David Orville Rasmussen

1944-2025

We are saddened to announce that David passed away suddenly at his home in Starbuck on November 18, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents Walter (2008) and Ruth (2001) and his brother-in-law Jim Shirtliffe (2020).

He is survived by his siblings: Ron Rasmussen (Gwen), Janice Shirtliffe and Darlene Miller. He is also survived by ten nieces and nephews and their families.

David was born in Winnipeg in 1944. He grew up on his parents’ farm in Dacotah and was an active farm partner with his parents and brother. He was a collector and had deep interests in history, cars and movies. When it was time for Trivial Pursuit, it was always best to be on David’s team.

In 2009, David bought and proudly moved into his home in Starbuck, where he thrived and was a friend to many.

Always young at heart, ‘Uncle David’ was a special uncle to two generations of nieces and nephews, all with lasting memories of his playfulness, wit and laughter.

David and his good friend Ben Russenholt were adventurers and community enthusiasts. In addition to two cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal, David and Ben were involved in everything happening in Starbuck and regularly traveled throughout southern Manitoba to participate in town events, festivals and fall suppers.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck on December 6 at 11:00am. Private interment will take place at a later date.

Celebration of Life Service

Time: Dec 6, 2025 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99530814796?pwd=sbKk9om9UblRN0tWYINVKSWRKDnpAa.1

Meeting ID: 995 3081 4796
Passcode: 271093

Donations in David’s memory can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on David’s memorial page using the comment field below.

Gary Galawan

May 1, 1955- November 14, 2025

With great sadness, we announce the loss of Gary Galawan, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 14th, 2025. 

Gary was a devoted father to Crystal Galawan and Bryan Galawan (Charlene), and a proud grandfather to Alex and Eva. He is survived by his sister Debbie McDowell, and half sisters Theresa Baumung, Gail Kaban, and Rosemarie Desautels.

Born on May 1, 1955, to Rose (Tkachuk) and Michael Galawan, Gary grew up in Winnipeg, where he formed lifelong friendships—most notably with Rick Moore (Sharon). Gary, along with Rick, and a few others of his Gordon Bell high school friends loved riding their motorcycles— Gary on his cherished Goldwing. His passion for music and stereos began early; at 18, he and his friends built handmade speakers, which he used while sharing his love of music as a DJ at local socials and dances.

He built a long and dedicated career with CP Rail, where he was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and camaraderie. His time their forged friendships that lasted decades.

In his retirement years, Gary found happiness on his motorcycle. He embraced the open road, taking trips through the Rocky Mountains, across the United States, and enjoying special getaways to Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, and Arizona. A passionate Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan, he was known for his strong opinions, heartfelt letters, sharp wit, and his unwavering pride in his Ukrainian heritage. True to his Winnipeg roots, he loved finding a good deal and cherished sharing meals in the company of family.

He was a 45-year resident of West St. Paul, where Gary was an advocate for his community. He welcomed neighbours with warmth, and a friendly word for anyone passing by. In his later years, he showed profound devotion as a loving son while caring for his elderly father and stepmother, Stephanea.

Gregarious and warm, with a voice that could fill any room, Gary was a pillar of strength to his friends—a steady port in any storm. His presence, humour, and generosity will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

It was Gary’s request that no service be held in his honour, but his children ask that you take a moment to celebrate his life in your own way—whether that be raising a glass, enjoying food from your favourite Chinese restaurant, or even sharing a classic complaint about the CPR or your local government.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Gary’s memorial page using the comment field below.

Melanie Leah Sandy

September 30, 1981 – November 10, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Melanie Leah Sandy, 44, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, on November 10, 2025. She was born on September 30, 1981, in Roseau, Minnesota, to Sharon Sandy and the late Krist Kleven.

Melanie is survived by her mother, Sharon Sandy; Melanie’s children; Cheyenne Sandy, Chenelle Sandy, Matthew Sandy, and Leah Sandy; Siblings Tanya Sandy (Sister), Basil Greene (Brother), and Michelle Sandy (Sister) and a large, loving extended family. Melanie is predeceased by her son, Kristopher Sandy, father, Krist Kleven, grandparents Adeline Sandy and Frank Sandy Sr., Howard Kleven and Shirley Kling. 

Melanie always did things her own way, when she was small her dad bought her a mini three-wheeler and her father adjusted the speed on the motor to go slow and she was smart enough to watch her dad adjust it and afterwards she changed the speed to the fastest it could be.  Tanya remembers seeing this little kid flying past on that little yellow 3-wheeler at full speed, she flipped her 3-wheeler.

Her siblings recalled a time when there was a mouse problem in the old log cabin, a mouse ran past Melanie.  Melanie went and grabbed a 30-30 gun bigger than her at the time, and was going to shoot the mouse.  Her dad took the gun from her just in time. There was never a dull moment with Melanie.

Melanie expressed her creativity through beadwork, drawing, sewing, and playing guitar. She also had a gentle way with plants, tending them with love and patience.  She enjoyed the outdoors from a young age, she loved to hunt and fish and would go with her dad all the time.

A wake will begin Friday, November 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m., at E.J. Coutu’s, 680 Archibald Street, Winnipeg, MB., with a funeral service to follow on Saturday, November 29, 2025, 10 a.m. also at E.J. Coutu’s.

Officiant will be Pastor Robert Wittmeier from Kenora, Ontario.  Pallbearers will be Basil Greene, Warren Woodhouse, Mike Grant, Steve Silver, Lance Sandy and Justin Jones. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Meekis.

A special thanks to all those who stepped in to help. 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Melanie’s memorial page by using the comment field below.

Janet Lee Rosenby

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Janet Lee Rosenby. She was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother who left us on November 11, 2025. 

Janet had a feisty and eclectic personality. She liked to laugh, she loved watching scary movies and she never backed down from a debate – anything from soap operas to politics.

Janet had a flare for style that could be seen in the pride she had in her home, as well as the effort she put in to creating beautiful jewelry. Janet met so many people along the way in both her career as a therapeutic foster parent and the many art festivals she participated in. These passions and connections filled her life with purpose and joy.

Janet was born on July 7, 1952 in Missouri, but made Canada her home for the past 40 years.

Janet is survived by her daughter Michelle (Pat), her two sons Michael (Kaeri) and Matthew, her grandchildren Canaan (Anthony) and Jeremiah, her great granddaughter Autumn, as well as her siblings Allen (Vickie), Ellan (Robert), Lisa (Mark) and Michael, along with their children and grandchildren.

Longer obituary to follow.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Janet’s memorial page using the comment field below.

Reginald Stanford Oigg

December 2, 1936 – September 4, 2025

Peacefully on September 4th 2025, Reginald Stanford Oigg passed away with family by his side at Gimli’s Johnson Memorial hospital. 

Born December 2nd 1936 at Fisher River Cree Nation, where he lived until his parents pulled him from the residential school, and headed to Birch Point Mill. 

What his brothers said started as a joke, Stan and the twins worked pushing the empty log carts up from the harbour back to the mill. The bosses quickly realized how hard the boys worked and actually hired them on. 

Later on in his teen years, Stan would go to work at the fishing camp on Blackfox Island doing whatever it took to earn money from Bluestoning the nets and making wooden net boxes and boxing anchors for the fishermen. 

Stan had many jobs in his life, from working the whitefish boats, boxing nets to reset, cutting pulp wood, and becoming a commercial fisherman.

The jobs he talked most fondly of were, helping Bill Whiteway by rowing the boat out to the nets daily, across at Barney’s point and other areas in the narrows region, and prospecting with Miles Bell and his father Hannes up and down the east side of Lake Winnipeg.   

Stan got together with his future wife Brenda Lea of Matheson Island, where they raised their children Cameron and Samantha Nicole together, and also commercial fished until his retirement.  

When Brenda’s health issues forced her to move to Winnipeg for treatment, Stan went with her to try his best to take care of her. As her condition worsened, she convinced him to move back home, so that seeing her declining health would not be so hard on him. Brenda passed in 2014. 

Once back on the island he quickly adopted his sons dog Dutchess which he called Justice, who he spoiled for the rest of his time on the island.   

Stan had many hobbies to keep himself busy. He enjoyed working with his hands. He created many beautiful miniature log cabins/houses. He was a skilled carver and could be found carving wooden and rock figures while sitting on his front deck. 

Stan was eventually diagnosed with Dementia and early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This robbed him of his love for his hobbies, his memory for storytelling, but most of all, his independence. It led to his children making the difficult decision of placing him in the Arborg PCH, for the remainder of his life.

Stan is survived by his daughter Samantha Nicole (Rick), son Cameron (Ellen), and grandson Austin. He is predeceased by his parents Percy and Flora, brothers Robert, Roddy, Morris, Lawrence, Arthur, Victor, Stanley, Hubert and sisters Mabel and Elsie. Also predeceased by daughter in-law Crystal. 

A special thank you to the staff at Johnson Memorial and Percy E. Moore hospitals for their care over the last month of Stan’s life, and to the Arborg PCH for his care over the last two years. Also, a huge thank you to Connie and Brent Smith, Cyndi and Pat Devaney for all of their assistance caring for Stan on the island.

Cremation has taken place and a Potluck Celebration of life will be held at the Matheson Island Community Hall on Sunday November 30th 2025 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Stan’s memorial page using the comment field below.