LAURENT (LORNE) JOSEPH BALLEGEER

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LAURENT (LORNE) JOSEPH BALLEGEER April 17, 1929 - May 8, 2010 After a valiant struggle, Lorne Joseph Ballegeer passed peacefully back to his Maker on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at East Gate Lodge, Beausejour, MB. God in His Infinite Mercy relieved him of the burden of vascular dementia and its life stealing effects. Lorne was embraced by God with the love and prayers of his family surrounding him. Lorne was so dearly loved and will be so very sadly missed. The family thanks God for his Mercy. At last Lorne is free and whole again, joining his beloved family that has gone on before. In God's time we will join him. A most heartfelt thanks to Dr. Van Rensburg and everyone at East Gate Lodge, Rose Unit, for their wonderful care to Lorne and the special caring given to the family. Lorne was born April 17, 1929, the eldest child of a family of six born to Omer and Irma (Van Deynze) Ballegeer. He was born in the family farm home at Swan Lake, MB. The family was Lorne (1929 to 2010), Remi (1930 to 2000), Arsene (1932 -) Annette (1934 to 1990), Lorette (1938 to 1941), and Leon (1941 -). Lorne attended Lake View School at Swan Lake, completing Grade 8 with the same four classmates. He kept in touch with his classmate Leon Beernaerts over the many years. In 1941, the family moved to Mariapolis, MB and Lorne took Grade 9 at Mariapolis School. In the spring of 1942, his Dad asked him if he'd like to stay home and help with the seeding. He never went back to school. A decision he regretted in later years, however life is its own educator. In 1946, the family moved to Dugald, MB where they successfully farmed, first as a family farm and then each son on their own farm. Lorne always felt proud that he and his brothers were able to help each other out, when needed, all their farming careers. Lorne's story always was that he looked across the dance hall and saw the girl he wanted to marry, Audrey May Wright. They were married on August 16, 1952. They were so blessed to celebrate 57 plus years of being faithfully married and the privilege of being each other's best friend. Lorne and Audrey had a family of seven children. Lorne was very proud of each of his children and equally proud of the partners they chose. Joanne (Douglas McDermot), Marilyn (Henry Van Dorp), David (Sharon Sedo), Richard (Shirley Stelmaschuk), Debora (Kenneth Unick), Kathleen (Edwin Babisky), and James; grandchildren Glenn (Michelle), Faye (Graham), Brian (Melanie), Leigh (John), Michael (Adarian), Amanda (Derek), Keith (Tanya), Amie (Sean), Christopher (Pamela), Neil, Alan (Leanne), and Mark; great-grandchildren Brianna, Dylan, Parker, Isabella, Nathan, Sheldon, Megan, Callie, and Graham. Lorne chose farming as his career. When he and Audrey married, they farmed in the Glass, MB area. It was here they raised their family and ran a mid-sized dairy farm. There were many happy memories of family vacations taken between milkings. Lorne loved the land and felt the need to give good stewardship to it. He often questioned the wisdom of some of today's farming methods and the quality of stewardship provided. Lorne and Audrey officially retired and moved to Garson, MB in 2003. In 2007, they moved to Beausejour. MB. Lorne entered East Gate Lodge on June 15, 2009. Lorne's faith in God was sure, he lived it in an ordinary way by his service to others and especially family. He was generous in his support to his aged parents and parents-in-law. His Audrey and their family were especially loved. The family treasured memories of Lorne and Audrey and their Saturday night dancing in the kitchen to polka music. He helped to establish the St. Pius X Mission Church in Glass in 1957, which became part of Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church at Anola, MB in 1995, serving as Trustee for many years and on the Building Committee. He was a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. Lorne and Audrey served on the fund-raising Bingo team for 12 years to help establish the Cook's Creek Community Centre. He served for six years on the A.C.L. Beausejour Branch, board of directors. Lorne was a home-body; he loved his home and family. Family gatherings were always special. He enjoyed visiting, playing cards (Bein) and Belgian bowling. He loved to read. He wasn't a great traveler but liked short weekend excursions. Flying was not one of his most enjoyed modes of transportations. Lorne was predeceased by his parents Omer (2004) and Irma (1999); his parents-in-law Howard (2004) and Violet (2000) Wright; brother Remi; sisters Annette and Lorette; brother-in-law Art Beerko; and two infant grandchildren Michael Babisky and Richard Ballegeer Jr. He is survived by his dearest wife Audrey, his seven children and their spouses; 12 grandchildren and spouses; nine great-grandchildren; his brothers Arsene and Dorothy Ballegeer and Leon and Lesley Ballegeer; his in-laws Ruth Banman, George and Lorraine Wright and Clifford and Shirley Thorgilsson; former sisters-in-law Peggy Jensen and Kitty Wright; two god-daughters Karen Granger and Sharron Park; Aunts Zoe Huckle, Rosella Grift, Florence Lippens, Alice Van Deynze and Gertie Van Deynze; several generations of nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Rose Unit, c/o East Gate Lodge, Box 1690 Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0 or to a charity of your choice. The best gift anyone can offer is when someone you love develops dementia of any sort and need more help than family can give, is to visit them, talk to them. Yes it appears they are not aware but not one of us really knows deep down what anyone feels or understands. It is by the grace of God that it is not us so afflicted. Lorne's grandson Alan really said it best when told Grandpa may not know him. Alan said that doesn't matter, I know Grandpa. Celebration of Lorne's life will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Beausejour (Church is on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Third Street, South of Park Avenue.) Father Owen Steeves, celebrant, and Father Charles Fillion assisting. LAURENT (LORNE) JOSEPH BALLEGEER Interment in St. Mary Cemetery, followed by lunch at Brokenhead Community Centre on James Avenue, Beausejour, MB. Friends may pay their respects from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy. Rest in peace, our dearest Lorne. In God's time we will meet again. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery 1 Green Acres Lane, Springfield (204) 222-3241 Hwy #1 East inside the Perimeter at Winnipeg Condolences may be sent to: www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2010