Obituaries

Sadly, the family announces the passing of Christine Lowey, 91, of Alberton Township, Ont. on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Full announcement to follow.

While surrounded by love and prayers, our family's matron, Helena Sokil passed away at Hospice Renfrew on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 28, 2019. She was 81.

Helena is the beloved wife of the late John Sokil; and dearly loved and devoted mother of Judy Rempel of Winnipeg, Abe Deroche of Thunder Bay, Jeannie Doerkson and Jeannette Small, both of Fort Frances, Richard Sawatsky (late Mary) of Thunder Bay, and Lloyd Walker and Diane Walker (Garry Mills), both of Renfrew.

She is predeceased by a daughter, Shirley Welsh.

Virginia Rose Slowe, 90, of Fort Frances, Ont. passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019 at La Verendrye Hospital.

She was born on Jan. 19, 1929 in Bagley, Mn. to Carl and Grace Norlander.

Shortly after the war, she met Clifford Slowe and they were married on Oct. 11, 1949.

They moved all over the U.S. until settling at Bear's Pass. They enjoyed the lake life for over 30 years, spending many days in the garden and blueberry picking.

Gin was a master seamstress‚;she worked at Betty's briefly and her welding caps were sought after right across Canada.

It is with great sadness that the family of Archie Potson Jr. announces his passing on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at his home in Seine River First Nation.

Archie was born on June 10, 1981 in Fort Frances, Ont. to Archie and Geraldine Potson. He lived in Seine River First Nation most of his life. He worked as a firefighter before returning to school to study anthropology at Lakehead University.

Archie had a zest for learning and would study everything that interested him.

The world became a little less on Aug. 24, 2019, when Doug lost his courageous six-year battle with cancer.

Born on Dec. 30, 1944 in Emo, Ont., Doug forged a trail of laughter, friendship, and love from coast to coast (with a few international spots in between).

Jane Mary Snow, age 77 years, passed away with her family by her side on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.

Jane was born Nov. 28, 1941 in Fort Frances, the youngest daughter of Joseph and Irene Unger. She enjoyed her early days playing with her older sister and younger brothers and loved playing tricks on them.

She graduated from Fort Frances High School and during that time, she asked Herb Snow to be her Sadie Hawkins date, a date that never ended.

John Earl Patterson, 93, of International Falls, Minnesota, died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls.

John was born on July 7, 1926 to John A. and Jennie (McNevin) Patterson at the Northern Minnesota Hospital in International Falls. He was raised in Devlin and Burris, Ont. communities.

Sadly, the family announces the passing of Laurence “Larry” Buffington, 89, of Fort Frances, Ontario on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019.

A complete announcement to follow.

Nancy Ann Green passed away quietly with family by her side on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019 at Rainycrest Long Term Care after an unexpected illness.

Nancy was born in International Falls, Mn. on April 20, 1936.

Nancy grew up in Fort Frances attending school and completing her high school at Balmoral Hall in Winnipeg. A short time later, Nancy completed her professional training at Success Business College in Winnipeg.

It is with great sadness the family announces the sudden passing of Dale Duval, 54, of Lake of the Woods Twp, Ont. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019.

Dale was born Jan. 7, 1965 in St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, Man. to parents Dominic and Beverly Duval.

In 1990, the family moved from Winnipeg to Atikokan, Ont. then relocated to a small farm in Lake of the Woods Twp.

Dale had a great love for the outdoors, fishing, gardening, tending to the lawn, video games and listening to music where among some of things he loved to do.

After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Sharon Ann Strachan, 69, passed away peacefully with her husband and daughters by her side on Aug. 17, 2019.

Sharon was born June 21, 1950 in Fort Frances, Ontario to Clifford and Amelia Bruyere. Sharon grew up in a large family on Couchiching First Nation with numerous sisters and brothers.

Sharon married Murray on April 27, 1968 at Our Lady of Lourdes on Couchiching First Nation. They had a son, Craig, who passed away at a young age in a tragic accident.

It is with great sadness the family of Kathleen Louise Advent, 95, of Rainy River, Ont., announce her passing at the Rainy River Hospital on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 with her family by her side.

Kay was born January 30, 1924 in Pinewood, Ont., to parents Fanny and Thomas Chandler.

She attended school in Pinewood to Grade 8. She loved school and was an avid learner and was always up on current affairs. She then worked as a housekeeper and nanny for numerous families in the area.