Warren Glen Shepherd

Peacefully, on the morning of September 14, 2023, Warren ‘Glen’ Shepherd passed away at his residence in Brandon, Mb.

Glen was born January 5, 1957 at the Glenboro Hospital, to Percy and Noreen (Moore) Shepherd. Glen grew up on the family farm 3 miles west of Glenboro.  At an early age, he developed a strong work ethic that he carried with him into his adult life.  He never shied away from hard work.  One cousin remembers Glen in his youth hauling pailful after pailful of water to sustain newly planted trees on the farm. He fed the cattle, cleaned the barn, drove the tractors, tended the garden and did all of the chores one must do on a farm.  Harvest time was his favourite and throughout his entire life, he enjoyed watching the combines in the field—especially if they were John Deere!  Over the years, he built up a collection of toy farm machinery, mostly of the John Deere brand.

Glen was happiest when he had something to do, maybe a sense of being, and he was never afraid to get his hands dirty. He was the weed sprayer for the municipality at one time and operated the Stockton Ferry for a couple of seasons.  He worked in the freezer at the Carberry potato plant for many years and worked part-time at the Brandon A&W for a period of time taking care of the grounds.  Glen also worked at the Brandon Building Re-Fit store on a part-time basis right up until the day before his death , a job which gave him much pride and fellowship. 

His life could not be described as easy.  He did not have many friends at school.  He was naïve and withdrawn, yet he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those who asked.  Glen was stubborn, which frustrated his parents when he was growing up, and he was often annoying to his brother Bill and especially his younger sister, Gail. He just seemed to know the right buttons to push to wind you up! Yet, his parents never gave up on him.  They coached him in arithmetic, reading and writing skills, job preparation and supported him through his mental illness.  They taught him the importance of please and thank-you—he was ever so polite.  Glen lost his greatest supporters when his parents died in a car crash in 1999.

Glen’s schizophrenia, which developed in his twenties, was hard on the whole family, and was most especially painful for his mom and dad. But that paled in comparison to the nightmare that Glen was living. It took many years to get his medications balanced. The family is so incredibly thankful to the professionals who worked with Glen, the case workers, proctors and also the support staff at the Brandon Building Re-fit store. Former Mental Health staff person Alice Haithwaite and her husband Herb, were important to Glen, and he felt very comfortable in their home. Long-time friend and mental health worker Jerry Liske was a huge help to Glen and for the family, and probably knew him the best of anyone over the past 20-some years. There were many friends of the family who were so good to Glen and took him under their wing. Their kindness and patience meant the world to Glen and his family.

Glen was predeceased by his parents, Percy and Noreen and by an infant sister, Beverly Lynn. Left to remember him are his brother Bill (Beverley Kaye), sister Gail (Brian), nephew Justin (Emily), niece Asha (Darcy), great niece Nora, long time friend Jerry Liske, step-niece Dena (Jeremy) and her children Carter, Morgan & Tyler and step-nephew Todd (Samantha). He is also remembered by his cousins and numerous friends.

A Celebration of Glen’s life was held in the Willmor Chapel, Glenboro, Mb on Friday October 20, 2023. Sharon Hamilton officiated with Glen’s nephew Justin Van Damme as urn-bearer. Memories were shared by brother Bill Shepherd and friends Alice Haithwaite and Jerry Liske.

If friends so desire, memoriams made me made in Glen’s memory to: Community Health & Housing, 1233 Rosser Ave., Brandon, Mb., R7A 0M1 or a charity of choice.

Rest easy Glen. Spread your wings, you’re free.

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