Frances Fedoruk - our mother, grandmother, great-grandma and auntie. Mom was born in Sundown on March 10, 1921. She spent most of her first 19 years at home surrounded by parents and family. Mother met our father and they were married on February 2, 1941. Mom always told us she had a wedding that lasted 7 days. Mom and dad were married for 33 years. This marriage was blessed with 3 daughters and 2 sons. Our mother was a strong-willed, determined woman. She was always ready and willing to help. Mom checked up on those who were her seniors, took them shopping and to doctor appointments, or just had them over for a visit. Mom worked as a cook in the local hotel for a number of years. She made the most wonderful donuts. The recipe is shared with the next generations, and they love them too! Mom spent much of her time as a seamstress at home and at the Altona sewing factory. To us kids it seemed like she had been sewing forever. Mom’s love for gardening, sewing, and creativity has been passed on to her family. Thanks Mom. Mom loved her life outdoors caring for her garden, flowers, strawberries and raspberries, which she put together with love and care to sell to those around her. Georgann remembers how she would pick strawberries with mom, and mom’s comment was, “Someday you will hate these.” But Georgie says she has never quit eating strawberries and they are still her favorite fruit. The bigger the bowl the better. Mom, we will always remember you with fond memories when the strawberry season is here, when we see the first shoots of rhubarb, when the apple tree blooms, and the potatoes are ready for harvest. Mom was a very concerned and dedicated lady. She cared for anyone who crossed her path. Mary once said, “Mom worries so much that I don’t have to.” Our mom’s hospitality extended far and wide. You would never leave her home without having a cup of coffee and something to eat, and to top it off, a goody bag to take home. She hated to see anyone leave. It was always, “Just one more thing”... just to keep us at her house a little bit longer. One Christmas day as we were finishing our lunch there was a knock at the door. It was a native man that came by begging. Mom invited him in, served him lunch and packed up leftovers to take with him. He went on his way. That night he perished in a fire in his own tent. Mom’s last 12 years were spent at the Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach where she was challenged with dementia. An indication of this was one day while Mary was visiting her, she brought mom some cookies but mom was concerned about how much the tax would be. Mary told mom on another visit that mom had a new great-grandson. Her response was, “I KNOW THAT!” Though she couldn’t have known that, one wonders what she may have been aware of that she wasn’t able to communicate. Mother went to eternal rest on July 7, 2013. She leaves to carry on: son Steve and wife Vickie of Lorette; daughters Mary Giesbrecht of Steinbach, Jennifer and husband Henry Penner of Calgary, Georgann and husband Wayne Brewer of Powell River; daughter-in-law Pauline of Winnipeg. Mom was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Mom was predeceased by her husband Andrew in 1974, youngest son Peter in 2005, and son-in-law Menno in 2006. Funeral services held at the Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, July 11, 2013. Interment to follow in Gretna. Our many thanks to the wonderful staff at the Rest Haven Nursing Home, Birchwood Funeral Chapel, and to the many friends that have encouraged our family along the way. God bless you all.