BENA (STEFANSSON) FRAZER

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BENA (STEFANSSON) FRAZER September 22, 1917- September 5, 2009 After a long, healthy and productive life, Bena Frazer passed away on September 5, 2009 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. Bena was predeceased by her husband, Harold in 1997. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Rick, Doreen, Susan, Ken and Joanne and their partners, Jackie Frazer, Don Phimister, Robert Wilson, Eileen Frazer and Ken Medal, her grandchildren, Kevin, Corey (and Silja), Marnie (and Ewan), Jason (and Kara), Damon, Eric (and Tane), Lisa, Steven and Tommy, and her only great-grandchild, Owen. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law Beth Hunt and family, and her adopted family, the Watsons. Bena was born and grew up in Elfros, SK. As a young woman, she moved to Swan River, MB where she met and married Harold Frazer. During their 53 year marriage, she helped run the family farm while raising five children. Somehow she also managed to maintain two large vegetable gardens, deal with bushels of canning and preserving, sew wardrobes for her family and friends, lead a 4-H sewing club, take an active part in activities at the United Church, and produce a constant stream of hand crafted treasures. In later years, she devoted many hours to helping her son Ken in his photo studio, then opened a framing business of her own - The Mitre Box. The final years of her time in Swan River were difficult. She nursed Harold through a decade of a debilitating illness and after he passed, life was very lonely for her. In 2005, Bena moved to Winnipeg to start a new chapter in her life. She enjoyed her new home at The Boulton and made new friends. Peter Leochko became the very special friend who lit up the last years of her life. The companionship and daily phone calls were a godsend to both of them and Peter will miss his special connection with Bena. Bena was an exceptional person - intelligent, brave, hard working, inventive, independent, artistic, practical, welcoming, and witty. She was the binding force and anchor of her family and will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at Swan Valley Funeral Services in Swan River on September 14 at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Legion Room at the War Veterans Community Hall. There will also be a memorial service and reception held in Winnipeg on September 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Bardal Funeral Home, 843 Sherbrook Street. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bena's name may be made to the Community Foundation of Swan Valley, Swan River or the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, 10 - 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. 843 Sherbrook Street - 774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 09, 2009