DONALD LEO JOSEPH HARPER

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DONALD LEO JOSEPH HARPER April 15, 1912 - January 21, 2002 Surrounded by his loving family, Donald passed on peacefully at the Fisher Personal Care Home, Fisher Branch, MB, after a long and valiant struggle with COPD. Left to mourn his passing are sons, John (Iris) and Gilbert (Sharon) Harper and Dennis Cameron; daughters, Vivian Lewko, Irene De Lege, Myrna (Walter) Korbutiak and Kay and Millie Harper; 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; one brother, Douglas MacKenzie of Manigotogan, MB. Donald was born in St. Peters, MB and adopted by John and Harriet Harper. The family moved to Peguis around 1917. He attended school in Peguis as well as Residential School in Elkhorn, MB. As a young man he worked for farmers during the harvest season, travelling by train to the location. In 1935, he married Hazel Cummings, also of Peguis. In June of 1942 he moved his family to a quarter section of land that he purchased in the Lee Lake District, east of Hodgson, MB. He immediately began picking stones and brush-cutting for neighbours while Hazel did all she could to get farming started. Over the years he milked cows, sold cream, dug seneca root, cut and hauled cordwood and occasionally worked for neighbours. It was a set-back when Hazel died in 1948 and the responsibility of raising the children became solely his. His children cherish him for his endurance. While valuing his own land, it was the bush from which he felled countless cords of wood, that Donald truly appreciated. Despite the hardship it involved, times of being alone in the bush, with his trusty horses, gave him great contentment. But he was also a people person who enjoyed interacting with others. People valued his sharp wit, his good nature and forgiving spirit. In 1990, Donald moved into the Early Settlers Lodge in Hodgson where he enjoyed the company of many good friends. In August of 1999 he entered the Fisher Personal Care Home in Fisher Branch where he was lovingly cared for until his passing. Donalds family will be forever grateful to many friends and neighbours, residents of the Early Settlers Lodge, Home Care workers and the medical staff of Percy E. Moore Hospital in Hodgson who supported him during these past several years. Special thanks for the loving care and attention he received from the staff at the Fisher Personal Care Home. Should friends so desire, memorial donations could be made to the Handi Van fund, c/o the Fisher Personal Care Home. A prayer service will be held on Friday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 2:00 p.m. Both services from St. Philips Anglican Church, Hodgson, officiated by Rev. Barry Bear and Pat Ferris. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fisher Funeral Home in Fisher Branch. (204) 372-6271

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 25, 2002