MARGARET IRENE KUMMEN

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MARGARET IRENE KUMMEN Margaret Kummen died on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at her family home in Westwood, after a life chock full of family and friends. She was predeceased by parents Helen and Ted Thompson, and older brother Larry. Margaret is survived by husband Carl, and her greatest treasures - children: Carla (Brian Hodgson), son Grant (Karly Porter) and Marni Daun (Chris), plus six young grandchildren: Annalicia Hodgson, Jackson and Addison Kummen, Livanna, Lacie and Rayna Daun, as well as her stepgranddaughter Morgan Klassen (Derrick), and great-grandchild Rowan. Margaret was born in Winnipeg on June 12, 1948, lived first on Garfield Street, then moved to Westwood, where she remembered helping her dad in the garden, and trudging down her muddy street wearing rubber boots and carrying her shoes to the bus stop on Portage, leaving her boots at the bus stop for the muddy walk back when she returned from the trip downtown. Growing up, her favourite times were getting Larry into trouble, visiting her cousin Tannis Ariano in Sioux Lookout, and chasing the chickens with cousin Judy Oliver on her Gramma and Grampa Olmstead's farm in Carberry. Marg attended Lincoln and Sansome Schools and Westwood Collegiate, where she played basketball as a fierce Westwood Warrior (legendary elbows). When classes dragged, she could look out the window and watch the old farmer lady herd her cows to the river for a drink. Years later, when her children were in her old high school, Marg could visit the same teachers who taught her, to find out how much trouble her kids were causing. After graduation, Margaret worked briefly with the phone company, then went to university to earn a teacher's degree. Marg met Carl in the University of Manitoba coffee shop, and spent their courtship riding about, rain or shine, on a tiny scooter-size Honda motorcycle, which years later their children scoffed that it was no motorcycle - just a 'road toad'. That motorcycle not only toured the local pubs, but Margaret was brave enough to let Carl take her out to West Hawk Lake and to Roland, MB where Marg taught school. Marg and Carl married in 1968, lived in St. Vital, West Kildonan, Charleswood and finally came to live in Westwood, returning to the community she loved. As the children grew, Marg decorated the house with many things she made herself. She learned to paint, make pottery and knit, but above all else she loved to fill her yard with flowers and tend her tomatoes. Her grandchildren loved coming to gramma's house for dinner, play with their cousins or a special sleepover. Morgan would drop in with great-granddaughter Rowan to brighten Marg's day in her last months. Although we spent most weekends and summers at the family cabin in the woods at West Hawk Lake, Margaret preferred tenting and loved camping throughout Manitoba. She took kids and grandkids to Wisconsin Dells, and enjoyed several sunshine vacations in Punta Cana and Mexico, but in 2013, prior to her cancer diagnosis we took a three week cruise with close friends to Italy, Greece and the Greek Isles that was the perfect trip of a lifetime. Marg's best time of year was Christmas. She always hosted Christmas dinner and for many years her children would stay overnight for present opening on Christmas morning, even after they had grown up with homes of their own. She did Christmas shopping early; many gifts she gave had been wrapped and tagged months before, so Marg was often as surprised by her gifts as the ones who opened them on Christmas morning. Marg befriended many people during federal, provincial and civic election campaigns in which she has been involved over many years. She worked without respite for good candidates, and at times would have to be the mother hen and shoo the candidate out of the office and back to knock on doors. Margaret loved to cheer her children and grandchildren and to watch all their hockey, baseball and ringette games. She enjoyed Goldeyes games and the menu at their great ballpark, and was a huge fan of the Winnipeg Jets (especially #33). Cremation and funeral service have taken place. Those who wish may donate to the Children's Wish Foundation or CancerCare Manitoba. Thank you to Rhonda, Leslie, Susan and the great, caring people at CancerCare who came to be a part of Margaret's extended family in recent years.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 24, 2017