REV. IVAN GLEN FULFORD

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REV. IVAN GLEN FULFORD
October 26, 1913 - March 14, 2021

Ivan Fulford died peacefully early Sunday morning on March 14 with family by his side, at the age of 107.
He will be missed by special friend Olga Rock; sons, Doug (Velda) and Ken (Lynda); daughters, Pat, Lois (Jim), Betty (Murray), and Dawne (Al); brother Keith (Alfreda) and sister Norma; 24 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grand-children.
He was predeceased by wife Bernice (nee Godin), father Alfred (Doc), mother Tina (nee McLeod), son Gordon, granddaughter Holly, son-in-law Don, great-great-grandson Kale; brothers, Hugh, Jim and Dal; sisters, Freda, Alda and Jean; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Ivan was born in Mather, MB and at the age of 12 moved with his parents to Minitonas, MB. Dad loved to farm and work in the bush cutting and hauling logs to the mill. He married Bernice in 1937 and they farmed until 1954, when with a family of six moved to Oakland, MB where he served as a student minister in the Oakland United Church at Oakland, MB while attending college. Their seventh child arrived while ministering at Oakland. When he got his degree in 1958 he accepted a call to be the United Church minister at Grandview, MB. He also ministered at Wiseton, SK and Pelly, SK.
Dad was known for his ability to reach people in a special way - he assisted his parishioners when help was needed, and especially loved In the midst of his ministerial work to help farmers with the harvest. He was the leader in building a new church in Grandview. In summer holidays the car was loaded down with tenting supplies and family travelled across Canada and into the United States - Mom and Dad loved visiting distant family. When he retired in 1976 he returned to farming at Pelly, where he and mom built a homestead into a ranch.
Family and grandkids loved to visit Revs Rolling Ranch. Dad was a hard working man and grandkids were educated in learning to ride a horse, lasso a cow, drive a tractor, ride a baler. They learned hard work in cutting trees down for firewood and pulling the logs out of the bush with a horse. Grandkids loved him dearly but found out he was not a man to be reckoned with, especially in a game of crib. Dad taught us the value of family, and oh, how he loved a family sing song. He also enjoyed a good debate with whoever would argue. In his mid 70s he and mom took up downhill skiing and joined in family ski trips in the Rockies. Dad loved riding horseback and continued to join on trail rides into his 90s. He loved to dance and was able to until he was 103.
We will remember him sitting in the rocking chair in the big kitchen window looking out down into the valley ... the dances at weekend family get-togethers at Wellman Lake church camp ... the beautiful rendition of "Be present at our table Lord" sang before every meal. And we will remember the crumpled farm hat, the worn coveralls, his chuckles, and his humming a tune while working away.

Dad/Grandpa, your chuckles will be echoed
in our hearts forever. You instilled values
and morals and have left us with memories and love to cherish for a lifetime.
Thank you for the legacy you left us.
Your work is done now - Rest In Peace.

Special thanks to Dad's caregivers at Gateway Lodge for their kindness to Dad, and the excellent care he received. We are truly grateful to all staff there.
Plans are to have a memorial service when things open up in the spring / summer.
In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to:
The Canora Gateway Lodge Auxilliary, Box 1387, Canora, SK SOA OL0 or to a charity of your choice, or pass on a kindness to someone.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 03, 2021