GERALDINE KOVAR

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GERALDINE KOVAR On March 20, 2017 Geraldine Kovar (Jones) passed away suddenly at the age of 71. Geraldine was born May 13, 1945 in Glenboro to Jerry and Thelma (Thompson) Jones. She grew up on a farm south of Glenboro and attended Glenboro School. Geraldine leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Rudy, of 51 years, children Val, Diane and David, daughter-in-law Stephanie (nee Mawson), and four incredible and special grandchildren Cole, Kaitlinn, Cassie and Alyshea. She is also survived by her brother Tom (Bev) Jones and sons Ted and Graeme, stepbrother Joe (Maria) Berry, and stepsister Barbara (Bert) Bloomfield, sisters-in-law Mary (William) Ohanka, and Ella Green, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Geraldine was predeceased by her parents Jerry and Thelma (nee Thompson) Jones, stepmother Alma Jones (Berry), son-in-law Daryl Price, and brother-in-law Eric Green. In her teen years she worked at the Rainbow Cafe. Her dad told her if she wanted to smoke, she had to earn her own money. When she got her first pay cheque and realized the work that went into earning the money, she quit smoking right there. In 1965, she married the love of her life Rudy Kovar. They raised three children, Val, Diane, and David, on their family farm four miles south of Glenboro. Geraldine was given advice from her neighbour Donna Arason, saying "if she didn't have to work off the farm than don't, because your kids are young for a short time and to enjoy them." She took the advice and became Rudy's "hired hand" and was able to be a stay-at-home mom. Geraldine loved working in their garden. When she wasn't chasing her kids around, she spent her time playing baseball and curling. As her children got older, she became more involved with the community. She became an active member of the Glenboro Ag. Society, Glenboro Volunteer Enrichment Group, Palliative Care Committee, Personal Care Home, and Farmers Market. In 2014, she was the chosen recipient of the Glenboro Resident of Distinction Award. In her later years, she turned most of her attention to her four grandchildren. She and Rudy put many miles on their car following the grandkids across the province for their activities (basketball, baseball, volleyball, football, snowboarding, swimming, piano, and choir. The majority of the time when they travelled to these events they would have more than one kid in their car. You always knew Geraldine was at one of their sporting events because the grandkids said "Grandma was always the loudest and got very involved." When she wasn't travelling for the grandkids, she would be travelling with Rudy on many road trips or down to the lake to visit Bob and Olivia Jewsbury. Geraldine and Rudy would hit the road with Bill and Mary Ohanka, and Ella Green to look at gardens and scenery. If not traveling with these three, they would travel with Bob and Olivia Jewsbury on many mini vacations into the states and across the province. Last year Geraldine was able to check one more thing off her bucket list on one of these mini vacations by traveling to Kenora and having dinner on the SS Kenora in the middle of Lake of the Woods. Grandma will always be known for making the best Roast Chicken in the country according to all of her grandchildren. A Celebration of Geraldine's life will be held on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Kinsmen Hall, Glenboro, MB, with Sharon Hamilton officiating. Following the service an interment will take place in the Glenboro Cemetery with a reception to follow in the Kinsmen Hall. Friends that so desire, memorial donations can be made in Geraldine's memory to the Glenboro Palliative Care, Box 310, Glenboro, MB R0K 0X0 or to the Glenboro Volunteer Enrichment Group c/o Olivia Jewsbury, Box 422, Glenboro, MB R0K 0X0. Online condolences can be made by visiting www.willmorchapel.com Jamieson's Funeral Services of Glenboro in care of arrangements. 204-827-2480.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 25, 2017