 1945 that he married Bertha Shand. They came up to Flin Flon in May of 1946 when he hired on at HBM&S. Gerry worked underground until his retirement in 1973. Gerry and Bertha's marriage was blessed with three children, Carol, Beverley and Brian. Family was a very important part of Gerry's life and most long weekends would find him back in Grandview. Music was also a much enjoyed pastime and even the youngest great-grandchild was serenaded with a song. Gerry always kept active. He enjoyed curling, hunting, fishing, camping, berry-picking, bowling, playing cards and music. He was always singing; he took special pleasure in his later years in singing to the 'old folk' in the Manor or Personal Care Home. He had an honorary life membership in the Flin Flon/Creighton Seniors, the North Sask Seniors 55 Plus and the BPO Elks. Gerry was predeceased by his parents, Andy and Caroline, his brothers Arlington, Raymond and Norman, his sisters Hester Highfield, Doris Wysoski and Lila Mansell. His brother George passed away on August 2003 in Arizona. He is survived by his wife Bertha, his children Carol (John) Mitchell, Beverley (Farley) Hemmings, Brian (Teena), his grandchildren Vienna (Jim) Huber, Keith Mitchell, Kelly (Corrin) Mitchell, Lisa (Robert) Engelhardt, Allan Hemmings, Scott (Charlene) Hemmings, Cheryl Manns, Dan Manns and their mother Joyce, and Troy Hakansson and his great-grandchildren Cory, Hona, Katelynn, Sebastian, David, Gerry, Robert, Brandi, Britney, Alfie, Kimberly, Dennis and Celina. Also by his sisters Ila Dietrich, Ruth Mulligan, Irene Sadowiak and Anna Mack, his brothers Fred and Charlie as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Gerry were held on Saturday, July 26, 2003 at 2:00 pm from the Salvation Army Citadel with Pastor Lorne Moorhead officiating. Arlene Milton was the organist and the Seniors Choir sang two of Gerry's favorite songs. Active pallbearers were Dan Manns, Keith and Kelly Mitchell, Allan and Scott Hemmings and Dean Jeffrey. Honorary pallbearers were all of his family and friends. Ushers were Bonnie and Dean Tait, and memorial register attendants were Kathleen and Dave Woodward. Following interment at East Hillside Cemetery, the North Sask Seniors served lunch at the Salvation Army. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to: The Mitkas-Hunter Hope Foundation Inc. Box 792, Creighton, SK, S0P 0A0, or the Northern Lights Manor, 274 Bracken St., Flin Flon, MB. R8A 1P4. Thank you to all who so graciously sent cards, food, flowers and donations. To Darren of Dadson's Funeral Home for all his help and kind words, to the staff of the Northern Lights Manor who made his stay there so comfortable, and to Lorne Moorhead for being there for us. To all of our family and friends who will always treasure the entertainment and laughter that he so freely provided for us. You have all helped to make a difficult time a little easier to bear. Bertha Manns, Carol and John Mitchell, Bev and Farley Hemmings, Brian and Teena Manns and families.