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VERA ELIZABETH DION (JOHNSON)
Born: May 31, 1932
Date of Passing: Apr 12, 2019
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
VERA ELIZABETH DION
(nee JOHNSON)
May 31, 1932 - April 12, 2019
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Linda, Michelle, Kelly and Nola, her grandchildren, Ian, Desni, Aron and Carman Bell and Oliva Ward. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Memphis, Kashis,
Maddox and Zetta Raven, Elias Dubois and numerous nephews and nieces.
Vera was predeceased by her husband
Lionel of 64 years in 2014, her children, Desney and Shirley, her mother Edith (Stenlund) and father John Arthur Johnson, her siblings, Gunnar, Lily, Gordon and John Arthur.
Vera was born in Winnipeg on May 31, 1932 to Swedish pioneers. Her first few years were spent in Chatfield, MB. The family then moved to Starratt-Olson in the Red Lake gold mining district of Ontario.
Vera met Lionel Dion at a dance in Madsen, ON. They married on March 15, 1950. All six children were born in the Red Lake area. Mom liked to cook and always had a garden. Her blueberry pies and Swedish thinbread were delicious and enjoyed by all. While in Red Lake mom belonged to the Kinettes and would be in charge of making and selling
candy floss at the annual Red Lake Fair.
As dad was a diamond drill contractor the family moved to Flin Flon, MB, as more
opportunities existed in Manitoba at that time. In 1970 mom and dad purchased
Johnny's Confectionery in Flin Flon, a busy variety store that was known for selling
"Everything from A - Z". Most of the family worked in the store.
1976 saw the family relocate to the Selkirk area. Mom and dad built a house on
Henderson Hwy. and purchased the Selkirk Lucky Dollar Food Store.
Vera and Lionel loved to dance and looked forward to dances at the Selkirk Legion. Both golfed and curled and Vera played bridge in her earlier days. Mom and dad travelled
extensively to Barbados, Mexico, Fiji,
Malaysia, California and Venezuela. Vera lived a full life and will be missed by her
family and all who knew her.
The family would like to thank the staff at Betel Home in Selkirk for the wonderful care they provided to our mom. Thank you to Gilbart Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at the Notre Dame Church Columbarium just South of Selkirk on Highway 9 on Tuesday,
September 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Selkirk and District Community
Foundation.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 07, 2019
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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To Vera's Family, I was saddened to hear of your dear mother's passing. I will always remember that big smile of hers & her love for life. I know you all will have many wonderful memories of your time together. I'm sure your Mom & Dad are doing a polka together in heaven & are so happy to be reunited. Sincerely, Darlene - Posted by: Darlene (Parker) Smith (Family Friend formerly from Madsen, Ontario) on: Sep 10, 2019
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I will always remember living next door to the Dion family in the tiny hamlet of Starret Olsen near Red Lake, Ontario. Vera was kept very busy with her children, but I remember her always looking so beautiful. She was like a movie star to me. The Dion girls were my playmates and Vera and my mother Olive Lundstrom both named their daughters Linda. We had so much fun together and Vera and my Mom were often in the centre of it. Fond memories. - Posted by: Linda Lundstrom (Friend of Linda Dion, neighbors to the Dion family in Starret Olsen) on: Sep 08, 2019
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Growing up in Starratt-Olsen, the Dion family was our neighbour. Vera was always so bubbly and joyous and so very pretty! Loved her laugh! She was the life of the party, always dancing & singing yet she didn't drink a drop of alcohol. I never had a piece of her blueberry pie but no doubt it was delish! We often thought of Vera & Lionel as 'Barbie and Ken' so good looking together. Sincere sympathy at a time when worlds fall short. Take care and enjoy all the wonderful memories of your dear Mother & Grandmother Vera. - Posted by: Chrissie (Lundstrom) Beaulieu (family friend) on: Sep 08, 2019
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Vera was such a joy and inspiration to be with in those precious days at Starratt Olson that I will always remember. Her twinkle inner eye, dance in her step and fun giggle will always be with us. Love to all her family, Sonja Lundström - Posted by: Sonja Lundström (friend) on: Sep 08, 2019
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So sorry to hear of Vera's passing. She was a lovely woman. We were friends of her and Lionel when we lived in Red Lake in the 60's, and ran into them at the Selkirk golf course when we lived in Gimli. Please accept our sincere condolences. We have a lot of fond memories of both of them. Bob and Darlene Kortz - Posted by: Robert and Darlene Kortz (Friends) on: Sep 07, 2019