March 27, 1927 – March 6, 2024
On March 6, 2024, three weeks short of her 97th birthday, Alverna Arksey, formerly of Langruth, MB passed away at the Arborg Personal Care Home.
Mom was predeceased by her parents Frederick and Martha Dell, her husband Ken Arksey, grandson Tim Wilson and his wife Daphne, brothers Leonard, Joe, and Arnold; sisters Olive, Mary, and Mildred; as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.
Left to mourn her passing are daughter Jane (Ken) McKay of Fisher Branch; son Kerry (Sharron) of Winnipeg; grandchildren Chris (Nicola) Wilson of LaSalle; Ben (Helena Fleger) Wilson; Morgan (Rachel) Arksey-Unger; Keaton Arksey, all of Winnipeg; and greatgrandchildren Sher (Salty) Kennedy, Jesse (Victoria) Wilson, Thomas, and Kara Wilson.
She is also survived by brother-in-law Les Arksey of Gladstone; sister-in-law Millie Dell of Thunder Bay; brother-in-law Leonard (Heather) Arksey of Lethbridge, AB; and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Langruth, MB and spent the next 86 years of her life in that community. During her lifetime, she spent many hours quilting with friends, serving on various community organizations, tending her garden, and caring for cows and their calves. The animals were a passion her entire life.
She and Dad were married in 1949 and had been married for 62 years when he passed away in 2011. In 2013, she left the farm and relocated to Regency House in Portage la Prairie.
In 2021, she moved to the Interlake to live with Jane and Ken on their ranch; she was back to an environment of cattle and gardens. Her final move was to Arborg in 2022.
The family would like to thank the staff at House of Hope assisted living facility in Arborg, the Arborg Hospital and the Arborg Personal Care Home for making mom’s last years comfortable and transforming her from a “Listen to me and do what I say” mom to a “Huggie Bear” mom. It was a remarkable transformation. Thank you. Thank you also to Voyage Funeral Home for their courteous, caring, and professional management of the arrangements.
Interment at Lakeland Cemetery will be held at a later date when the weather is warm – because in her later years, Mom detested the cold!
In lieu of flowers donations in mom’s memory may be made to the Lakeland Cemetery, c/o Big Grass Community Foundation, Box 497, Gladstone, MB R0J 0T0.
