NELMA FETTERMAN

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NELMA FETTERMAN 

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Nelma Fetterman, at St. Boniface Hospital, on March 9, 2023, at 85 years of age.
Nelma is survived by her nieces Arlene O’Neill, Marjorie Poor, and Joan Poor; her nephews, Dwight Hallick, Brent Hallick, and Tom Hallick; her great-nieces Claire Poor-Harmon and Kimber Poor-Harmon; her great-nephews, David Fetterman, Kevin Fetterman, Scott O’Neill, Aaron O’Neill, and Chris O’Neill; and their families. She was predeceased by her father, Laude Fetterman; her mother, Hesper Fetterman; her sisters, Phyllis Poor and Beth Hallick; her brothers, Cecil (Bud) Fetterman, Ronald Fetterman, and Raymond Fetterman; and her nephews Tim Poor, John Hallick, Roger Fetterman, and Barry Fetterman.
The youngest of six children, Nelma grew up on a farm outside of Starbuck, Manitoba. She attended her first seven years of school at the one-room Prairie View School, and completed her secondary education in a two-room high school in Starbuck. After attaining her Grade 12 diploma, Nelma attended Normal School and then began her teaching career. She taught for two years each in a one-room school in Brandon Hills, in a three-room school at Domain, Manitoba, and in a large junior high school in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Perhaps above all else, Nelma valued her independence, and she saw education as the means to achieving it. She enrolled in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, and while there, she worked as a residence supervisor at Alberta College and assisted with summer school classes. She followed her B.Ed. with a Master of Arts degree from Michigan State University with a major in clothing and textiles, received in 1968, and was hired by the School of Household Economics at the University of Alberta to teach clothing construction. After working for six years, she took her sabbatical leave to attend Ohio State University, where she specialized in clothing and textiles and computer and information science, and received her PhD in 1977. She then returned to work at the University of Alberta until 1990.
In 1990, Nelma came to Winnipeg to work in the Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba. Between 1990 and her retirement in 2003, she served as Acting Dean of the Faculty twice and as head of the Department of Clothing and Textiles for four years, in addition to setting up a computer-aided design lab containing the latest in industry-standard apparel design equipment. She also spent a wonderful sabbatical leave in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1996, gaining industry experience at Hilo Hattie.
Nelma kicked off her retirement by taking a trip to Churchill with her niece Marjorie. Together they travelled by car up through western Manitoba and across the North to Thompson, then by train to Churchill where they watched belugas play, explored the fort, and ate at the renowned Gypsy’s Bakery. During the rest of her retirement, Nelma became involved in the University Women’s Club, the Friends of The Ralph Connor House, and the Winnipeg chapter of PEO, taking on terms as treasurer in all three groups. She strongly supported her church, and the arts in Winnipeg, including the theatre, symphony, and opera, benefitted from her regular attendance and donations. She spent time with her brother Raymond, taking jaunts and frequenting the casinos, and for the last few years of his life, she cared for him.
Throughout this life filled with accomplishments, Nelma gathered a vast network of beloved friends and godchildren who were constant and devoted, delighting in her teasing (and award-winning) smile and irrepressible laugh. Travels to places such as Cuba, Alaska, Iceland, and Mexico, including regular trips to Alberta, marathon bridge games, long telephone calls for birthdays or while watching curling, celebratory dinners, and many other chances to connect all provided opportunities to maintain and deepen her relationships. Nelma charmed everyone she came in contact with, and her loyalty to various service providers turned her into a dear friend rather than a mere client. With the support of close friends and family, Nelma remained independent, living in her house and driving her Lexus, until the end of her full and happy life. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
A memorial service to celebrate Nelma’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at Thompson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. Friends and family are also invited to share memories and leave condolences by visiting Nelma’s memorial page at thomsonithepark.com.
Nelma generously supported many charitable organizations. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a cause of your choice. 

THOMSON “IN THE PARK”
204-925-1120
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www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 01, 2023