ELMER WILLIAM JOHN LAWRENSON

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ELMER WILLIAM JOHN LAWRENSON It is with sadness that we announce the death of Elmer on September 2, 2007, at the age of 93 years. Elmer was born in a farmhouse near Graysville, MB, on November 12, 1913, the middle child of five. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur on March 5, 1921, and Lillian on August 24, 1950; sister Mary Roberts on December 22, 1974; brother Arthur Lawrenson on October 26, 1975; half brother Earl Carrol on February 7, 1980, and sister Myrtle Park on November 11, 2003. Elmer was also predeceased by his first wife of 38 years, Ina May, on October 25, 1978, and by his second wife of five years, Dorothy, on January 26, 1988. He is survived by his only child Fred Lawrenson and his wife Janet; grandchildren, Dory Lawrenson, Chuck Lawrenson and his wife Danea; great-grandchildren, Mercer Aaron, Celeste Desiree, Heath Hewitt, Avril Anne, and Phoebe Joon. He also leaves nieces, nephews and many friends. Elmer died at Vista Park Lodge. We would like to thank the staff at the lodge for their kind and loving care for Elmer during his final days. Special thanks to all the nurses and homecare workers at Meadowood Manor who attended to him after his three heart attacks, two strokes and diabetes. He could not have lived independently for so many years without your loving care. Thank you to Pastor Hamm of the Manor for your special visits and stirring church services each Sunday. Because his father died accidentally when Elmer was only six years old, he had a difficult start in life. He was permitted to attend school only until grade six and then due to his stature and great strength, he was sent to work as a farm labourer to support his two sisters, one younger brother and mother. He always felt he didn't reach his potential because he never had a father when he was growing up and did not receive a proper education. This probably was the fact that drove him to work so hard, serve on the Whiteshell Trailer Association Executive and later in the Whiteshell Cottage Association, and have a friendly word for everyone he met. In November 1940, he married Ina May Morrison and they moved from Carman to Winnipeg. In July 1942 Elmer joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Upon discharge from the war effort Elmer and Ina continued to live in Winnipeg where he worked for The Automobile Supply Co. from June 1943 to November 1976. Unfortunately Ina died in 1978. Elmer was a widower for five years and then he married a childhood friend from Graysville, Dorothy Murta, in 1983. Elmer's life can be summed up in a few words. He worked very hard at whatever the task. He loved his time at West Hawk Lake, fishing, building, golfing, family times and building more additions to his cottage. He loved being at the cottage so much he would go down in April and stay until October. By being so early and staying so late in the season, he would often be the only one in the entire area. He liked to say, It is so quiet I can hear the pepper hit my eggs. He had a great sense of humor and loved joking with everyone he met. He had a great many friends and they continued to visit him until his passing. Special thanks to Pastors Ron Koleba and Lorne Everett for all their visits and kindness over the years. The funeral service will be held on Friday, September 7, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Winnipeg Evangelical Free Church, 500 Lagimodiere Blvd., with Pastor Ron Koleba officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4000 Portage Avenue. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home Cemetery Hwy. No. 1 E. at Navin Rd. (204) 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2007