PHYLLIS WINNIFRED JOHNSON

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PHYLLIS WINNIFRED JOHNSON It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Phyllis (Ward/Rasmussen) Johnson of Starbuck, Manitoba on Friday May 5, 2017 at Boundary Trails Health Centre at the age of 93 years. Phyllis was born September 17, 1923 in Stuartburn, Manitoba, first daughter of Reg and Sara (Toews) Ward. There she lived and attended school to grade 11. Her Mother Sara passed away when she was 16. She finished her education living in residence in Teulon Manitoba. After grade 12 she went teaching on a permit and the following year took her normal school training. Phyllis married Clayton Rasmussen, October 30, 1947. They had one son Gary. Clayton died in a motor vehicle accident one year later. She went back to teaching shortly after. Their life was enriched by many "Angels", Friendships of the Cass, Rasmussen and Qually families that would last a lifetime. Phyllis remarried William Johnson on July 1, 1955. They had one son Fred. When Fred entered school Phyllis went back to teaching at Homewood Colony near her new home. Phyllis was teacher and Principal there for the next 25 years until her retirement. Returning yearly for concerts and bringing peanuts for peanut scramble, every year her home being the destination for the Terry Fox Run. She cherished her new Hutterite friends. Phyllis lived in and cared for her home, many hours spent on her lawnmower and gardening, right up until her illness. She leaves to mourn her passing her son Fred (Kim); grandsons, Harley and Justin (Ashley) and great-granddaughter Scarlett. Her son Gary (Barb), grandson Shane (Stacy and her daughter Abby); great-grandchildren, Samantha and great great-granddaughter Rhylynn, Alic, Jesse and Reese and their mother Alaine. Clayton Todd (Jenifer); great-grandchildren, Tyler, Alyssa, Jessica, Cole and Emmalee. Krista (Tony) Staruch; great-grandchildren, Kelly (Brendan), and Tjay. Also left to mourn are Al (Beth) Cass; sister-in-laws, Lorene Ammeter, Georgina Kilt, and Francis Rasmussen. Cousins, Florence McCormack, Eleanor Ward and Larry Ward. Cousins-in-law, Dorothy Mayne, Shirley Ward and Terry Mayne. Phyllis was predeceased by Husband Bill 2011, Great-granddaughter Stephanie Rasmussen; parents, Reg and Sara Ward; only Sibling Rita Ward; fill in mother Exana Wawryshyn Nanny (Cass), "almost brother" John Cass; "almost sister" Kate (Arch) Warren; and very dear friends, Walter and Ruth Rasmussen. As well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Thank-you to Dr. Chatwin and staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre for your support and compassion. Very important to Mom was her Church and community. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church P.O. Box 118, Starbuck, MB R0G 2P0. Funeral Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck, Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 13, 2017