VIRGINIA CHRISTINA MCKINNON (CHRISTENSEN)

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VIRGINIA CHRISTINA MCKINNON (nee CHRISTENSEN) June 17, 1927 June 15, 2011 Virgie was born in East Bay to Carl and Mildred (Middleton) Christensen, the second of six children. She attended Blue Bell School and learned to work hard on the farm. She enjoyed riding horseback to visit her grandparents, attending local picnics and escaping to quiet spots to read. At the age of 15, Virgie attended Manitoba Commercial College and worked in a boarding house to pay board and room. She worked in the offices for Eaton's in Winnipeg and Dauphin until her marriage to Donald on December 15, 1945. They lived in Rorketon and then moved to the Christensen family farm until 1953 when they purchased their own farm. In 1956, the family moved to Terrace, BC where she worked in a local corner store, then Sears and finally as assistant to the hospital administrator. Later they returned to the farm and most of her energy became focused on her children and extended family. Nieces and nephews have many happy memories spent at the farm. Virgie cared for her father for a few years and later looked after her mother-in-law for several months. After her children left home, she went to work at the Talpash General Store and later began to work at the Ste. Rose Hospital, first as ward clerk and eventually as head of medical records. Throughout her life Virgie enjoyed reading and discussing a wife variety of topics. She enjoyed having her ideas challenged and loved to research to get to the truth. In spite of a series of illnesses Virgie remained strong and independent. After one week in hospital, she passed away in her sleep on June 15. Virgie was predeceased by her parents Carl and Mildred Christensen, granddaughter Kelly Rae Jaremy, sister Marjorie McLean, brother Kenneth Christensen, and brothers-in-law Edward McLean and Einar Smerdal. She leaves to mourn her passing; her husband Donald, daughter Donna (Ron) Jaremy, son Karl (Dianne) McKinnon, grandchildren Shannon (Mel) Jaremy-Harder, Ian (Carrie Selin) McKinnon, Kris (Sarah Stevenson) McKinnon and Leigh McKinnon, her step-great-grand-children Nick (Kat) Harder and Josh Harder, her sister Lucille (Alma) Smerdal, her brother Lloyd (Myrtle) Christensen, her sister Barb (Kent) Jacobsen as well as numerous family members and friends. Funeral Service was held on Saturday, June 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services, Ste. Rose Chapel. Rev. Ed and Rev. Georgina Loucks officiated with the service concluding at the chapel. Interment to follow at a later date. Should friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services, Ste. Rose Chapel in care of arrangements, (204) 447-2444, www.sneathstrilchuk.com.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2011