SHARON EVANS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SHARON EVANS

Sharon Lorraine Evans was born to Maurice and Joyce (Latimer) Wittevrongel on August 3, 1952. Joyce had polio when Sharon was born and was in an iron lung in Winnipeg until Sharon was 13 months old. During this time, she lived with her aunt Margret Claude.

Growing up on the family farm south of Treherne she attended Boyne Creek school for grade one. She moved to school in Treherne when Boyne Creek was closed. Sharon joined 4-H Beef and Home Ec. Clubs when she was 8 years old. Her participation continued her entire life in multiple different roles, both as a member and leader of 32 years.

In 1966 the high school students from Holland joined Treherne where she met Bruce Evans. Sharon was smitten, and their love story began. After graduating from high school, Sharon went to Red River Community College to take junior accounting while Bruce stayed home to farm with his parents. They were engaged on April 17, 1971. The big joke was Bruce had to pay for the bull and the baler before he could buy her a ring.

On February 12, 1972 they were married and moved to a trailer on the Evans farm near Holland. Sharon worked at CIBC as a teller while Bruce worked on the farm as they started their family. Darwin was born in 1975 and Keith followed in 1977.

With the selling of the family farm they moved to Elgin in 1978 where Bruce went to work for Keith and Diane Laughland at Underhill and Sharon babysat for some of the families in Elgin. She began working one day a week with Dr. Bourassa at Total Eye Care in Souris, where she remained for many years. They moved to Hartney in August 1982. Sharon continued her job with Dr. Bourassa and at the same time also started working at the Hartney Co-op. Trisha was born in 1983 and Kimberly was born in 1984. As the family grew older, Bruce and Sharon became very involved in all activities in which their children were involved. Many hours were spent at the rink and on the ball diamonds with the kids.

Sharon loved the community of Hartney, which was shown through her volunteer efforts. She always said if you were going to have an opinion, you better roll up your sleeves and volunteer. Sharon participated in many community groups and was the secretary or treasurer for a number of them. She was always happiest when she had something to plan or organize and could be counted on to have detailed lists of what needed to be done.

When the restaurants in town closed, Sharon and Claris Isabey worked together to convert Claris’ flower shop into the Red Door Café, which they ran together with their husbands for 5+ years. Never one to sit still, Sharon opened her home daycare shortly after, looking after dozens of children until present day. During this time, the family was also host to exchange students from Mexico and Columbia. She was fondly known as ‘Grandma’ to dozens of children, and there was always room at the table for more. Her extended chosen family included the Filipino community of Hartney, who she happily helped to gather furniture for as they brought their families to town.

Sharon’s love for her family was as the heart of she was. She had a special bond with each of her children and was proud of their accomplishments.

Darwin married Sharon Rauch, and have two children, Tyler and Morgan. Sharon loved to follow their sports and school events and looked forward to their visits each year, both in Hartney and visiting them in Ottawa when she was able.

Keith always checked on his Mom, and she loved when he would come to visit her and tease her daycare kids at lunch time. She looked forward to having him for supper, catching up on what he was doing at work or with the Elks, Fire Department, Rink Committee or the Hartney Blues hockey team.

Sharon loved her time with Trisha and Ken, welcoming Ken’s children Max and Dominic into the family. She would find projects for Ken to do and would spend hours with Trisha on the phone as she commuted for work.

Kimberly married Fernando Magalhaes, whose children Mia and Nico provided her endless amounts of entertainment. Sharon was thrilled when they made the move from Calgary back to Brandon in January of 2021 to be closer to Grandma and Grandpa. She enjoyed the daily video calls, but looked most forward to the weekends they would spend together camping, crafting, and watching the kids’ activities. She was so proud of Kim when she was awarded a Top 4 under 40 award from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce in May 2024.

Sharon was a remarkable woman who has left a legacy of compassion, caring, and service to others. One of her last acts of service was to create a bursary to be awarded annually to a graduating student of Hartney School who is furthering their education in health care.

The family expresses its gratitude for the care provided by Dr. Cram and the staff at Souris Health Centre, the Home Care personnel, and Dr. Robinson and the staff at Women’s Hospital at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

Funeral service will be held at the Centennial Centre Hartney, Manitoba on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. Interment in the Riverside Cemetery, Hartney. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honour to the Hartney Swimming Pool or Hartney & Area Arena both donations are to be made payable to the Municipality of Grassland Box 399 Hartney, Manitoba, R0M 0X0.

Kowalchuk’s Funeral Home, Souris

in care of arrangements.

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

SHARON EVANS

Sharon, 72 years, beloved wife of Bruce Evans, mother of Darwin, Keith, Trisha and Kim. Sharon passed away at the Souris Health Centre on November 3, 2024. Funeral service will be held at the Centennial Centre Hartney, Manitoba on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. Interment in the Riverside Cemetery, Hartney. In memory of Sharon, donations may be made to the Hartney Swimming Pool or to the Hartney Arena both donations in care of the Municipality of Grassland Box 399 Hartney, Manitoba, R0M 0X0.

Kowalchuk’s Funeral Home, Souris

in care of arrangements.

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

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 05, 2024, Nov 05, 2024, Nov 09, 2024