Mary Elizabeth Muir passed away peacefully on July 6, 2019 in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. She was born on November 18, 1932 in Kenville, Manitoba to Christian and Emmy Immerkar.
Mary grew up on her parent’s farm, in the Egremont District in the Swan River Valley. She and her siblings always participated in all the chores farm life required. At times, she would even sweep the floors at the one room Egremont school that she attended in order to earn a little extra money.
At the young age of 14 or 15, Mary went out looking for work. She often did the cooking and cleaning for hired farm hands or tending to the children at the Dave Lumax farm. While employed at the Lumax farm, she met the love of her life, Jack Muir.
She used to tell us the story about how Jack rode up to Lumax’s on his motorbike looking for Dave. Mary was outside picking raspberries when he pulled up, she informed Jack that Dave was not home but she could get Marion for him. Moments later, Jack began helping her pick the raspberries and he forgot all about Dave and Marion! That was that, she was in love!
Mary and Jack were married on September 7, 1952 in Swan River United Church. Shortly after getting married, the happy couple moved out to Haney, British Columbia where Jack was employed at a cedar and shingle mill. During their 5 year stay in BC they had 3 children. A son, David, a daughter, Beverly and another son, Lloyd. All three children were born in New Westminster, BC.
After this time, they moved back to Swan River where Jack worked on the farm for Darrel Lumax. Two more children were born, a son, Bruce and a daughter, Shirley, to complete the family.
In 1965, they family moved to Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan where Jack began employment with Thode Enterprises. Mary and Jack also bought their own farm in the Etomami District.
Mary was ALWAYS up for a good adventure! Jack would say, “let’s go here” or “let’s go there” and Mary would drop everything to go fishing and camping. Sometimes, they probably did not even know where they would end up at the end of the day and they loved every minute of it!
One such adventure was the annual drive to Swan River for Danish Christmas with the Immerkar relatives. The celebration always included a feast of roast goose or pork, little brown potatoes, red cabbage, Danish brown bread and many other sweet treats, including traditional apple cake. Mary and Jack travelled in a half-ton that they equipped with a topper, a little tin heater and straw bales for the children to sit on. Even in the worst of weather Mary and Jack loaded the family up for the adventure. Christmas gifts, no matter how large or small were always enjoyed on the truck ride home later that evening.
After Jack’s passing in 1999 and 46 years of marriage, Mary moved into town to the home that they bought together shortly before he died. She missed the farm dearly but was also very proud of her new home. She decorated it with family photos and mementos that were near and dear to her. There wasn’t one inch of wasted space!
Mary was a quilter! She kept herself VERY busy sewing fortrel quilts for EVERY member of the family as well as any new babies in the neighbourhood that came along. She even sold some at the local Farmer’s Market. Mary also loved to cross-stitch, crochet, garden and care for house plants and flowers.
Mary’s biggest love was of all was her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than to have a grandchild come to visit and play a game of “Candyland” or “Trouble” or to have a tea party. Mary never got tired of children no matter whose they were. She just loved kids.
In 2015, Mary made her final move to the Hudson Bay Health Facility. While living at the care home she was still able to do the things she loved, such as playing games, making scrapbooks and looking at family photo albums.
Mary will be dearly missed by all of those who knew her.
Mary leaves to mourn her children, David (Diane), Beverly (Gerald), Lloyd, Bruce (Laura), Shirley (Murray).
Grandsons, Derrick (Lynette), Kenneth (Sherry), Jason (Patricia), Robert (Sherry), Lucas (Michelle) and Jacob.
Granddaughters, Sandy, Tracy, Sherry (Tyler), Leanne (Tyler), Elishia, Candace (Josh), and Skylett.
Twenty-eight great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Her sister Karen Gordon and sisters in-law Colleen Immerkar and Evelyn Immerkar as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mary was pre-deceased by her parents, Christian and Emmy Immerkar.
Husband, Jack Muir.
Sisters Greta Immerkar and Martha Olafson.
Brothers Hans Immerkar and Ejnar Immerkar.
Brothers in-law Frank Gordon and Carl Olafson.
Grandson, Trevor Hayworth.
Great-nephew, Larsen Brunel.
November 18 1932 ~ July 6 2019 (age 86)
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Muir..
Death notice for the town of: Swan-River, Province: Manitoba