Donavon Norman Collins

            After a brief illness, Donavon Norman Collins, passed peacefully on November 25, 2020 at the Neepawa Health Centre (Memorial Hospital), Neepawa, Manitoba with family by his side and in attendance virtually.

            Don will be lovingly remembered by his children, Randy (Judy), Brent (Ginny), Jan, Nancy (Dwight), Dianne (Martin) as well as his cherished grandchildren Richard, Heather, Chase (Katie), Lane, Ty, Jennifer, Dia (Mike), Tom (Laura), Lindsay (Curtis), Chantal and Ben, and great grandchildren Owen, Evan, Madalyn, and Clive.  Don will also be missed by his sister-in-law Jeanette Donnelly (Barry); brother-in-law Lloyd Lobb (Lorraine), and many nieces and nephews.

            Don was predeceased by his wife Vivian in 2006; daughter Brenda Schettler in 2012; son-in-law Grant Schettler in 2017; three sisters Eileen Sigurdson, June Ferguson, and Gwen Ferguson; brother-in-law Jim Ferguson; parents George and Mildred Collins; and parents-in-law Tom and Stella Lobb.  

            Donavon Norman Collins was born on March 6, 1927 at Darlingford, Manitoba to George and Mildred (nee Spencer) Collins; a baby brother for his three sisters – Eileen, June, and Gwen.  The family moved to the Ogilvie, Manitoba area in 1937 after having purchased a farm there.

            Don met the love of his life, Vivian Lobb, when she boarded with the Collins family after coming to the area to teach at Winchester School.  They married on August 21, 1948. Don and Vivian worked together tirelessly on the farm they purchased from Don’s parents in 1952 while raising their six children. Vivian’s passing in 2006 was a major adjustment for Don.  He remained on the farm continuing to enjoy daily visits with family, neighbours, and friends offering coffee at his home every morning.  He joined the Arden Crocus Club, and also started going for coffee in Plumas and Gladstone.  In 2011 Don sold the last of his cattle but continued to actively grain farm until he sold the farm to his oldest grandson, Tom.

            Transitioning from the farm to town living in Gladstone, MB went fairly smoothly.  He continued with the activities he was already doing, and joined the Gladstone Senior Centre where he enjoyed shuffleboard with the ladies and other activities.  Don had some new experiences when friends took him to Portage Terrier and Neepawa Native hockey games, the Assiniboine Downs in Winnipeg, and the Casino in Carberry.  Don continued to help with the farming for as long as he could by running errands, and driving the combine, grain truck or other equipment.

            As Don’s mobility decreased, friends visited and would pick Don up to take him to coffee and for outings for which he was truly grateful.  

            Don’s family wish to express their appreciation and thanks to his many friends who were so good to him; to Shirley, Kerry Lynn, and the other health care workers who took such great care of him while he was living at the Centennial Apartments; and to Doctor Kelly and the nursing staff at the Neepawa Health Centre (Memorial Hospital) during his recent illness.

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