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DONALD TIMMERMAN
On August 3, 2025, Don passed away peacefully at the age of 83 at Seven Oaks Hospital.
Don is survived by his children Brent (Trish) and Janet, and grandchildren Mark and Breanna. He is also survived by his twin sister Donna (Walter) Klassen, sister-in-law Sharon, brother-in-law Glenn Becklund, sister-in-law Lynette Fjellman, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Don was predeceased by his wife Ruth, parents Jaring and Bessie Timmerman, parents-in-law Albert and Valborg Becklund, Gladys Timmerman, brother Bruce Timmerman, brother-in-law Steve Fjellman and sister-in-law Judy Becklund.
Born on July 22, 1942, Don from a young age was an active member of The Salvation Army in the Winnipeg Citadel Corps. A lifelong member of the church brass band, Don travelled on numerous band trips. On one band trip to St. Paul, Minnesota in May, 1968, Don met the love of his life, Ruth, and they stayed closely connected until they were married on June 28, 1969. For 50 years of devoted marriage, Don and Ruth were loving partners and supporters of each other.
In the early 1960s Don started a career as a teacher in the St. James Assiniboia School Division. Don started the first school band program in the division at Golden Gate Junior High, while also teaching math. He then spent many enjoyable years at Silver Heights Collegiate before becoming the Music Coordinator for the Division. Eventually, Don progressed to be a Vice Principal and then Principal at various schools, before retiring in 1999 as Principal at Sturgeon Creek Regional Secondary School.
Once retired, he quickly found a second career with emergency disaster management through The Salvation Army, working with retired firefighters to set up a food truck roster for Winnipeg fire response, and supporting critical events such as numerous Manitoba floods and Hurricane Katrina.
Don had a strong love of music, and mentored others towards improving their musical talents. Don was a music teacher to many students in St. James, and he was an invited guest instructor at several summer music camps. He led The Salvation Army brass band for several years at the Winnipeg Citadel Corps, and for over 40 years was the leader of the church choir. He joyfully played his euphonium every Sunday in The Salvation Army band, and tuba in the community Rupertsland Brass Band. He had a lifelong love of classical music and he and Ruth enjoyed season tickets to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for many years.
Don demonstrated his faith and love of the Lord with leadership and dedicated service. He supported the Salvation Army by serving for many years on the local church leadership board. For over 40 years he supported the International Music Camp as president, and later a board member. For many years Don volunteered for provincial Progressive Conservative and federal Conservative election campaigns, and for 24 years was president of the Kirkfield Park PC Association. He also served on the Manitoba Arts Council and the Manitoba Provincial Board of Reference.
Throughout his life, Don supported individuals as well as groups in both simple and deeply involved ways. For many years, Don would provide rides to church or band practice for people who needed them, especially students living at Booth College. He was a tremendous advocate and supporter of his father Jaring, assisting him with his many swimming events and speaking engagements, and helping him later in his life in assisted living. When Ruth’s health declined from Parkinsonism, he devoted his life to providing care at home for her, taking her to specialist appointments, and ensuring they enjoyed a month away together in Phoenix every winter.
Shortly after Ruth’s passing in 2020, Don was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He endured fractured vertebrae caused by the illness and had spinal fusion surgery to regain movement. He worked hard at his recovery and was able to return to his favourite sports of golf and curling, which he enjoyed up until his recent hospitalization. During his remission from the cancer, he fulfilled some of his lifelong travel dreams, taking a European riverboat cruise with his son Brent, and a Hawaiian cruise with his daughter Janet. Don was a loyal season ticket holder for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for over 40 years, and rejoiced when the Bombers won the Grey Cup in 2019. Don’s happy place was Victoria Beach, where he summered since 1950, and was able to make one last trip there in June with his daughter.
The family wishes to thank everyone for supporting Don while he was in hospital for many months with prayers, messages, phone calls and especially visits. Your care and compassion were greatly appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Salvation Army Living Hope Community Church, 51 Morrow St., or the Jaring Timmerman International Music Camp Scholarship Fund for Canadian students with Financial Need, through the Winnipeg Foundation.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2025
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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Don was an usher at our wedding in 1963. He was a great friend to my husband Henry. As we moved to Ontario we lost touch and got busy with our lives as did Don and his family. We occasionally would see him and Ruth when we attended their church when visiting family in Winnipeg. I’m sorry for your loss Donna and family. May God comfort you in the coming days. - Posted by: Andrea Harley (Friend) on: Sep 03, 2025
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I worked with Don at Brooklands when he was the principal there. He was a very fine man. I always appreciated how he ran the school; he had a lot to deal with. After he left Brooklands, he came to the viewing for my mother, and that was very kind of him. In later years, our paths crossed when the Rupertsland Brass Band played at my brother's church. We had good chats both times. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: Cathie Morgan Matula (former colleague) on: Sep 03, 2025
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Oh what a life well lived! I so appreciated the beautiful tribute and write up of Mr Timmerman's life! I was a band student at Silver Heights for grade 10, 11 and 12. Mr. Timmerman took us on a band trip to Minneapolis for grade 12. We shared a wonderful connection of faith and we often chatted. For some strange reason, I purchased a goldfish on the trip! Well, it died on the way home on the bus. At my graduation, when I was walking across the stage to get my certificate, Mr. Timmerman presented me with a new, live goldfish in a plastic bag of water. I graduated 1977 and still tell friends that story. He was a favourite teacher, for sure. May I give my sincere condolences to his family at this sad time. - Posted by: Catherine Parker (Silver Heights band student 3 years) on: Aug 18, 2025
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I worked in collaboration with Don when he led Salvation Army's Emergency Management efforts in Manitoba. Don left a lasting legacy for others who have followed him, ensuring people in need following disasters have the support they need to rebuild. He had a unique ability to mobilize others to work along side him in the spirit of service. He was humble and kind. My sincere condolences to his family and others close to him. - Posted by: Karen-Denise Cyr (Colleague) on: Aug 17, 2025
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I met Don in 1963 when I joined the Winnipeg Citadel Salvation Army band. He was instrumental in me getting a teaching position in St. James-Assiniboia in 1967. I was assigned to Golden Gate Jr. High where Don was teaching math and directing the band program. Almost immediately I began to assist him with the beginners' band program. As Don continued to expand the program into Silver Heights Collegiate, I took over the bands at Golden Gate. Don and I continued our friendship both in collaborating with our band programs and curling together at Highland. When Don became Band Coordinator for the school division, he came to me and offered the job of band director at John Taylor Collegiate where I worked for 25 years. My condolences to Don's family in the loss of their father and brother. I would especially offer my heartfelt sympathy to his twin sister, Donna, who carpooled with me to the University of Manitoba through several frigid winters. - Posted by: Ross Shaver (friend) on: Aug 16, 2025
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My condolences to the family on Don’s passing. I truly enjoyed working with him on the Board of reference and his insights on education for the children of Manitoba. I and board members will truly miss him. - Posted by: Lynne Champagne (Board member Board of reference) on: Aug 16, 2025
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My condolences to Donna, Janet, Brent and families on the passing of Don. We worked together for many years in the school division. He is now free of pain and in the loving arms of our Lord. Rest in peace, my friend. - Posted by: Dorothy Young (Colleague) on: Aug 16, 2025
