ANNA DONKIN (STETZ)

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ANNA DONKIN (nee STETZ) Peacefully on September 12, 2012 at Red River Place in Selkirk, MB, with her granddaughter by her side, Anna passed just shy of her 102 birthday. She was predeceased by her husband, Stanley Phil Donkin; her parents, Wasyl and Pauline Stetz of Ledwyn, MB; brothers, Tony, Norman, Mike, Metro and Alex; sisters, Annastasia Ryckman and Jean Kozub. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Phyliss Ann; grandson William Rodych; granddaughter, Maryanne (Wally) Johannson; great-grandson, Trevor (Crystal); and great-great-granddaughter, Rae Lynn; as well as her nieces and nephews, Jeanette, Norma, Robert, Geraldine, Tommy, Valerie, Allan, Kelly, Jody, Jack, Pauline and Marilyn and their families. Gran was always connected to nature and the land. She was born in 1910 and brought to the new Stetz homestead in Ledwyn, MB where her parents cleared the land and built their home. She was blessed with five brothers and two sisters whom she loved immeasurably. After the loss of her mother in a tragic farm accident, she left the farm to attend school and started working in Winnipeg. She cleaned houses, cooked and was a live in housekeeper and nanny for many different families. Her days off were spent back at the farm, helping where she could. I was told she met my Grandfather at a weekend country dance they married in 1938 and raised their daughter in Winnipeg. Upon his retirement from the Post Office they bought their own farm in Camp Morton where they became full time beekeepers. This is where she excelled. The yard and gardens were beautiful - she won numerous prizes and awards for her clover honey, beeswax candles and her scrumptious honey baking. She especially loved teaching people about bees and marketing the products at various flower and honey shows. Her 60s and 70s were devoted to her grandchildren. Every weekend I can remember involved her making Sunday dinners, homemade chicken noodle soup, fish and chips and incredible pies and yeast doughnuts, trips to Camp Morton on the bus with our friends in tow, days at the beach, hours in the gardens, picnics in the park, not to mention wonderful birthdays, costumes for Halloween and we never missed a circus. She seemed to have endless energy. She kept bowling until she was 87. Grandpa passed in 1987 and she lived in the house in Winnipeg until she was 94 years old finally conceding to move to Gimli to be closer to me. She loved coming to the farm just to make sure everything was as it should be . She loved the way Wally brought the place back to life and was so proud of all the improvements. The fact that he took up bee keeping and keeping bees alive was very comforting to her. Almost two years later she broke her hip and had to move into Red River Place. Thankfully free of pain, she passed with dignity because of the care and compassion shown to her by all the staff. It will always be remembered and greatly appreciated. As keeping with Gran's wishes she wanted to be cremated with no formal service. Interment will take place at the Ledwyn Cemetery at a later date. Thanks to Mona Johnson and Eirik Bardal for the arrangements In lieu of flowers...Plant a flower in the spring and a bee will visit. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 Gimli: 204-642-7124 www.neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 29, 2012