MURIEL YVONNE BURNETT

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MURIEL YVONNE BURNETT

A life well lived, Muriel "Moo" Burnett of Neepawa passed away on July 2, 2026, at the age of 97.

Muriel is survived by her children, Judy (Dennis Pearce), Raymond (Linda) Burnett, Gary (Melanie) Burnett and Bonnie (Brent Grandbois) and grandchildren, Ian and Eric, Marnie, Diane and Amber, Randon, Bryce, Billy and Daniel, and Dawn, as well as great-grandchildren, Tayden, Matea, Tucker, Cooper, Oliver, Naomi, Charlie, Russell, Reggie, Henry, Dylan, Emily, Mya. She was predeceased by her husband Don Burnett and her parents, Jack and Verna Biles and sisters, Mabel Holmes, Bernice Olson, Phyllis Parrott and Ruby Naakykens.

Born in Neepawa on August 22, 1928, Muriel spent her childhood as the youngest of five Biles sisters. In 1947 she married Don and they headed north to the new mining town of Snow Lake where they spent their first year in 'tent-town' before building the first house in Snow Lake. Following a year of education in Winnipeg, they moved to Flin Flon in 1953 where most of the life-long friendships developed. All four children were born in Flin Flon and Muriel quickly became a force to be reckoned with at the curling club. They enjoyed fishing, trudging portages, camping and boating in the summer. Even after all the years, the Flin Flon friends were among the first to reach out to offer their condolences.

In 1967 they moved to the new growing town of Thompson, Manitoba. Muriel quickly got involved in the curling club and served numerous positions on the Executive while continuing to bring home the hardware. She represented the north at both the Mixed and Senior Provincial Championships. She was a lifetime member of the Burntwood Curling Club. Once her children were grown, she returned to the workforce and ended her career as the receptionist at the Thompson Provincial Building. The summers were spent fishing and water-skiing. The camper on the point at Setting Lake and then the cabin at Paint Lake became weekend gathering spots as the family expanded.

In 1988 Muriel and Don became Winter Texans. She spent 20 years at Southern Comfort Resort in Weslaco Texas where she was active in the golf club, spent time at South Padre Island, exploring the Rio Grand Valley, organizing many women outings and of course hosting countless happy hours.

She moved to Neepawa in 2011 where she quickly made new friends and enjoyed coffee meetings and breakfast outings. She made a lifelong friend in Lil Haines who was a true friend and caregiver. They shared happy hours and thoughts weekly. She loved nature and the outdoors and spent countless hours sitting in the sun and loved going for rides and watching the seasons change.

Muriel was intensely proud of her family. She always looked forward to her "milestone" birthdays every five years where all her family from near and far gathered to celebrate. She was also proud to be the respected matriarch of the 'sistahood' and had great pleasure sharing friendship with these women. She was blessed with a healthy family and cherished friends.

A funeral is planned for July 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Neepawa at White’s Funeral Home - 2171 Mountain Avenue.

May she rest in well-earned peace.

White’s Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Neepawa - Carberry - Minnedosa

204-476-2848 - www.whitesfh.ca

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 17, 2026