ALMA WINNIFRED

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ALMA WINNIFRED McDONALD Alma McDonald was born in Clanwilliam, MB, on March 8, 1914, to John and Charlotte Dow. She grew up in Bethany, MB, where her father was the postmaster until he passed on. Charlotte took over the postmasters job after John died. Alma attended school in Bethany. She moved to Minnedosa where she was a live-in housekeeper for the Asper family. She then got a job at the Dominion Cafe. It was while waitressing at the Dominion Cafe that she met her future husband Johnny McDonald. They had a small wedding on November 4, 1939, at the Minnedosa United Church. In 1941 they moved to Flin Flon where they lived for 40 years. During this time they had two boys, Jack and Bill. After Johnny suffered a stroke in 1981, their youngest son convinced them to move into Townview Manor in Minnedosa, where they lived until Johnnys death in 1985. Alma continued to live in the highrise until she entered the Minnedosa Hospital in August of 2001, where she remained until her death on December 1, 2001. Alma was predeceased by her husband John K. McDonald; her mother and father, John R. and Charlotte Dow; also her sisters, Mildred Attwood and Melles Vann; two brothers, Campbell and Roy Dow; brothers-in-law, Bill Attwood, Bill Vann, Earl Ritchie, Lloyd McTavish, Don, Bill and Dave McDonald; and sisters-in-law, Mary, Wilda and Maisie McDonald. She is survived by her two sons, Jack (Bertha) McDonald and Bill (Jan) McDonald; grandchildren, Dorothy (Randy) Bunzeluk, Robert McDonald, Brent (Kim) McDonald, Celeste McDonald, Rick Johnson and Garth McDonald; two great-grandchildren, Blake and Brady McDonald; one brother Norman (Grace) Dow; and sisters, Blanche Ritchie, Bernice McTavish and Jean (George) McLean; sisters-in-law, Amanda and Betty Dow; as well as a large number of nieces and nephews. Funeral service for Alma was held Tuesday, December 4 at 2:00 p.m. from Sparrow Funeral Chapel with Rev. Shawn Ankenmann officiating. Interment followed in the Minnedosa Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert McDonald, Randy McDonald, Roy McTavish, Brent McDonald, Terry Ritchie, Rick Johnson, Jack McDonald and Bill McDonald. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Minnedosa & District Health Foundation or the Minnedosa United Church. Sparrow Funeral Service of Minnedosa in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 11, 2001