Carol Boyes
Carol Boyes passed away in the company of family and friends in St. Anthony’s Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, Wednesday, November 6, 2013, after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Harry and Katie Klause welcomed their baby girl Carol Frances Klause into the world, Thursday, January 1, 1942, the New Year’s baby in Yorkton, SK. She spent her first five years on a farm at Springside, and then the family purchased a general store in nearby Theodore. The shop was crammed with needful household items, from ribbons to salt blocks to oatmeal, and the entire family had to work hard to make ends meet, so little Carol grew up behind the counter. At the age of 8, she had to come out from behind the counter. A secondhand piano was delivered to the house, and Carol was firmly informed that she would be starting lessons. The Gabel family (Katie’s side) was very musical, and it was simply expected that she would carry on without question. Carry on she did, although she confessed, not without some pushing back. Her duty and work ethic triumphed over youthful pigheadedness. She progressed quickly, soon playing in church. Outside of Theodore, a new era in music was dawning, and Carol taught herself chording in pop songs. This was outlandish behaviour for someone with classical training, but Carol was a bit of a renegade that way. She was, after all, a big Elvis fan. By Grade 11 in school, she had her Grade 10 in piano and all of her theory lessons, and had started working on her degree in piano when she shocked everyone by quitting music lessons. Upon graduation, Carol went to teacher’s college, and her first posting was in the small Saskatchewan town of Kelvington, where she was in charge of 43 students in her first year. More importantly, she met a young fellow named Colin Boyes: tall, handsome, and an excellent dancer. They were married August 14, 1963. A son, Scott, was born the next year, and they moved to the Boyes family farm. Carol had never pictured herself as a farm wife, but she was determined to learn. Her first buns were so hard, they were used for target practice. Her first attempt at perogies resulted in a murky soup. It seems that while her mother had been cooking at home, young Carol had been helping dad at the store. But Carol persevered, and she came to command a very good kitchen, and a huge garden. She also began teaching piano to a few local youngsters, just for pocket money. However, when pregnant again she developed toxemia, and was ordered to stay off her feet. She decided to use the time to work on her piano degree. She passed her exam in Saskatoon in early 1968, and the next day checked in to hospital for six weeks awaiting the birth of her daughter, Heather, who arrived April 2. In the following years, Carol became a wizard of a farmwife, even though the barn had running water before the house did. Her gardens never failed, the clothes were always ironed, and her meals were wonderful even when brought to the field in a wash basin. With children in hockey and figure skating, she spent a lot of time at the rink or on the road, but she and Colin did find time to enter many curling bonspiels with good friends, play cards late into the evening, host rousing sing-alongs in the piano room, and lightly weave through the crowds at wedding dances. In the 1970s, farming was getting tougher, so while Colin took jobs on highway crews, Carol bought a dress store in Kelvington. In 1982, they made a big move, buying a general store at Wanless, MB. Carol surprised some of the villagers with a sharp bark inside her mild demeanor, and it didn’t take long to earn not only respect, but some lasting friendships. She quickly became part of the social fabric of this tight-knit community, whether at bingos, cards or barbecues. Her friends, both near and far, were very dear. When the store didn’t pan out, Carol turned once again to piano, this time as a career. Six days a week, for nearly 30 years she taught hundreds of students in northern Manitoba, including lessons at the youth drop-in centre in The Pas. She insisted on sound fundamentals, but at the same time encouraged students to play what they loved. Her students were very important to her, and Carol continued to teach up until her illness was diagnosed this past summer. After Colin’s passing, she also became a Red Hatter, a vibrant group of women who created a great deal of enjoyment for Carol. A highlight of Carol’s life was a 2007 trip to Greece and Turkey, where she became enamoured of the white walls of Mykonos, the ruins of Troy, and the hallowed sites of ancient religions. She was the organist for the Lutheran Church and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #19. Throughout her life, Carol lived the values of tolerance, duty, hard work, and frugality – while always leaving room for some fun. Her kitchen still got rave reviews, now from grandchildren who made her very proud, and she composted every scrap to supplement her tiny, amazing garden . Carol would attend any function of her grandchildren’s that she could, or tromp though trails listening to tales. A fresh-caught fish was always welcome in her frying pan. A new apple for Carol’s eye entered the world this past April, her first great-grandchild, Emilia. She sewed and quilted and knitted for friends and family right to the end. Carol is survived by her son Scott and Kandi Boyes, grandchildren Duncan, Natasha, Erik and Connor of La Ronge, SK; daughter Heather and Vince McKinnon, grandchildren Tyler (wife Kylie, daughter Emilia), Matthew and Ranelle of The Pas, MB; brother Harold and Alda Klause of Saskatoon, SK; nieces Starla (Eric) Theriault and Kerri of Saskatoon; numerous other relatives, and cherished friends. Carol was predeceased by husband Colin, February 5, 1999; parents Harry and Katie; niece Treanne; father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert & Ellsy Boyes. In keeping with Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a service of remembrance to celebrate Carol’s life was held Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Westminster United Church, The Pas with James Hemauer presiding. Music Ministry: Linda Buchanan. Memories of the Heart: son Scott Boyes. Following the service, a reception was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, The Pas. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to A Port In The Storm Inc., 208 Provencher Blvd., Box 85, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2H 0G0. Hemauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, The Pas, were in care of arrangements. For online condolences visit www.hemauerfuneralhome.com.Obituary
Carol Boyes passed away in the company of family and friends in St. Anthony’s Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, Wednesday, November 6, 2013, after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Harry and Katie Klause welcomed their baby girl Carol Frances Klause into the world, Thursday, January 1, 1942, the New Year’s baby in Yorkton, SK. She spent her first five years on a farm at Springside, and then the family purchased a general store in nearby Theodore. The shop was crammed with needful household items, from ribbons to salt blocks to oatmeal, and the entire family had to work hard to make ends meet, so little Carol grew up behind the counter. At the age of 8, she had to come out from behind the counter. A secondhand piano was delivered to the house, and Carol was firmly informed that she would be starting lessons. The Gabel family (Katie’s side) was very musical, and it was simply expected that she would carry on without question. Carry on she did, although she confessed, not without some pushing back. Her duty and work ethic triumphed over youthful pigheadedness. She progressed quickly, soon playing in church. Outside of Theodore, a new era in music was dawning, and Carol taught herself chording in pop songs. This was outlandish behaviour for someone with classical training, but Carol was a bit of a renegade that way. She was, after all, a big Elvis fan. By Grade 11 in school, she had her Grade 10 in piano and all of her theory lessons, and had started working on her degree in piano when she shocked everyone by quitting music lessons. Upon graduation, Carol went to teacher’s college, and her first posting was in the small Saskatchewan town of Kelvington, where she was in charge of 43 students in her first year. More importantly, she met a young fellow named Colin Boyes: tall, handsome, and an excellent dancer. They were married August 14, 1963. A son, Scott, was born the next year, and they moved to the Boyes family farm. Carol had never pictured herself as a farm wife, but she was determined to learn. Her first buns were so hard, they were used for target practice. Her first attempt at perogies resulted in a murky soup. It seems that while her mother had been cooking at home, young Carol had been helping dad at the store. But Carol persevered, and she came to command a very good kitchen, and a huge garden. She also began teaching piano to a few local youngsters, just for pocket money. However, when pregnant again she developed toxemia, and was ordered to stay off her feet. She decided to use the time to work on her piano degree. She passed her exam in Saskatoon in early 1968, and the next day checked in to hospital for six weeks awaiting the birth of her daughter, Heather, who arrived April 2. In the following years, Carol became a wizard of a farmwife, even though the barn had running water before the house did. Her gardens never failed, the clothes were always ironed, and her meals were wonderful even when brought to the field in a wash basin. With children in hockey and figure skating, she spent a lot of time at the rink or on the road, but she and Colin did find time to enter many curling bonspiels with good friends, play cards late into the evening, host rousing sing-alongs in the piano room, and lightly weave through the crowds at wedding dances. In the 1970s, farming was getting tougher, so while Colin took jobs on highway crews, Carol bought a dress store in Kelvington. In 1982, they made a big move, buying a general store at Wanless, MB. Carol surprised some of the villagers with a sharp bark inside her mild demeanor, and it didn’t take long to earn not only respect, but some lasting friendships. She quickly became part of the social fabric of this tight-knit community, whether at bingos, cards or barbecues. Her friends, both near and far, were very dear. When the store didn’t pan out, Carol turned once again to piano, this time as a career. Six days a week, for nearly 30 years she taught hundreds of students in northern Manitoba, including lessons at the youth drop-in centre in The Pas. She insisted on sound fundamentals, but at the same time encouraged students to play what they loved. Her students were very important to her, and Carol continued to teach up until her illness was diagnosed this past summer. After Colin’s passing, she also became a Red Hatter, a vibrant group of women who created a great deal of enjoyment for Carol. A highlight of Carol’s life was a 2007 trip to Greece and Turkey, where she became enamoured of the white walls of Mykonos, the ruins of Troy, and the hallowed sites of ancient religions. She was the organist for the Lutheran Church and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #19. Throughout her life, Carol lived the values of tolerance, duty, hard work, and frugality – while always leaving room for some fun. Her kitchen still got rave reviews, now from grandchildren who made her very proud, and she composted every scrap to supplement her tiny, amazing garden . Carol would attend any function of her grandchildren’s that she could, or tromp though trails listening to tales. A fresh-caught fish was always welcome in her frying pan. A new apple for Carol’s eye entered the world this past April, her first great-grandchild, Emilia. She sewed and quilted and knitted for friends and family right to the end. Carol is survived by her son Scott and Kandi Boyes, grandchildren Duncan, Natasha, Erik and Connor of La Ronge, SK; daughter Heather and Vince McKinnon, grandchildren Tyler (wife Kylie, daughter Emilia), Matthew and Ranelle of The Pas, MB; brother Harold and Alda Klause of Saskatoon, SK; nieces Starla (Eric) Theriault and Kerri of Saskatoon; numerous other relatives, and cherished friends. Carol was predeceased by husband Colin, February 5, 1999; parents Harry and Katie; niece Treanne; father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert & Ellsy Boyes. In keeping with Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a service of remembrance to celebrate Carol’s life was held Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Westminster United Church, The Pas with James Hemauer presiding. Music Ministry: Linda Buchanan. Memories of the Heart: son Scott Boyes. Following the service, a reception was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, The Pas. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to A Port In The Storm Inc., 208 Provencher Blvd., Box 85, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2H 0G0. Hemauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, The Pas, were in care of arrangements. For online condolences visit www.hemauerfuneralhome.com.
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