DONALD RALPH LITTLE

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DONALD RALPH LITTLE Following a lengthy illness our beloved father Ralph, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2005 at the St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, at the age of 78 years. He was born on September 11, 1927, near the Village of Hilton (Section 26 Township 6 Range 16W) to Charles Edward Little and Mary Robina Norrie, the middle of three children. His mother died when he was only three. His father and his new mom Doris raised him and his two sisters as well as seven more children, six girls and one boy. Ralph married Alice Boulden December 1, 1951 at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Wawanesa and together they raised two sons, Donald and Grant. Dad left school early to begin working. In his teens he worked on Hilton district farms and later for Manitoba Hydro as a lineman during the rural electrification program. In 1951, he joined United Grain Growers (now Agricore) as an elevator agent's helper, first at Hilton and then later that year at Hartney. He was appointed manager in Hartney in 1954 and remained in that community until his retirement in 1987 when he moved to Winnipeg. Over the years he received many Top Ten awards for sales and service and formed many friendships in the community and within the company. He served over the years as vestryman and churchwarden, was assistant fire chief of the local volunteer fire department, and was involved with the Cub Scouts, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Hartney Curling Club and the local Game and Fish Association. Ralph enjoyed all of these times but his happiest ones were spent with his two sons fishing, hunting, golfing and with their various sports and other activities. He also cherished the memories of his British Columbia fishing trip with his brother Ron. Those who knew him will remember his quick wit, the twinkle in his eye and many happy moments. Left to mourn his passing are his two sons of whom he was so proud, Donald Mark (Barbara) Little of Winnipeg and David Grant (Carolyn) Little of Ardrossan, AB; five grandchildren, Nancy, Ainsley, Christopher, Jacqueline and Monica. He is also survived by his wife Alice; six sisters and one brother, Pauline Reykdal (his best friend), Donna (Hal) Hedley, Erma Palik, Elva (Orville) Shaw, Ronald (Deanne) Little, Marge Ferris and Madelon (Bruce) Downey; uncle Albert Little and aunt Alice Little as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Mary (1930), his father Charlie (1970), his stepmother Doris (2001) and sisters, Lois (1962) and Rhoda (2000). At Ralph's request, cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held in the Hilton Cemetery on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow at the Wawanesa Community Hall. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and health care aides at St. Boniface General Hospital, both on 5E and in the Palliative Care Unit who cared for Dad during his last illness. Your dedication and the genuine care and concern you showed him were noticed, appreciated and will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph's memory to St. Boniface General Hospital and Research Foundation (Palliative Care Endowment Fund), 409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 or to Hilton Cemetery Fund in care of Blair Rankin, RR No. 1, Wawanesa, MB R0K 2G0 or to a charity of choice. Ralph's arrangements have been entrusted to the Family Owned Funeral Chapel of: WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 15, 2005