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JOAN ADA SVENSON
Born: Sep 15, 1937
Date of Passing: Dec 14, 2023
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOAN ADA SVENSON
Joan Ada Svenson (nee Whitehead), aged 86 years, passed away on Thursday December 14, 2023, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.
Joan was the beloved wife of the late John Svenson for 63 years, and caring mother to Jim and Barb.
Joan was born on September 15, 1937, in Floral, Saskatchewan to James and Mabel Whitehead (nee Kennedy). She would say she was the second most famous person from Floral, next to Gordie Howe. In her early years until Grade six, she attended a one room school at Floral, Saskatchewan. She then went to school in Saskatoon and graduated from Nutana Collegiate. Outside of school, she helped on her parents’ sheep and grain farm. Along with her parents, she showed sheep and grain samples at fairs across the Prairies. Joan then went on to attend the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. She met her future husband John, while they were both attending the School of Agricultural Sciences at U of S. They both graduated with their Master’s Degree in Agriculture. Joan and John got married on October 3, 1959, and moved to Manitoba, working for the Manitoba government. It was suggested they both take their Master’s degree in Social Work, which they completed at the University of Manitoba.
Once they graduated in 1963, they moved to Brandon to work as civil servants for the Province of Manitoba, where Joan started in Childrens’ Aid. The odd time she would get home late, from being on the road, and have a baby or toddler with her, that she insisted would be looked after by her overnight, instead of what she felt was unfairly placing the child in a group home in the middle of the night and waking everyone up. She continued working until the birth of Jim in March 1969, and Barb in May 1971. She stayed at home raising the kids until 1984, when she went back to work for the Manitoba Department of Justice as a probation officer, until 2000. During this time, she set up a program of volunteer youth justice committees, to assist with not only what a suitable penalty would be, but also to assist the offender from re-offending in the future, through community service and re-dedication to schooling. She retired in 2000, only to go back a few years later and work part time with the MB Department of Justice, overseeing the Manitoba Fine Options program for Westman. Enjoying what she did, she continued working at a part time level, until 2018 (81 years of age).
Joan and John, along with another couple, created the Crocus Obedience & Kennel Club in 1968. It was a place where dog owners could train their dogs and put on dog shows. Joan was involved with the club in various executive roles, involved with organizing and running dog shows, judging, and teaching obedience lessons. Her love for dogs, especially poodles, filled her life.
Much time away from work was spent in the yard gardening, and growing flowers. She was involved with the garden clubs, judging horticulture shows, and teaching 4H kids on gardening vegetables and flowers. Besides pride in her own flowers, her floral judging led her all the way to being a North American level judge of lilies at shows, from across Canada to Wisconsin, Chicago, and St. Louis. By simply walking into a greenhouse, she could identify every plant, and all the info about each plant, without checking the information tags in the pots. She also excelled at flower arranging and would also judge and teach this skill. She judged floral shows for over 60 years.
Joan was an excellent seamstress. Dressmaking most times without a pattern, re-upholstering furniture, making drapes and hemmed clothes for the family and others. She was also an avid collector of new recipes, and arts and craft projects printed in magazines and newspapers. Joan also was an excellent photographer. Her 35 mm camera and the outdoors was her photo studio, capturing sunsets, harvest time, flowers, winter scenes and nature.
Joan was always involved with her children’s activities and interests. She was known as Akela, the leader of the 16th Valleyview Cub Scouts pack. She was the leader for years, and even continued years after Jim had moved onto Boy Scouts. She would also help with Barb in Brownies, with campouts and other events. She shared her joy and expertise in camping. She pushed all the kids to earn as many badges as possible. The reason was not the badge count, but to expand their horizons and various skills that might be used in life, in the future. She was involved in Toastmasters for many years. She was also involved with CNIB in Brandon for many years, and many years more, including last year, volunteering with the CNIB Christmas Wrapping booth every December at the mall.
Christmas for Joan was her favorite holiday. All of the traditions, Christmas baking, decorating, sending cards, and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, filled her greatly with joy. Another passion for Joan was travel. She travelled through all of Canada, 49 US states, and 14 other countries. Her favorite places were many, but Panama Canal, New Orleans, and Newfoundland topped the list. She loved attending close to 20 Cirque du Soleil shows. Another highlight was in 2013, of seeing one of the Beatles, Paul McCartney performing live in Winnipeg.
Joan loved sports and curled competitively for many years, including getting to the Saskatchewan provincial Ladies finals on a few occasions, curling with legendary Joyce McKee. Her favorite teams the Toronto Blue Jays and Winnipeg Jets, made for much enjoyment, and the odd yelling at the tv. She of course had a soft spot for Detroit, because of Gordie Howe. Joan had the craziest luck with fishing. She would always out-fish the rest of the family combined, in half the time. She loved her time at Madge Lake, SK, and the family cabin. From golf to fishing, and to keeping the kids entertained, with a no electricity week, which involved cooking on a fire for all meals, coal oil lamps and candles, nature hikes and scavenger hunts. She also enjoyed just sitting on the deck, while bird watching and soaking up the sun and lake life with her family.
Joan was always willing to help, and to teach and share what she knew. She always had time for others, and volunteered many hours, for many causes.
A graveside service was held on December 20, 2023, with a Celebration of Joan’s Life, later the same day.
Donations in memory of Joan may be made to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200 17th Street East, Brandon, MB R7A 7M6, or CNIB, 354 10th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4G1.
Publish Date: Dec 23, 2023
JOAN ADA SVENSON
With family by her side, Joan Svenson, aged 86 years, beloved wife of the late John Svenson, and caring mother to Jim and Barb, passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.
A graveside service will take place on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Brandon Cemetery followed by a celebration of Joan’s life at 1:30 p.m. at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, Brandon. A reception will follow.
Donations in memory of Joan may be made to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200 – 17th Street East, Brandon, MB R7A 7M6 or to the CNIB, 354 10th St, Brandon, MB R7A 4G1.
Publish Date: Dec 16, 2023
As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 16, 2023, Dec 16, 2023, Dec 23, 2023
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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I am sorry to hear of both Joan’s and John’s passing. I worked with your Dad in the area of Seniors for many years and got to know your mom in the process. As a couple and individuals they were amazing in so many ways. Folks who worked with them found them great colleagues. I enjoyed the stories of ‘George & Mary’ their adventures to New Orleans and their amazing green thumbs and development of new lilies. Frequently seeing them working in the yard over the years. It’s really been a privilege to know them both. - Posted by: Catherine Gfellner-Donald (Previous co-worker) on: Dec 18, 2023