Ethel Rookes
September 1, 1928- March 3, 2023
As published in the March 13, 2023 World-Spectator
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 on Friday, March 3, 2023 at the age of 94 years.
Ethel was the daughter of James and Elsie Byers and was born in McAuley at the home of Mag Colquhoun on 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 the 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.
A service of remembrance will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Welwyn Cemetery.
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.
Carscadden Funeral Chapels, Virden and Moosomin in care of arrangements.
Indian Head RCMP investigating fatal collision
On May 2, 2024 at approximately 4 p.m., Indian Head RCMP received a report of a collision at the intersection of Highway #1 and Highway #606. Inve...
Fundraiser planned for Sam Burroughs
A fundraiser is being planned for June 1 in Moosomin to help out Sam Burroughs, who lost almost everything in a recent house fire. Ed Blondeau and ...
Moosomin Dam project complete
The $8.8 million upgrade to the Moosomin Dam that began last fall is officially complete—on time and within budget. “As of April, the installation...
-
Two charged in connection with murder of Brianna Hayes
-
Two arrested in connection with murder in RM of Moose Mountain
-
Loan guarantees in budget will create opportunities
-
Sask Volunteer Medal presented to Suzanne Eisler
-
Local delegates said lots of good info at SUMA convention
-
Fairness questioned in federal budget
-
700 attend grand opening for new Redvers Ag Kubota dealership
-
Legacy Pharmacies purchases Moosomin Pharmasave
-
Annual Fleming Pie Auction raises $8,700
-
Mayors weigh in on fall election
-
Age Friendly partnering with Moosomin & District Seniors Club on transportation project
-
Alex Bruce leaves $170,000 in bequests to local charities
-
Pharmasave donates $100,000 to Moosomin Airport Expansion
-
Family that helped many Ukrainians settle in Canada now needs help themselves
-
Out of $2,650,000 to be raised: fourth stage of airport fundraising at $ 1,746,514
-
RCMP take questions on recruitment, amalgamation, drugs and missing people
-
Megan Kelly pursuing her love of music
-
Saskatchewan growing at fastest rate ever
-
Teachers working to rule starting today
-
Rocanville pool refurbishment on track for summer construction
-
I’ve never been more proud of our little corner of the world
-
Skout Brewing ready to open this week
-
Town paving plan includes arena parking lot
-
IJACK gives $500,000 to airport project