MERLE THELMA DENNIS (CHILDERHOSE)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MERLE THELMA DENNIS (nee CHILDERHOSE) Merle passed away peacefully at the Charleswood Care Centre on January 9, 2010 just four months shy of her 92 birthday. She will be sadly missed by her daughter-in-law Dolores (Dolly) Dennis, grandsons Dwayne and Todd and great-granddaughter Isabella Dennis, nieces and nephews, especially Lynda Holt and Bob Keith. She was predeceased by her husband Wilfred in 1997 and son Richard in 1995, her parents Wallace and Ruby Childerhose, brothers Ernest and Dan, and sister Doreen Keith. Born on May 3, 1918 she was raised and schooled in Rosser. In 1941 she married Wilfred Dennis and continued to reside in Rosser. Merle was an active member and held offices in both the Rosser United Church Women and the Rosser Women's Institute the latter which presented her with a life membership in 1991. Having been a true farm wife, driving the grain truck across the railway tracks to the south field, Merle was very concerned when it came time for her grandsons to take the bus to Rosser School with the high grade of the road so she instigated the widening of Meridian Road and the installation of the Railway crossing arms which provide safety for all drivers to this day. Merle worked at Bel Acres Golf and Country Club in the 1960s and then became custodian of the Rosser School for more years than we can remember. In the fall of 1989, Merle and Wilfred retired from farm life and moved to Stonewall to become one of the first residents in the new Lions Manor where once again her volunteer spirit led her to be involved in the day-to-day social activities as birthday club and organizing tours for the seniors. Living in suite 104, she was kept busy with the Key to assist when fire alarms went off in varied apartments and in her 80s, Merle was still delivering meals on wheels to her neighbours. She always took the time to visit with the residents at Rosewood Lodge, giving a kind word to everyone. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 16 at 10:00 a.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel in Stonewall. Special thanks to all the staff at the Charleswood Care Centre for their support and compassion as Merle had struggled with Vascular Dementia for the past four years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 or to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation 6 Donald Street Suite 200, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2010