FERN DUNBAR-FORTIN

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DUNBAR-FORTIN: Thankful for her extended life, the families of Fern are saddened to announce her passing on December 7, 2022. Fern was born in Waskada, Manitoba on September 29, 1928 and moved to Souris at the age of eight with her parents Cecil and Gertrude Stocks and her three brothers Mark, Orvel, and Royden. Left to mourn her loss is Orvel. Fern spent the rest of her life in Souris. In her young teenage years, Fern was employed at the Souris Bakeshop and the Souris Airport Base during the war years. Fern met Reginald Dunbar and they were married in 1949 and then moved to the farm south of Souris. They raised three children Connie (Bill), Colin (Karen) and Darcy (Val). Fern's grandchildren include Shauna (Rob), Kerry (Thora), Travis (Cheyenne), Cale (Ang), Dillon (Erin) and Mylen. Her great-grandchildren were Casey, Hannah, Gage, Freyja, Sonny, Regan, Jaxon and Jett. Reg passed away in 1977 and Fern remained on the farm for the year and then moved to Souris. Colin then took over the farm. She met up with the family friend and neighbour Rene Fortin. Fern and Rene were married in 1984 and built a new home near the swinging bridge. Together they did lots of travelling and dancing until Rene's passing. She had two stepsons Norman (Cheryl) and Ron (Joanne) and was also step-grandma to Danielle, Whitney, Michael, Dane, Callum, Michelle and Taylor. Fern loved the farm and worked hard at all aspects of farm life. One of her favourite pastimes was music and signing. She sang in the St. Paul's United Church Choir for a span of 60 years. She also taught herself to play piano and enjoyed teaching her grandchildren to play along with her. Along with the three of her best friends, they formed a signing quartet "Our Girls". They entertained at the lodges in Souris and Hartney and various events in the area. They performed together for about 30 years. She will be missed by her immediate family the Dunbar's and her extended family the Fortin's as well as many friends in the Souris Community. If you wish the donate in Fern's memory, her wish was to support St. Paul's United Church, Box 899, Souris or the Souris Personal Care Home, Box 10, Souris, Manitoba, R0K 2C0.

"Her laugh, her smile, her spirit lives on forever"

Publish Date: Dec 17, 2022

DUNBAR-FORTIN: Fern, 94 years, beloved wife of the late Reg Dunbar and the late Rene Fortin, mother of Connie, Colin and Darcy, passed away in the Souris Personal Care Home on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Funeral service will be held at St. Paul's United Church, Souris, on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. Private interment in the Souris and Glenwood Cemetery. In memory of Fern, donations may be made to St. Paul's United Church or to the Souris Personal Care Home. Kowalchuk's Funeral Home, Souris in care of arrangements.

Expression of sympathy may be made at www.kowalchuks.net

Publish Date: Dec 9, 2022

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 09, 2022, Dec 17, 2022