EDWARDS: It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our father Leonard Rising Edwards on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg. Len was born on November 2, 1913 on the family farm in Kemnay, Manitoba, the son of John and Alice Edwards. He grew up and attended school in Kemnay. Following his schooling he helped his parents on the family farm. As a young man he enjoyed sports, especially baseball and hockey in the Kemnay area. Len was a determined, hard working and resourceful man who was able to repair anything. Len was sought after by friends and neighbours to assist with repairing or rebuilding motors. He joined the Air Force in WWII where he was trained as an airplane mechanic and served in various Air Force bases in Canada but mainly in Rivers Air Base north of Brandon. After the war Len returned to farming, and eventually took over the family farm in Kemnay where he worked the land until he was 75 years old. In the 1950's he also worked as a mechanic at MacArthur's in Brandon during the winter. Following this he was employed as a transit driver with the Brandon Transit department. Len was a hard working person who held down two jobs most of his life. He was never too busy, however, to help his neighbours fix their tractor or combine or whatever else needed repairing. As the years progressed Len enjoyed gardening in his back yard and meeting with his coffee group to solve the world's problems. Len enjoyed family and friendships made during his associations with the Curling Club, singles group and the dance club in Brandon. He was a daily fixture at the curling club, eventually becoming its oldest active member. He enjoyed dancing and seldom missed an opportunity to participate in activities of the Brandon dance club in which he served as President for a number of years. He was also a past president of the South End Community Centre and for a number of years supervised the teen dances there. Len continued to live at home into his nineties until a stroke took away his independence and he moved to Deer Lodge in Winnipeg to be closer to family. Len is survived by sons; Brian (Elsie) of Winnipeg, Glen (Jill) of Thunder Bay Ontario, four grandchildren; Allison BourrT (Cam), Jason Edwards of Winnipeg, Jeff (Heidi) of Anchorage Alaska, and Christine Ruppenstein (Jorge) of Fort Frances Ontario; five great grandchildren Tanner, Emma and Easton Edwards, Monika Ruppenstein and Ainesleigh BourrT; sister; Dolly Bond, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers; Jack, Tom and Gordon, and sister; Daisy McLeod, daughter-in-law Carol, and the mother of his children, Doris. A service to celebrate Leonard's life will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, Brandon on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:00 am. Rev. Chris Arthur will officiate. Interment will follow in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Flowers are gratefully declined. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of Leonard to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 2B3 or to a charity of their choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com . Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.
Memorials
Bdn. Regional Health Centre Foundation