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Ethel Rookes
March 3, 2023
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Ethel Rookes, beloved wife of the late Doug Rookes of Virden, Manitoba passed away peacefully with family by her side at WestMan Nursing Home, Virden Friday, March 3, 2023 at the age of 94 years.
A Service of Remembrance for Ethel will be held at Trinity United Church – Welwyn, Saskatchewan Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Sask time. Interment in Welwyn Cemetery. Luncheon to follow.
Ethel was the daughter of James and Elsie Byers, born in McAuley at the home of Mag Colquhoun, September 1, 1928. She took her few years of education at Park Plains, Declare and McAuley schools. From the age of 10, she worked for various people in and around the area, working through harvest and was often late returning to school. In 1944, she went to Winnipeg where she worked until July, leaving for Vancouver with the Blanchard family who had asked her to go with them as a traveling companion for their daughter. She remained there until 1948 when she returned to Welwyn, Saskatchewan.
Ethel was employed in Welwyn, McGregor and Brandon, Manitoba before her marriage to Doug Rookes on December 19, 1953 at the home of Gertie Byers. They moved to Atikokan, Ontario in September of 1956, where Doug worked at Steep Rock Mine. They had two children while living in Ontario, Allan who was born January 15, 1959 and Ian who was born July 5, 1960. Doug and Ethel moved back to Welwyn area in 1961 to the Rookes family farm. In 1985, Doug took a job with Fort la Bosse School Division in Virden, Manitoba and this is where they remained.
Ethel was predeceased by her husband, Doug; siblings, Florence (21 days), Lawrence (Buster), Gordon, Johnny, Robert (Bob), Verna (Stewart), Baby girl, William (Bill), George (1 day) and Torrence (Buck). She was predeceased by Doug’s siblings Earl, Ron and Shirley (Campbell). She is survived by her sibling Margaret (Wedgewood); sister – in – law Maxine; son Allan (Judy), Ian (Darlyn); grandchildren Dana (Ellie), Amanda, Richard (Tina), Samantha (Victor), Jennifer, Johnny (Stephanie); great grandchildren, Avery, Jase, Emerson, Logan, Finn, Azayleah and Xander. Ethel’s hugs will be deeply missed! She adored her grandkids and great grandkids. They put the sparkle in her eyes.
For those who so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Ethel may be made to WestMan Nursing Home Remembrance Fund, P.O. Box 400 Virden, MB R0M 2C0 or to Alzheimer Society of Manitoba 10 – 120 Donald St. Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2.
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March 3 2023
Death notice for the town of: Virden, Province: Manitoba
death notice Ethel Rookes March 3 2023
obituaries notice Ethel Rookes March 3 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ethel Rookes March 3 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
