RALPH LEE WHITFIELD

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

RALPH LEE WHITFIELD

Ralph Whitfield, beloved husband, brother, Dad and Papa, passed away on March 4, 2026 at the Souris Personal Care Home with loved ones by his side. Ralph leaves behind his family who love him dearly, and a legacy of community service. Ralph’s life was defined by an unwavering commitment to the progress of Souris and Glenwood, and the well-being of those around him.

Ralph was born in Boissevain to parents Mabel Florence (Wyman) and Joseph Benjamin (Ben) Whitfield on October 8, 1928, followed by brother Sherwin (Hank) Whitfield and sister Arva Fuller. They grew up on a farm south of Boissevain, and walked across the field to the Horton School. Like many, the family farm was lost during The Depression and the family moved to town when Ralph was in Grade Four. His father Benjamin joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders on July 2nd, 1940 and deployed to Europe shortly thereafter. He was injured in Holland and did not return home until December 15, 1945.

During that time Ralph took on many jobs including carrying water and delivering papers. During the war years the family rented a house in Boissevain. Fortunately that house was purchased by Doug Houston, pharmacist, who was moving to town as the new owner of the drugstore. As family legend goes, Doug phoned his wife Ethel and told her that he had bought a house and they were going to be moving in with the renters - the Whitfield family. The Houstons and the Whitfields lived together in that house sharing chores, laughter, meals, music and hope in an otherwise desperate time. Doug Houston also hired Ralph as a custodian, then a stock boy, then a clerk and eventually a pharmacist assistant. Doug was Ralph’s mentor and all the Houstons were lifelong friends. Thank You to the Houston family and their intertwined story in our family’s legacy.

Ralph was accepted into the University of Manitoba Pharmacy program in 1948, choosing this path over an invitation to Eddie Shore’s hockey training camp in Saskatoon. He worked for Houston’s Drugs every summer and at Ringer’s Drugs and The Bay drugstore during university. In 1952 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, working for a time with Doug Houston once again, and then with CIBA Pharmaceuticals. While travelling for CIBA, he came across the beautiful town of Souris, and thought settling there seemed promising. He asked J.G. Hatch if he would consider selling his business, and to his surprise the answer was yes. In 1956 Ralph bought Hatch’s Drugstore and opened Whitfield Drugs.

In 1959 Ralph met the love of his life, Averill Iliffe who was a new teacher at the Souris consolidated high school. Averill and Ralph married in 1960 and celebrated 62 years together as best friends and partners in life, business, and community service. They welcomed four children, Pam, Chris, Daphne and Rod.

A trip to Whitfield’s was always a fun experience with Ralph behind the counter. You were greeted with a friendly smile and by your first name (or a nickname that he made up for you), along with a witty comment in hopes of getting a laugh. His memory for names and his sense of humour knew no bounds. He loved connecting with people and providing accessible healthcare and exceptional customer service, leading by example for all of his staff. For many years the store was open 9am-8pm, Ralph was on call 24/7, and he frequently made personal deliveries.

He formed Crescent Enterprises in 1963 with Dr. A.M. Grant and Dr. L.W. Knight to build the Souris Medical Centre and the new drugstore at the heart of Crescent Avenue, to bring doctors, dentists, and optometrists together under one roof. He was also a driving force behind the South West Drug Group, helping 15 independent rural pharmacists achieve volume discounts through bulk purchasing to lower medication costs for their communities. Ralph also provided placements for dozens of pharmacy students and hired scores of employees that he regarded as family.

Working with other local visionaries, Ralph was involved in the development of Victoria Park, the construction of Victoria Park Lodge, the lobby for a new hospital, established a new housing area south of the fairgrounds and personally built two homes there to start the development. He was actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce, chaired the Souris Downtown Restoration Project - personally planting trees and donating prime downtown property (now the town parking lot behind PHARMASAVE) to ensure the project's success. Ralph was one of five investors who formed Souris Community Builders Ltd to offer non-government financial assistance and attract new businesses to town, most notably the Superior Cheese Plant, Keen Enterprises, and Souris Plastics.

Ralph served on the boards of the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association and the Manitoba Society of Pharmacists. He was awarded the prestigious Robins Bowl of Hygeia in 1979 for outstanding community service by a pharmacist, and the Manitoba Pharmacists Association Award of Merit in 2005. He was included in the 2000 Edition, International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs.

In 1969, Ralph purchased land outside of Souris and established Woodsong Farms Ltd., Ralph Whitfield & Sons. Over the decades, he built it into one of Canada’s largest producers of fullblood Simmental cattle, expanding the herd to over 700 head. Ralph was a pioneer in breeding planned genetics for lean, healthy beef. His expertise took him around the world; he judged cattle in Canada, Colombia, and Brazil, and exported premium genetics to countries including Mexico, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, China, and Brazil. He served as President of the Canadian Simmental Association and was honoured with the A.O. (Dolphe) Henuset Memorial Award for Distinguished Service in 1999. Ralph was inducted into the Canadian Simmental Hall of Fame in 2020. Woodsong was the scene of many epic spring and fall cattle sales over the years, and his ads on local TV and radio are fondly remembered. Many lifelong and multi-generational friendships were forged during the Woodsong years, that are treasured to this day.

Ralph was a multi-sport athlete: hockey, baseball, curling, golf, downhill skiing, and his signature swimming stroke - the dog paddle. He volunteered his time to coach and manage hockey and baseball teams before and after having children. We have many happy memories of Dad playing with us on the sand beach at the river, pulling us behind the boat, waterski-ing with his cigar in his mouth, tobogganing in the back yard and pulling us back up the hill again, riding horses at the farm, and of course working alongside him either at the store or the farm, or in the yard at home. Once he became Papa, he enjoyed watching and supporting his grandchildren in all their sports and activities. His grandchildren have fond memories of playing catch in the yard, swimming in the pool, zipping up and down the river behind the boat, lacing up the skates and even going down the Minnedosa ski hill with him - when he was well into his 80s! He always had a sense of adventure and playful spirit, especially when it came to his grandchildren.

Ralph and Averill sold Whitfield Drugs to their son Chris in 2005. After a collision with an unmarked train that was stopped across the road to the farm early one foggy morning, when Ralph was on his way to check cows in January 2006, and following months of intense rehab guided by Averill, Woodsong held a herd dispersal sale in 2006 and the machinery and land were sold in 2007. Ralph and Averill eventually settled into retirement. Ralph volunteered as a greeter and all-around helper with Averill for the Souris and District Heritage Club and The Plum Heritage Church Museum. They thoroughly enjoyed meeting friends old and new, and welcomed many visitors to their home. Ralph and Averill enjoyed a trip with granddaughter Caleigh to visit family in the UK in 2008, and some winters in Florida and Victoria.

They were devastated by the untimely death of their son Chris in December 2008. They endeavoured to spend more time with friends, relatives, and their grandchildren, visiting Reese and Ben in Alberta, Spencer and Carissa in Beausejour, and attending the activities of Caleigh, Brynna and Seth. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010 with many friends and family, and their 60th during COVID with Pam. They were thrilled to welcome great grandchild Evelyne Pambrun in 2014. Ralph met great granddaughter Romy, born December 1, 2025 in Australia, via FaceTime.

Ralph has been a member of Doric Masonic Lodge, Glenwood Masonic Lodge, and is a Shriner of the Khartum Temple. He received his 70 Year pin from Doric Masonic Lodge in 2024. Ralph endeavoured to live by the Masonic values throughout his life, and the fellowship of the Doric Lodge members was important to him, especially in later years.

Ralph and Averill were determined to stay in and enjoy their beautiful home on the river, which they did with lots of family and community support until January 2017, when they were fortunate to be able to move into the Souris Personal Care Home together. Ralph and Averill were very happy there. Averill died December 15, 2022 and Ralph missed her every day. Ralph enjoyed many outings, and he also appreciated and enjoyed all the staff, volunteers, residents and visitors at his new home. The family is eternally grateful for the excellent care and dedication to Dad by all the staff, and all who brightened his days. Thank you to the nurses and Dr. David Cram, who guided us through some concerning times over the years, and on Dad’s final journey. Thank you to Dexter and Val Kowalchuk for your kind and professional guidance, and to the Souris United Anglican Shared Ministry for welcoming us today.

Ralph is reunited with Averill and son Chris. Ralph is survived by children, Pam Whitfield, Daphne Schmidt (Grant) and Rod Whitfield (Melissa).

Ralph and Averill have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Caleigh (Walker) Pambrun (Gabriel, with children Evelyne, Kadin and JS), Brynna Walker (Harry Curtin with daughter Romy), Seth Walker; Spencer Schmidt and Carissa Schmidt; Reese Whitfield and Benjamin Whitfield.

With gratitude and love to all on behalf of Ralph, from Pam, Rod, Daphne and our family.

A funeral service to celebrate Ralph’s life will be held at St. Paul’s United Church Souris, Manitoba on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Private interment in the Souris-Glenwood Cemetery. In memory of Ralph donations may be made to the Souris-Glenwood Foundation Box 518 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.

Tributes: www.kowalchuks.net

As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 12, 2026