Obituary of Julia Gray

GRAY- It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our mother, Julia Gray on Wednesday, March 26 at the Spiritwood Nursing Home. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Betty Bruner, Elaine Halvorson, Darryl (Janet) Gray; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; three sisters, Lauraine McKay, Ida Irwin, Agnes (Arnold) Hildebrand; one brother-in-law, Pastor Harold Gniewotta; numerous nieces and nephews. Mom was predeceased by her husband Walter in 1984; one great grandson Terron in 1998; her parents, Albert Swenson in 1966 and Betsy Swenson in 1952; her sisters, Signe Swenson, Gladys Wouters, Alma Peterson; her brother Marvin; two brothers in infancy; her father-in-law Bill Gray, mother-in-law Martha Agar; her brothers-in-law John Wouters, Bill McKay, Gordon Peterson, Fred Irwin, John Gray, Bernie Poliwezuk; her sisters-in-law Elsie Gniewotta, Marion Gray and Mildred Poliwezuk. Mom was born in the Ordale district on March 31, 1921. She moved to the farm just north of Shellbrook when she married Dad in 1942. They started a dairy farm in the late forties which continued to 1974 when they sold their herd. They continued to farm until 1984 when Dad died. Mom stayed on the farm until 2004 when she moved to town. Mom was happiest on the farm. She loved the animals, the birds, and her garden. Canning and sewing were also big parts of her life which she took pride in. She was proud of being on the farm for 62 years and even after moving to town she would reminisce about her life on the farm. We will cherish her memory and she will be missed. Her funeral was held on Monday, March 31 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Shellbrook with Pastor Doug Schmirler as officiant. Special music was provided by the Ordale Singers, and the eulogy was read by Darryl Gray. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Honeywood Heritage Foundation, or the Canadian Diabetes Association. Interment was in the Shellbrook Cemetery.