Obituary
* A graveside service will be held for Sylvia on Saturday, July 11 at 11:00 am from the Roblin District Cemetery. All are welcome to attend. The service will also be livestreamed on Sneath-Strilchuk’s Facebook page. You do not require a Facebook account to participate. Click on this link at service time: www.facebook.com/sneathstrilchukfuneralservices/
It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Sylvia Ricker (nee Hauser) of Roblin, MB on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the age of 78 years at Brandon Regional Health Centre.
She was born April 12, 1942 to the late Henry and Phyllis (Weber) Hauser of Waldron, SK. She was the youngest of three siblings, Donald and Elaine (May) and two half brothers, Arnold and Raymond Kitch. She attended school in Waldron, then took her grade 11 in Melville (stayed with her dad’s sister, Aunt Lena and Fred Bessell) and her final Grade 12 year in Flin Flon (staying with her oldest half brother, Arnold and Agnes Kitch).
In 1957 mom’s health problems started when she developed a crooked spine and was diagnosed with Polio as a teenager and had surgery in Regina to correct it. She also had to wear a body cast for some time after the surgery.
In 1961 mom attended Brandon College to take Teacher’s Training and graduated in 1962. She then taught at Burbank School by Elkhorn, Manitoba for a year. There she met a young handsome man, Wayne Ricker, who was working for the Highways Department. He had a sparkle in his eye for mom and she was hooked! They were united in marriage July 6, 1963 at the St. Andrews Church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and honeymooned at Child’s Lake in the Duck Mountain Prov. Park. Child’s Lake would become a favorite spot for them to celebrate their future anniversaries.
They moved to Dauphin where mom taught at Tanner School by Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. Mom must have been pretty gutsy as some of the boys were taller than her. She taught until Christmas that same year. They relocated to Roblin in 1964 as the Highways Department was working on the #482 highway thru Cupar Creek to Shellmouth. The trailer was moved into the Assiniboine Valley in the yard of dad’s parents, George and Elizabeth Ricker. Mom’s hands began to get full as they were blessed with five children; Diane, Gary, Sherry, Rodney and Robert. In 1967 they had to relocate to higher ground as the Asessippi Dam was completed and the valley began to flood. With a bigger family mom and dad built a house in the same yard and we moved into it in 1973.
In 1978, mom and dad had an opportunity to start a campground. They purchased the land from the government (which was originally owned by dad’s parents) and began to clear some land for camping sites. They modified the house basement into a store and mom managed the store for many summers. While mom was busy with the store, she was also busy raising us kids. She always managed to have a meal on the table and lots of baked goodies. She canned everything from fruit to fish. Mom loved gardening and loved it even more when she was able to get us kids to help pick weeds! She had many compliments from the customers for her beautiful flowers in front of the store. I’m not sure how she managed everything, but she did it without complaining (that was mom). In the winter months, mom and dad drove us 5 kids around for hockey and figure skating. Mom was a “rink mom” for quite a few years. They used to pass each other on the highway driving us kids to either practices, games or tournaments. In 2006 the campground was sold to the Herman family and they continued to call it Ricker’s Campground. Mom and dad received many compliments from the people in the campground for their customer service, friendships and great memories over the years.
Mom and dad kept a few acres and built their retirement home, with a spectacular view of the valley. Mom loved the valley and was proud to be living there. She would stand by the picture window and look with appreciation of all the beauty there. They had a garden and mom loved tending it. Even as mom’s mobility was failing, she still managed to help dad with the weeding. Mom planted beautiful flowers there and in the yard. Mom enjoyed going down to their “Half-way House” as they called it. It was a quiet sanctuary with a little cabin, a cookout area and bush surrounding it. It was their special place together that they shared many wiener roasts just the two of them or with family. Mom loved the birds, squirrels and partridges that came to visit too. There was even a bear or two!
She enjoyed sewing when she had time and sewed a lot of pyjamas, fleecy hoodies and knit socks and crocheted. Even though it was hard for her mobility wise, she was in the process of sewing fleece hoodies for her great grandchildren. Mom loved camping with dad. When they retired from the campground they tried to get back to Child’s Lake to celebrate their anniversary and maybe recreate a few campfire sparks! Mom and dad managed to get there last summer. Mom and dad made many trips together visiting Hawaii, the States, camping trips thru BC to see Diane and her boys, cousins in Prince Rupert and on to Alaska.
Anyone that knew mom, knew she had a great sense of humour and mischievousness. Just ask any of the grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She would secretly tie shoelaces, point at something on our shirts and run her finger up to our noses, playing “the water trick” on the table, and so many more jokes and laughs. She always seen the positive side of things even when things weren’t the best for her. She never complained much, mom handled all her health obstacles with strength and courage. She will be forever in our hearts and greatly missed by all who knew her.
Leaving to mourn is her loving husband of 56 years Wayne, daughter, Diane (Darin) and grandsons, Troy and Derek; son, Gary and grandson, Miles; daughter Sherry, grandson, Jesse (Marta) and great-grandsons, Alec and Ales; granddaughter Tara; son, Rodney (LauraLee), granddaughter, Shelby (Ryan) Simon, Haley, great grandson, Gavin; granddaughter, Chelsea (Levon), great grandson, Kade, grandson, Rodney Jr. (Angela), granddaughter, Fallon (Kris);
Son, Robert (Jenn), grandsons, Tristen, Hayden and granddaughter Calla; sister, Elaine Goertzen of Salmon Arm, BC; brother Donald (Irene) Hauser of Saskatoon, SK; half-brother, Raymond Kitch of Melville, SK ; sister-in-law, Betty Wileman of Russell, MB; sister-in-law, Jeanette (Keith) Chase of Roblin, MB and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sylvia was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Phyllis Hauser; George and Elizabeth Ricker; half-brother Arnold (Agnes) Kitch; sister-in-law, Liz Kitch and brother-in-law, Bill Wileman.
A memorial service will be planned at a later date depending on the situation with the Covid19 pandemic.
If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made in memory of Sylvia Ricker to the Roblin District Community Foundation – Hospital Fund, Box 1599 Roblin, MB R0L 1P0.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvia Ricker *service update, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sylvia Ricker *service update April 12 1942 April 18 2020 (age 78)..
sneath strilchuk funeral services
Death notice for the town of: Dauphin, Province: Manitoba