Obituary of Winnifred "Winnie" Sparkman

SPARKMAN - Winnifred Audrey Sparkman of Melville and formerly of Swan River, beloved wife of Donald Sparkman, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at St. Peters Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Winnie (nee Issel) born in Melville, on April 21, 1940. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Donald, four children Donna (Leon), Debbie (Rick), Keith (Cindy), and Scott (Janice); nine grand children, two great grandchildren, Siblings Marie (Randy), Dale (Carol), Sister-in-laws Phyllis (Howard) and Lorraine (Dave) and numerous nieces and nephews. Winnie was predeceased by her parents Phillip and Julia Issel, mother and father-in-law Elspeth and George Sparkman; sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Bernard Hardman, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jeanette and Elmer Rathgeber, brothers-in-law Lloyd Sparkman, Kenny Sparkman and Chris Gelowitz. Winnie and her husband Donald moved several times over their 56 years of marriage from Melville, to Regina, to Matsqui, B.C. to Castlegar, B.C. to Swan River, MB; with their final journey taking them back to their roots in Melville. Winnie had many jobs over the years including school teacher, postal clerk, waitress, dental receptionist, bookkeeper, cook, and nurses aid. Her most important job of all was being an amazing, loving wife, mother and grandmother. Winnie loved dancing, baking, cooking, playing bingo, gardening and spending time with her family. The void that her passing will leave in our lives will be immense, but we will always have the memories of all of the wonderful times we shared together. She will be in our hearts forever. Arrangement were by Bailey's funeral and Cremation Care, Melville. Service Information Saturday, May 16th, 2015 2:00pm, Zion Lutheran Church - Melville Interment Details Melville Municipal Cemetery