KRISTEN ALEXANDER ROOKS

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KRISTEN ALEXANDER ROOKS Tragically Saturday, November 20, 2004 at Swan River, MB Kristen passed away at the age of 31 years. Kristen will be sadly and lovingly missed by his mother and father, Vivian and Ray; sisters, Shannon (Ward) and Colleen (Steven) and brother Hayden; and Grandfather Alex. Also left to cherish his memory his aunts and uncles. Sharon, Bill (Phyllis), Mona (Larry), Brent (Paulina), Brian (Zoe), Jack (Carrol), Keith (Roxanne), Rhonda, Colleen (Max), Wendy (Richard), Neil (Mary-Ellen), Elaine (Carmen), as well as many cousins, and numerous friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents Alice and Jack Thompson and grandmother Effie Rooks. Kristen was born into a horse-loving family at Swan River, August 18, 1973. He graduated with honours from the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School in 1991. He obtained a Bachelor of Agriculture degree majoring in crop science from the University of Manitoba in 2002. Kristen recently obtained his Certified Crop Advisor Certificate. Kristen worked for various Manitoba and Saskatchewan trucking companies. Many miles were travelled throughout Canada and the United States. While he attended university full-time, he also worked on a full-time basis driving truck. Kristens expertise was working in the agribusiness field where his great mind for numbers was an asset. This led to his current job as a Farm Marketing Representative for Cargill Aghorizons since April 2002. Kristen truly enjoyed this position due to the interaction with people and the challenges of marketing. Kristen had many interests and hobbies. He liked reading in his spare time. He was a director of the Swan Valley Agricultural Society where he volunteered many hours of his time. He had also recently purchased his first home, and was busy making improvements to the property. Sports were a major part of Kristens life. He played hockey, and followed sports closely. You could always count on Kristen to know the score of last nights game. Kristen followed in his grandfather and his fathers footsteps racing horses. He travelled throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta racing chuckwagon. Kristen also made a trip in 2002 to race at the Fort Worth Stock Show in Texas. Kristen was also the official judge and starter for the Manitoba Pony Chariot and Chuckwagon Association. He was a fair judge that called penalties as he saw them. Kristen and his horse Gus were well known throughout the racing circuit. Kristen took great pride in his work, hobbies, and his family. Even though he was fiercely competitive and often stubborn, he was known as a gentle person who genuinely cared for others. He had a unique sense of humour and could always be relied on for a witty remark. His generosity and dedication to his friends and family will be sadly missed. "We love you Kristen, and we will miss you." An evening visitation will be held on Tuesday November 23, 7:30 p.m. from the Chapel of Swan Valley Funeral Services in Swan River, MB. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 24, at 1:00 p.m. from the Swan River Legion Community Hall. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Kristens memory may be made to the Kristen Rooks Memorial Award Fund, to be presented annually at the Northwest Roundup in Swan River, in care of P.O. Box 1204 Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0. Arrangements are entrusted to Jim Webster of Swan Valley Funeral Services Ltd. 363 Kelsey Trail (Hwy 10 North) Swan River, Manitoba. 734-5775

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2004