FLORA NORDMAN

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FLORA NORDMAN (nee FAAREN) Flora Nordman, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at the age of 76 on Monday, July 17, 2017, surrounded by family. Flora was born on February 9, 1941 near Wakopa, Manitoba, and grew up on her family farm north east of Killarney, Manitoba. Flora was predeceased by her father Albin Faaren (1970), her mother Georgina (Florence) Scott (1999), brother Alvin Faaren (1989), husband Dennis Nordman (1984), niece Tammy Drobot (2010), and sisters-in-law Cheryl Cheyne (2015) and Florence Faaren (2015). Flora leaves behind her brother Glen Faaren, children Gina (Phil) Fleury and Conrad (Kathryn) Nordman, grandchildren Kirsten Fleury, Riley Nordman, Liam Fleury, Mikayla Nordman and guardian grandchild Nicholus Demers, sister-in-law Dianne (Bill) Arran, as well as many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Flora attended Northcote Country School, then Killarney High School and received her Teachers Certificate from Brandon Teachers College. She worked in one room school houses in Killarney, Crystal City, Cypress River and Flin Flon. Flora married Dennis Nordman of Cypress River on July 16, 1966. They moved to Disley, Saskatchewan when Dennis was transferred there through his work with Patterson Grain. While in Saskatchewan, Flora had her two children Gina (1968) and Conrad (1970). She took a break from teaching while living in Saskatchewan, but took the opportunity to home school Gina for Kindergarten. Flora enjoyed travelling and the family took every opportunity to return to Manitoba to visit their relatives, to go camping in Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, or to road trip around North America. Flora herself was never an athlete, but she was a proud supporter of her husband and her children in their sports. In 1980, Dennis was transferred back to Dacotah, Manitoba. Flora returned to teaching as a substitute in the White Horse Plains School Division, until she took on a full time position at Maxwell Hutterite School. Dennis passed away suddenly in 1984. While raising her two kids on her own, she also resettled the family near St. Francois Xavier, and returned to school at the University of Winnipeg in the evenings and summer to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Education, where she majored in English and graduated with Honours. Flora proudly continued to teach into her early 60s, when her health led her to take an early retirement. This allowed Flora to spend more time reading and crocheting and would share her creations and books with her family. Flora also took up an interest in Genealogy, as she was very proud of her Norwegian, Irish, Welsh and English heritage. Flora was a very proud grandmother and always asked for updates on how all "her kids" were doing, what activities they were into, and how their schooling was going. As Flora was not able to get around as much, she became a self-taught tech-whiz and began contacting everyone through text, email or Facebook. For the last couple of years Flora was lucky enough to have her younger brother Glen move in to her new apartment with her. He was a great companion, friend, helper and comfort as she aged and this allowed her to stay in her own home. Flora had a dry sense of humour, an incredibly infectious laugh, and had a habit of laughing until she cried. Flora was very much loved by her family and friends, and she will be sorely missed. We all take comfort in the fact that she is now reunited with her beloved Dennis and is no longer in pain. In honour of Flora's wishes, there will be no formal funeral, and cremation has taken place. Family and close friends will be invited to a casual Celebration of Life and a supper composed of Flora's favourite foods. Donations may be made in honour of Flora's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Manitoba Lung Association. Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 22, 2017