Fern Lucille (Tolton) Stevens

Mom passed peacefully on September 16th, 2022 at Valleyview Personal Care Home, Brandon, MB (formerly of Glenboro, MB) at the age of 92.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 71 years, Fred; and her children, Randy, Darry (Cher) and Jody (Carl).  Her grandchildren: Cameron and Tyler; Michael, Branden (Regan) and Riki; and Jennie (Patrick), Dory (Adria), Riley (Rachelle) and Sally (Jeff) were the light of her life with nine great grandchildren to complete the picture of a healthy, cherished and very full life. 

She is also survived by two sisters Roma Stevenson of Brandon, MB, & Beverley Harris of Winnipeg, MB as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended relatives & friends.

Mom was predeceased by her parents Harvey and Eleanor Tolton; her son-in-law, Harold; sister Phyllis (Max) Hatch, brother Roland (Isabelle), brothers-in-law, Hudge and Bob, and Dad’s family; parents, Russell and Agnes, brothers Ernie (Marion) and Bill (Marion) and sister Gwen (Fred).

Mom was born at Fairview Farm, ten miles north of Oak Lake, MB in the St. David’s district to parents, Harvey and Eleanor (Titmus) Tolton.  She was raised with one brother, Roland and three sisters, Roma, Phyllis and Beverley. Mom went to the local one room schoolhouse, Verity, until Grade 9, by horse and buggy in the summer and cutter in the winter.  All her siblings had dimples so their horse was called Dimples!  Then mom was off to Oak Lake for Grades 10-12 and boarded in town.  After Grade 12, Mom went to Normal School in Winnipeg for one year.  She had just turned 17 years old.  Upon completion of her teacher training, Mom taught at Clanwilliam for two years and Souris for one year. 

She married Dad in June 1951 and they embarked on an incredible journey together, raising three children, working, travelling the world, and enjoying married life for 71 years.  With Dad’s railway career they moved from Brandon to Griswold to Welwyn, Sk and finally to Glenboro where they made their home for 32 years.  They made many special, lifelong friends along the way.  Mom went back teaching and loved her role as a special education teacher working one on one with her students.  After retirement, Mom and Dad travelled extensively and then, when they were in their late eighties, enjoyed escaping winters to Maricopa, AZ. 

Mom was an active member of the community.  She was a member of the U.C.W. for many years, serving as president for 10 years.  She loved to sing and has been a part of many church choirs; St. David’s, First Baptist (Brandon), Welwyn and Glenboro United Churches.  Mom had many hobbies; sewing, ceramics, curling, golfing, walking, gardening, scrapbooking and baking, to name a few.  Whatever the activity, Mom did it well and her family reaped the benefits. 

Mom was very grateful for her good health and only recently experienced her health declining.  We are thankful she got her wish to fall asleep.  Rest easily Mom, we will meet again. 

A Celebration of Fern’s life will be held on Wednesday September 21, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Glenboro United Church with Sandra Rex and Doug Craig officiating.  A Private Family inurnment will take place at Rosewood Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Friends who so wish, memorial donations can be made in Fern’s memory to the Glenboro & Area Foundation, Box 147, Glenboro, MB or to the Glenboro United Church Memorial Fund, Box 623, Glenboro, MB R0K 0X0.

Online condolences can be sent to the Stevens’ family by visiting Fern’s profile page at www.willmorchapel.com.  Jamieson’s Funeral Services of Glenboro in care of arrangements.

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