DAVID EARLE TRAVERSE (DAVE)

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DAVID EARLE TRAVERSE (DAVE) May 19, 1946 - July 30, 2001 With his family and loved ones by his side, David Earle Traverse of Lake St. Martin First Nation passed away peacefully on Monday, July 30, 2001 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, MB. Dave was 55 years of age. Dave will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Mary Elizabeth Traverse; son Vernon (Sally) Traverse of Little Saskatchewan; daughters, Karen (Larry) Laquette of Lake St. Martin, Tracy (Jim) Kudding of Winnipeg; his baby Sophie Traverse of Winnipeg; sisters, Violet (Russell) Ross of Lake St. Martin and Lorraine (Warner) Thuringer of Winnipeg; brother Maurice (Mary) Traverse of Winnipeg; special niece, whom he shared many jokes with, Winnie (Norman) Traverse of Lake St. Martin; special nephews, Clarence Morse, Alex Morse, Robert Morse, and Matthew Traverse; brothers-in-law, Raymond Marsden, John Moneyas, Arnold Ballantyne, George Beardy, and Edwin Sinclair; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Moneyas, Caroline Marsden, Marlene Ballantyne, Lydia Beardy, Lorraine and Myrtle Marsden; special sister-in-law Joyce Traverse of South Indian Lake Manitoba; grandchildren, Samantha, Sherry, Angie, Jordie, Chad, Chase, and Faith; special grandson whom he called "Boss" Sonny Laquette; and special granddaughter Kara-Leigh whose birth he anxiously awaited; close friends, Mildred Sumner and her daughter Crystal (Brandi) and daughter Janine Sumner of Lake St. Martin; also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Dave was predeceased by his mother Emma Traverse in 1972; father Robert Traverse in 1981; his mother-in-law Eva Marsden in 1994; brothers, George Traverse in 1969, Alex Traverse in 1955; sisters, Flora Woodhouse in 2000, Bertha Sinclair in 1998, Alice Morse in 1977, Maria Traverse in 1950; nephews, Leonard Ross in 1979, John Ross in 1980, James Morse in 1980, Theodore Traverse in 1973; special nephew Richard Oswald Traverse in 1978; niece Mary Ross in 1980; granddaughter Lacey Joy Laquette on April 16, 1986; grandson Ryan Traverse; and brother-in-law Gary Marsden in 1993. Dave was born and raised in Lake St. Martin First Nation where he spent most of his life. He received his education in Winnipeg before getting married in 1966. Dave was a farmer and fisherman by trade but that didnt stop him from acquiring skills in certified carpentry, medical service delivery, protection and security services, administrative and executive services. He loved the outdoors, hunting, camping, and picking rice. Dave served as Chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation for 14 years, as Band Constable for four years, as technician for Interlake Reserves Tribal Council for five years, which included a period as Executive Director, as part of the medical team at the Health Sciences Centre for three years, as technician for Manitoba Hydro for two years, more recently at the Anishinaabe Mino-Ayawin in Winnipeg. He volunteered his time to numerous technical committees and worthwhile activities such as organizing sports day events and even participating in a local baseball team in the early years. Dave donated to the Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern. Dave was known to be compassionate and considerate at times of crisis in his community and as senior director, reliable and supportive towards his colleagues and staff. Most of all, he will be remembered for the unwavering support he showed towards local church activities. Dave believed there was a Saviour and was baptized on the shores of Lake St. Martin in 1984. A wake service will be held at the Lake St. Martin Faith Chapel on Thursday, August 2 and Friday, August 3 beginning at 7:00 p.m. nightly. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lake St. Martin Faith Chapel, with interment to follow in the Lake St. Martin Reserve Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Norman Traverse Sr., Robert Morse, Kenneth Walker, John Moneyas, Clarence More, and Emery Marsden. Crossbearer will be Sonny Laquette. Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Traverse, Norman Traverse Jr., Adrian Sinclair, David Ross, Alex Morse, Alvin Ross, Alvin Morse, Hector Sinclair, Brian Ross, Clarence Ross, Michael J. Ross, Maurice Traverse Jr., Melvin Traverse, Bruce Traverse, Eugene Sinclair, Norman Sinclair, Melvin Sinclair, George Sinclair, and Willie Sinclair. Romans 8:18, 38, 39 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus Our Lord." The family would like to thank the staff and medical team at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, also the Lake St. Martin Health Centre, Chief and Council of Lake St. Martin and Little Saskatchewan First Nation for their care and support for Dave during his time of illness. God bless you all. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. ASHERN - LUNDAR 204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2001