ANNE EVANGELINE RAND

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ANNE EVANGELINE RAND January 26, 1920 - May 14, 2005 The family of Anne Rand sadly announces her sudden passing on Saturday, May 14, 2005. Anne was born in Schoenwiese, MB, only daughter of Isaac and Helena Wiens. She was the oldest of six surviving children. In May 1932, her family moved to McCreary, MB, and started farming. At age 20, Anne moved to Winnipeg to enroll in business school. After graduation, she worked for a few years, and after meeting and marrying Harry Rand in 1944, purchased a farm at Amaranth, MB. In 1951, with two small girls and a newborn, Anne and Harry moved to Austin, MB to become the MTS telephone agent for the area. She raised her family of Julie, Shirley, Clare, and Lester and operated the telephone switchboard for the Austin area until the area changed over to dial in 1968. By then Harry had developed a thriving electrical business, and Anne became bookkeeper and purchaser, making frequent buying trips to Winnipeg and Brandon. Anne had been raised in the Mennonite culture. In Austin, she joined the United Church, and became very active in the church until moving to Winnipeg almost 50 years later. She was a regular in the choir, and a member first of the YWO and later the UCW. In the early years of the Manitoba Agricultural Museum at Austin, Anne organized and operated a food concession for the YWO, and later helped with the UCW dining hall. After her children were grown up, Anne became an active member in the Canadian Red Cross, knitting, canvassing and performing any and all duties asked of her, earning a number of certificates of recognition for her work. She was given the Governor General's lifelong achievement award for her work in the Red Cross. She also enjoyed attending the annual general meetings, many times taking one of her grandchildren with her. Anne and Harry were great travellers, their destinations were usually a relative who lived too far away to see very often. Their children were fortunate to see first-hand such sights as Mount Rushmore, the Canadian Rockies, Kakabeka Falls, Old Faithful, Banff National Park, Grand Coulee Dam, the Hope Slide and Expo 67. After Harry retired, their vacations took them to warmer destinations, usually during the winter months, destinations such as Texas, Vancouver, Washington, DC, the Maritimes, Quebec City, Expo 86, New Orleans. Anne was an avid photographer. Every vacation, family wedding, and get together was well documented with pictures and videos. In her later years, as her memory started failing, Anne enjoyed seeing slides or pictures of her children's, nieces' and nephews' weddings, and other special family events. One of Anne's greatest passions was plants and flowers. Her house and yard were always full of flowering plants. Whenever she saw a new plant at a friend's, she would ask for a slip to start her own. Anyone that wanted a cutting or plant was welcome to it. Later, when she lived in Winnipeg, she loved to see the seasonal flower displays at the Assinboine Park Conservatory. Anne was predeceased by her husband Harry; infant son Dexter; parents, Isaac and Helena Wiens; three brothers, Harold and Arthur in infancy, and Harry. Left to cherish Anne's memory are children, Julie (Ken), Shirley (Ed), Clare (Fern), and Lester; grandchildren, Dana (Sheryl), Craig (Eileen), Jessica, Christopher, Devin; and great-grandson Kristofer. Anne also leaves brothers, John (Jean), Elmer (Emma), Mano (Helen), Edgar (Ridia); sister-in-law May; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral service was held Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. in the Austin United Church with Emily Lovell officiating. Presiding at the organ was Beryl Henders, at the keyboard was Lois Jones and vocalists were Ed and Georgina Loucks. Interment followed at the Austin Cemetery. Pallbearers were Cecil Jones, Sheldon Hawley, Mac Lelond, Marvin Wiens, Devin Rand, and Chris Rand. All friends were considered honorary pallbearers. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross, Box 2441, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9; CancerCare Manitoba, Box 2248, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9; or to the charity of their choice. Clarke's Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 28, 2005