(TAK) RONALD JOSEPH SWAN (BEEBEE)

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"TAK" RONALD JOSEPH SWAN (BEEBEE) Blue Sky Man (ooshoshquanakud-Inini) Mukadmukoo-okichidua It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of a dear husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, Godfather and friend, Ronald Joseph Swan known as "Tak" to family and friends. Ronalds gifted traditional name was Blue Sky Man "Oshwa-shkwa-niikwaat-inini". He passed away suddenly on August 1, 2004 at Lake Manitoba Reserve. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Margaret (Peggy) Swan of 28 years; son Ronald Jr.; daughters, Daisy and Jesinta; his special grandsons, Blaze and Camaro; and granddaughter Mercedes. He also leaves to mourn his father Berba; brothers, Clifford (Lorrie), Larry (Glenna), Donald (Rosemarie) sisters, Myra (Archie), Elsie (Leslie), Rose (Mike), Kathleen (Howard) adopted brothers, Dennis (Rachel), Bradley (Joslyn), CIifford Jr. (Rachel) adopted sister Beverly (Bernard) his brothers-in-law, Edwin (Valerie), Charles Wood, Steven (Cheryl) sisters-in-law, Freda (Joe), Marlene (Arthur), Susan (John), Linda (Franklin), Emma and Kim (Ron) special niece whom he considered his sister "Mary Hullah (Robert) special sisters-in-law, Flora, Phyllis, Mary, Dorothy, Terry, and Audrey; special brother-in-law Billy West; his uncles, Wilfred Flett, Lawrence Flett, and Adolph Swan; his aunts, Lucy Choken and Mary Richards; his 55 nieces and nephews whom were all very special to him; his special friends, Dwight Paul, Lawrence Sutherland, Gerry (Jack) Maytwayashing, Roy Maytwayashing, Robert Maytwayashing, Dave Courchene Jr., Oriana Courchene, Vern McWatch, and Basil Goodchild; his special buddy Clifford Rabbitskin in Saskatchewan; two godchildren, Tracy Spence and Tracy Swan. He was predeceased by his mother Margaret; brothers, Raymond, Louis, Wilfred and Alfred; and sister Doreen; grandmothers, Elizabeth Swan and Marie Flett; grandfathers, Louis Swan and Charlie Flett; nephews, Raymond Jr., Robert, Clayton, Carl; nieces, Lisa and Kristen; sister-in-law Lillian Wood; brother-in-law Randy Edwards; and his in-laws, Edwin and Mary Edwards. Tak was born December 26, 1958 in Ashern, MB. He was the youngest of 13 children. He was raised at Lake Manitoba Reserve. He married Peggy on August 26, 1978. Tak lived a very simple and meaningful life. Tak was everybodys friend and he had a genuine love for everyone. Tak was a very hard working dedicated man. He worked tirelessly to support and help his family. He felt the most content when he was busy. He worked in the farming industry. He was a good fisherman, carpenter, and he sat on various committees in the community. Most important, Tak was a fun and loving person who enjoyed visiting and joking with family and friends. He dedicated his time to community gatherings and events. He enjoyed sports, especially hockey and mudbogging. Tak was a pipe carrier, spiritual advisor (elder) and counsellor. Tak did not need any titles or to be elected into any position as he was a respected and traditional leader in the true sense. Many people in the community as well as outside the community came to seek his spiritual guidance. Tak was a humble person who touched many lives. He will be greatly missed by the community. A wake service will be held on Thursday, August 5 at Peggy and Ronalds residence on Lake Manitoba First Nation, beginning at 7:00 p.m. A wake service will also be held on Friday, August 6 at Berba Swans residence beginning at 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 7, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lake Manitoba School Gymnasium with Fr. Michael Nowsu officiating. A traditional funeral service will follow with David Courchene Jr. officiating. Interment to follow in the Lake Manitoba Reserve cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Corey Missyabit, Bryce Missyabit, Garry Maytwayashing, Dwight Paul, Lawrence Sutherland, and George Mancheese. Honorary pallbearers will be all his cousins, aunties, uncles, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, too numerous to mention. ARRANGEMENTS BY: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. ASHERN - LUNDAR (204) 768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 05, 2004