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Blanche Pfund Obituary

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Blanche Pfund

THE PAS, MB

February 10, 1924 - August 27, 2016

Blanche Pfund Obituary

A 1924 model, Blanche Wakely Hall was born Sunday, February 10, 1924, the first of 6 siblings to William and Eva Hall, in Francis, Saskatchewan. Growing up the eldest child on the family farm, Blanche had the role as keeper of the house. She would often be put in charge of looking after the younger children and keeping the house in their parents absence. Being a natural caregiver, she took her role very seriously and excelled at it. At 18, after completing her 12th grade, Blanche left home and headed west to Vancouver to work as a housekeeper. From Vancouver, she joined the Army to help with the war effort. She received her training in Ontario and was discharged in Calgary at the end of the war. While in Calgary, Blanche worked at a greenhouse, which stared her love of horticulture. She would have a large garden full of flowers and vegetables and a house full of plants for many years to come. She always had a special place for her lilies, delphiniums, orchids and African violets. From Calgary, Blanche moved to Gleichen, Alberta to work as a cook on a ranch. While there, she met Joseph Pfund, whom she would go on to marry in 1949. They started their family in 1950 and had 4 children before moving to Mafeking in 1958. In Mafeking, Joe worked at the Inland Cement Quarry while Blanche stayed home and ran the household; cooking, sewing and gardening for her growing family. They made many life long friends in Mafeking and Blanche spoke highly of their time spent there. In 1965, Joe and Blanche started Pfund Trucking and in 1967 the family moved to Wanless. With a family and growing business, the Pfund residence became a hub of activity, with Blanche making endless meals and pots of coffee. Joe operated Pfund Trucking until the time of his passing in 1986. As a new widow, Blanche adjusted by having renewed interest in travelling, quilting and reading. She was involved in many community activities including the Wanless Community Church and the Rocky Lake Red Hats. Blanche was a unique individual, ahead of her time in many ways. Many people will remember her as the woman in the red snowsuit and safety vest who walked with her “mops” for stability in the winter. She shared her love of quilting with anyone who was willing to put the time and effort in, often supplying the materials herself. She would teach quilting out of her home to many people in Wanless or travel to neighbouring communities to teach there. Blanche took great pride in the perennial bed at the Wanless Church. She could often be found weeding, moving and splitting plants for hours. Her generosity was such that if someone liked something she had, she would not think twice about giving it away. Blanche loved her car. She loved to drive and her driving is still a thing of legend. She could often be found napping in her car on sunny summer days. She would take trips both near and far without reserve. Anytime she got in trouble, she could find her way out with the good Lord in the passenger seat and the kindness of strangers coming down the road. Blanche had a strong faith in the Lord and would often have the neighbourhood kids come read the Bible out loud before her own kids could go out to play. Reading was a large part of Blanche’s life. Her books were well used and well written in. In 2006 Blanche moved to Grande Prairie to live with her daughter, Suzanne. They enjoyed driving around looking at flowers and heading over to the Dairy Queen for ice cream on hot summer days. As her health deteriorated, Blanche moved into an assisted living home and finally into the Grande Prairie Care Home until the time of her passing. Blanche will be sadly missed by her children: Gilbert (Dawn) Pfund of Wanless, MB, Suzanne (John) Whyte of Grande Prairie, AB, Betty (Raymond) Nolette of Wanless, MB, Peter (Monique) Pfund of Wanless, MB; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchild; brothers Bert Hall of Fillmore, SK, Lloyd (Shirley) Hall of Fillmore, SK; sister Dorothy Duthie (Sherwood) of Weyburn, SK. Blanche was predeceased by her husband Joseph Pfund; parents William and Eva Hall; brothers Raymond Hall and Arthur Hall. In keeping with family wishes, cremation took place and a service of remembrance to celebrate Blanche’s life will be held this Saturday, October 8, 2016, 11:00 am at the Wanless Community Church, Wanless, Manitoba with James Hemauer presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wanless Community Hall, would be appreciated by Blanche’s family. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the Grand Prairie Care Home for the excellent care they provided to our mother in her time of need.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Blanche Pfund hosted by Hemauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Blanche Pfund.