Lane COULTER

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COULTER: Lane Coulter. Without warning or good bye, Lane Lesley Edward Coulter, 14 of the RM of Wallace died in a motor vehicle dirt bike accident on Highway 257 the evening of 16 May 2012. Lane was born in Brandon, Manitoba on 31 August 1997, a large presence from the beginning weighing in at 9 lbs 6 3/4 oz, the first born son of Les and Cathy Coulter. Lane was a contented baby. As long as he was in motion he was happy. Arriving a nighthawk and continuing to come alive at night throughout his years. Born with a deep sense of adventure, a mischievous grin, twinkling blue eyes that belied of the trouble he was about to get into and a strong stubborn streak to match the previous generation. Sister Erin joined the family in 1999 and the two became inseparable. Lane loved having a sibling, a partner for all his adventures especially to tease and steal her Halloween candy, but mostly to enjoy everyday together. February 2000, Lane had emergency surgery to reduce the size of a massive cyst on the left side of his brain. His smile persisted through all the tests, scans and monitoring. After a 6 week stay in Children’s Hospital at Health Sciences Centre, he was able to return home a strong boy just 2 years old. A boy that was drawn to mud puddles like a magnet, catching snakes, frogs, salamanders and anything slippery and slimy. He loved snakes, examining them up-close and fascinated by their uniqueness. Not sure what was more fun for Lane the snakes or the reactions he got when surprising the unsuspecting person who feared them!! Climbing trees and building forts was fabulous outdoor fun no matter the season. Lane was as natural as a fish in the water, never afraid of lake, pool or anything wet. Animals were a part of daily life, wildlife, pets and of course the dog. Lane and the dog were together always, no matter the weather. Lane attended Virden Nursery School, his class the first group to operate at Mary Montgomery School. He completed Kindergarten to Grade 4 at MMS. A protective big brother when Erin joined him on the school bus. Learning required at lot of writing and sitting, and Lane’s self-proclaimed favorite subject was “Recess”. Lane received the Chad Heaman Memorial Award while at MMS. Sister Tess joined the family in 2007, Lane was a proud big brother, showing off his baby sister. As Lane progressed through Virden Junior High and later Virden Collegiate, school wasn’t his favorite place to be. The bullying Lane endured while in school further solidified his distaste for the learning environment. Lane persisted with strength and courage everyday and didn’t let the bullies get him down. Thanks to fantastic and caring friends his school day included laughter and fun. Laughter brought his friends closer and reduced the drudgery. He continued to smile that wide beaming grin, even when facing challenges. Lane was a technology whiz, known for pushing limits, used his IT knowledge to hack the school server. His teacher was right, he could have taught IT classes!! He was the IT guy at home too. Lane was amused at how ‘technologically illiterate’ the older generation was, he would fix or restore a phone or computer in a few seconds. VCI offered opportunities to expand his woodworking and mechanical skills, which he quickly adapted to his latest ride. Dad and Lane logged thousands of miles together during the summer months in the semi together. Lane knew where every truck terminal was from Winnipeg to Thompson, Thunder Bay, Prince Albert and Regina. Those were treasured times, staying up late, sleeping in the bunk, getting to skip school to spend time with Dad. Sharing his love through teasing, making sisters laugh when they were mad, practical jokes and of course jumping out from some mysterious place preferably in the dark, hoping to scare Mum! Always looking for a way to make someone laugh, he had a keen sense of humor. Family was very important to Lane, a priceless connection to where he came from and promise for his future. Family meant rules, customs and sometimes cramped his freestyle, but he loved with an extraordinarily big heart, openly sharing his love with hugs and showing his pride at belonging to two large families. Like any strong willed kid he enjoyed testing patience and pushing boundaries, making him so strong and courageous, able to face each day smiling without fear. Amazing, energetic and full of piss and vinegar. Lane joined Cadets one week after his 12th birthday wanting to join since he was 8, it had been a long wait!! Lane had found his niche!! Cadets paralleled all the outdoor ventures that gave Lane his zeal for life and enhanced his spirit. Lane loved the Cadet Corp. the camping weekends, marksmanship, survivor skills, camaraderie and the military elements of working as a unit, discipline, the uniform, spit polished shining boots and the marching. Camouflage was Lane’s favorite outfit, donning his Ghillie suits one for each season. Events for Cadets at Shilo Base were especially enjoyed. His patriotic heart came alive when at the base solidifying his desire to later join the military. Lane jumped at the opportunity to participate in Cadet Camps in Vernon, BC and Whitehorse, Yukon coming home with memories of an unique experience. Lane took the gold medal in The Shoes and Spears Biathlon, held at The Fort Whyte Centre a competition with snow shoes and atl-atls. Lane received the Top Green Star award his first year in Cadets and The Most Participation Award in his second year. Lane had distinguished marksmanship during his Cadet years and achieved the rank of Master Corporal. Lane was quite the chef making anything from chocolate cookies, homemade jam to chicken wings. His famous Grilled Cheese, sweet potato fries, taco layered dip and fried garlic shrimp. Cooking up a batch of something for a snack before bed. Cleaning up not as appealing as creating, but could empty the dishwasher in 55 seconds if necessary!! Lane had a sweet tooth and he came by that honestly. His favorite birthday cake was Chocolate Cappuccino Cake. At home there was always a “Chocolate Stash” which was some form of chocolate candy hidden to slow consumption. The hiding places were always changing and at times the hiding spots were so good it couldn’t be found but Lane had radar on chocolate. In later years Lane would find the “stash” and never tell anyone savouring each bite with a grin!! When Lane was in motion he was happiest. His grin the widest and brightest. From the time Lane become a mobile toddler, he was always riding or driving something with wheels. His first experience with driving came when he was 3 years old, one morning he loaded his little sister Erin and the dog into the cab of the black truck and jumped in himself, started it, after waiting for the diesel glow plugs and put it in reverse!! Stopped when he backed into the picnic table, Dad and Mum came on the dead run to find laughing giggling kids!! Lane had planned on driving Erin around the yard!! Bikes, skateboards, sleds and gocarts, soon gave way to dune buggy, tractors, snowmobiles and dirt bikes, if it had wheels or track and an engine Lane was in his element! The first snowfall was a delightful time, the snowmobile would zip through the yard, Lane’s cheeks glowing bright red and a grin a mile wide topped with sparkling blue eyes, later overflowing with stories of his rides. Motion, speed, and the outdoors!!! Jacking up his latest ride, modifying it to go faster, anything to expedite his travels he was all over it. Lane loved to be on the move. Challenges that impeded Lane’s motion, he allowed creativity full reign. Lane died doing what made him most happy, loving the wide open spaces of nature and relishing the freedom of being in motion. Lane is eternally loved and remembered, forever cherished by Dad and Mum Les and Cathy and sisters Erin and Tess, ‘Farmer Granny’ Audrey Hodgins and ‘Bingo Granny’ Mickey Coulter, Aunts and Uncles: Lorna Hodgins, Leslee Hodgins & Bryan Wood, Ed & Debra Hodgins, Marty Hodgins, Ted & Norma Coulter, Kelly & Gerry Coulter, Lynn & Marie Coulter, Sam Coulter, Shelley & Donnie Sparks, John & Janice Coulter and numerous cousins. Lane’s life celebration was Friday 25 May 2012 at 1pm in the Virden Recreation Complex Virden, Manitoba. Members of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons formed the Guard of Honour. Pastor Jason Hodson and Father Don Bernhardt officiated. G. R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements. Burial in Virden Cemetery. Lane was greeted in Heaven by big sister Hope, brothers Will and Shay, Grandpa Ed Hodgins, Grandad Dave Coulter, Uncle Bob Coulter, Uncle Sandy Coulter, Cousins: James Fontana, Bill Coulter, Chad Coulter and many relatives and friends.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 31, 2013