HELEN ANN ARTHUR

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HELEN ANN ARTHUR

June 26, 1943 - June 5, 2026

Ann, mom, Grandmum passed away peacefully with her family at her side on June 5, 2026.

Second daughter and last baby of three, Ann was born June 26, 1943, in Hamiota, MB to Helen and Ern Smith. They lived on the farm not too far from Rivers. Many of Ann’s growing up days were spent at Grandad Frank’s farm. Her friends and playmates were her brother Ted and sister Sheila, along with all the farm animals. Life on the farm provided all the family needed and was a great place to call home.

It was the love of showing the dairy cows at 4H fairs that brought Wayne and Ann together and their love story began. They were married August 1, 1964. Together, they had three children: Carole, Catherine and Christopher. Ann loved the farm and working alongside Wayne milking cows, working in her garden and caring for her kids and grandkids. Ann kept the love of showing at little fairs alive; taking her kids and grandkids to show flowers, cows and horses.

As a youngster, Ann attended Robinville School for grades 1 through 6, grades 7 and 8 Ann went to Brandon and attended Earl Haig School. She returned home and finished her high school education at Rivers. During high school Ann played basketball; this was the first time there was a team at Rivers Collegiate. After high school Ann went to Brandon University for her teacher training classes. She graduated from her one year of teacher training in 1962. Her first school was Hebron; a one room country school with grades 1 to 8. Ann was asked by Betty Gibson to join the team of kindergarten teachers in the Brandon School division in 1963. She taught Kindergarten at Alexandra School which is now the site of Betty Gibson School.

Ann put her teaching career on hold while "the three Cs" were small. In 1981 she returned to teaching at Spring Valley Hutterite Colony and later moved to Riverheights School in Brandon. She retired in June 1998 from teaching and continued working side by side with Wayne on the farm.

Dad and Mom found so much joy and love in their grandchildren, working the land, and showing their cows.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, Ern and Helen Smith, husband Wayne Arthur, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dave and Shirley Balch, brother-in-law Geordie Sheach and brother-in-law Bryan Arthur. Ann will be lovingly remembered by her children, Carole (Richard), Catherine (Rob) and Christopher (Heather), her grandchildren, Brennan, Kennah, Chelsey (Ryann), Liv, Jaelyn, Hailey and Alexander, and her great-grandchild Kacyn, her brother Ted (Sheila) Smith, sister Sheila Sheach, sisters-in-law, Helen Warburton and Diane Arthur, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and so many friends.

A Celebration of Life and service for Mom will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer/St. George’s Church, 114 Ashgrove Blvd., Brandon, with reception to follow. Interment will take place at the Brandon Hills Cemetery. As horses were a passion of Ann’s, anyone wishing to do so may bring their horse to the interment.

CONDOLENCES: www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 27, 2026