Mildred HEPNER

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HEPNER: After a courageous battle with cancer, Mildred Elaine Hepner passed away April 25th, 2010. Mildred was born in Antler, Saskatchewan on February 27th, 1942 to the late Ben and Reta Borreson and was the eldest of five children. Mildred received all her schooling in Antler. Throughout her school years, in the winter months, she was an avid figure skater and in the summer was often found leading the parade as a majorette. While attending high school she met and later married Ronnie George Bender in October 1960. They farmed north of Antler for thirteen years and while living there they expanded their family and welcomed three children; Vaughn in 1962, Perry in 1965, and Lisa in 1969. In 1973 Ronnie purchased his father's farm and moved their family to Sinclair, MB. Mildred stayed home raising their children while helping on the farm. Mildred never hesitated to lend a hand making food for community functions like the Antler Sports Day on July 1st or the Antler Fall Supper. She kept very busy selling Tupperware and Avon while enjoying the company of friends. Once the kids left home, she successfully completed her Nurse's Aide course finding employment at the Reston Willowview Personal Care Home. Following Ronnie's untimely death in 1992, she sold the farm and moved to Brandon. She worked for a brief period at Buns Master Bakery, following that she worked as a Nurse's Aide on the 3rd and 4th floors at the Assiniboine Center and later on with We Care. Mildred's love of dancing influenced her to join the Prairie Social Singles club where she met and later married Tom Hepner on May 1st, 1999. Mildred was a very active member of the McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church where sheparticipated in Bible studies and various church events. Tom's love for golf rubbed off on Mildred and she became an avid golfer where she enjoyed countless games with her friends at Deer Ridge and Northern Pines golf course. In the winter months, Mildred and Tom enjoyed 5 pin bowling in a Mixed League and a Seniors League. Mildred's love for crocheting was put to good use by making plastic beach bags out of recycled grocery bags. Mildred loved her eight grandchildren and spent countless hours following her grandchildren's sporting and various school events as well as spending time with each and every one of them. Mildred is predeceased by her parents Ben and Reta Borreson as well as her first husband Ronnie Bender. She is survived by her husband Tom, son Vaughn (Debbie) Kayla, Joel and Colin of Virden, son Perry (Gale) Megan and Paige of Brandon, and daughter Lisa (David) Sean, Cory and Rayna of Winnipeg. Brothers Jim (Pauline) Borreson of Red Deer, Alberta, Wayne (Connie) Borreson of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Reg (Cheryl) Borreson of Calgary, Alberta and Gordon Borreson of Reston, Manitoba as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The Funeral Ceremony will be held at the McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church, 625 McDiarmid Drive on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Dan Pope will officiate. A graveside service will follow at the Antler Cemetery, Antler, Saskatchewan at 2:30 p.m. C.S.T. Active Pallbearers will be: Kelly Branigan, John Branigan, Jack Borreson, Tyler Borreson, Eric Borreson, Norman Dowd. In Mildred's memory donations can be made on her behalf to the Brandon Regional Health Center Foundation for Palliative Care, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3. Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 01, 2010