Interlake Cremation & Memorial Services
Helping families make informed decisions at difficult times.
September 18, 1998 – May 15, 2025
With profound sadness, the family announces the passing of Siarra at the age of 26 years.
A service of remembrance will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. at E.J. Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald Street.
If friends so desire, donations in memory of Siarra may be made to AFM, 1031 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB. R3G 0R8.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Siarra’s memorial page using the comment field below.
Carol Elaine Litman born May 13, 1972 was a wild and loving mother, kokum, partner, daughter, sister and friend. At the age of 52, she started her journey to the spirit world on February 16, 2025 after a long and strong fought battle with cancer.
Carol grew up with her parents; Mary & Ron Litman and her two older sisters; Shirley & Donna. She was the wild one, ever since childhood, always screaming and running around. As a child she would spend time out in Langruth, MB, where she would try to ride the pigs at her family’s home. At the age of 19 she met Leon and they started a family, first giving birth to Miranda at the age of 20, a few months later she became pregnant with her son; Tyrel, followed by Jolena and then finally her baby; Sereena. When her children were young, Carol and her family had spent much of their time out in Amaranth, MB, where she was welcomed by many family and friends, who recall her always cooking over the fire, making sure everyone felt welcome and had something to eat. Her love language was a warm hug, a big smile and a full belly. After many years her and Leon had separated, and she did her very best as a single mother raising her children who grew to have her wild side, temperament, stubbornness and strong opinions. She raised her children with love and understanding and no matter what, was always their number one support.
In 2009, Carol had met and fell in love with Gary. They had spent the past 15 years together, always hosting gatherings for their friends and family, providing an endless amount of fun and laughter, and as always ensuring everyone ate and had a place to sleep. She was a woman you could not say no to.
Carol became a kokum to her first granddaughter; Annabelle at the age of 42. She loved being a koko and helping to raise her grandchildren. Annabelle’s first time crawling was with her koko. 5 years later she had welcomed in 2 more grandchildren. Luca (Sereena & Kamil), her only grandson, who she welcomed into the family with open arms, when together, they were inseparable. Then there was Mackenna, her little partner in crime, always stuck to her hip.
Carol took in many as her surrogate family; Cam & Cara and their two daughters; Brooklynn & Bailey, also one of her best friends Becky and her ‘baby’ Carmella.
Carol was always full of fun and laughter, she enjoyed her music and dancing around. Being a mother and a koko meant the world to her, it’s what kept her fighting. She was a big kid at heart. You would catch her always playing with the kids, making a mess and having fun. Her laugh was contagious and her howl was unforgettable. Always the life of the party, she will be missed by many.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Carol’s memorial page using the comment field below.
December 9, 1949 – February 16, 2025
In Loving Memory of Germaine Marguerite (Anderson) Desjardins
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Germaine (Anderson) Desjardins, who left this world on February 16, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend who touched the lives of so many with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love.
Born in Val-d’Espoir, Quebec, Germaine grew up with a deep sense of compassion and resilience. She dedicated her life to her family, always putting them before herself and ensuring that her home was filled with warmth, laughter, and unconditional love. Germaine was an amazing mother, a talented cook, and a gifted gardener. She baked award-worthy chicken pot pies, and her garden was a reflection of her nurturing spirit—always blooming, always full of life. Though she had no grandchildren of her own, she poured her love into the family pets, treating them as if they were her own grandbabies—spoiling them with treats, affection, and endless care.
She is survived by her husband, Leon, and her children, Christine (Curtis) and Jamie. Germaine is also remembered by her sisters, Claudette Gingras and Blandine Anderson, extended family, and dear friends, all of whom were blessed to have known her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Amanda (Berthelot) Anderson; and her daughter, Melanie, whom we find comfort in knowing she has now reunited with in eternal peace.
We will gather to honor her memory at a celebration of her life, which will take place at 11 AM on March 29, 2025, at St. Charles Catholic Parish in Winnipeg.
Thank-you to all our family and friends who visited Germaine while in hospital; in addition to all the staff at Beausejour Hospital for their excellent care and compassion during her final days.
Your presence was a blessing and a gift we will forever cherish. Though our hearts ache in your absence, we find solace in knowing that your spirit will live on in each of us. We will love and miss you always. xxx
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Germaine’s memorial page by using the comment field below.
February 1, 1959 – September 13, 2024
After a very brief illness, suddenly on September 13, at his residence in East Selkirk, Randal (Randy) Alexander Babisky passed away at the age of 65.
Randy was born in Selkirk February 1, 1959 and raised in Lockport. He first met Donna in the early 80’s while working at Red River Brick & Tile Plant, and a connection between them was made, but it didn’t last and they soon parted ways. Randy then left his job to return to school to obtain his welding license. In the early 90’s the strong connection Randy and Donna felt for each other had reunited them back together and they became soul mates and have been inseparable ever since.
Randy and Donna were married March 4, 1994 and moved to East Selkirk setting up their permanent residence. When an injury forced Donna to give up her job, Randy took it upon himself to build her a kitchen of her dreams so she could start up her own business and work from home and they had been enjoying the life they made for each other for over 30 years until his untimely passing.
Randy was an avid outdoorsman and thoroughly enjoyed fishing, especially ice fishing with Donna and his close fishing partners. In his earlier days, he also enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling as well as working around the yard and keeping it well maintained!
Randy recently retired in January from New Flyer Industries where he was employed as a welder for over 30 years making numerous friends and fishing buddies along the way. After he retired he never stopped working and puttering around the yard and even took over the weeding and gardening and spent a lot of time helping Donna in her kitchen.
Although he was on the quiet side, Randy had a great sense of humour without a mean streak in his body, which made it easy to make very close friends, those being Steve, Ray, Roger, Jim, Art & Mike who he most recently lost which hurt him deeply, and all the friends he made on his life’s journey, too many to mention but you know who you are.
Randy was predeceased by his grandparents Winifred & Fred, parents Mabel & Gerald, Brother Brent, Uncle Jack, and Aunts Marjorie, Betty & Laura.
Randy leaves to mourn his soul mate of over 30 years Donna-Marie and his fur baby Shasta who is missing her walking/play buddy, both are devastated. Also missing him dearly, is his Brother Larry, Aunts Lynne, Kelly, Myrna & numerous cousins. Randy also leaves his extended family Brian and Cathy Krut & family, and Brent Krut & family.
Have a pleasant journey “sweet cheeks” till I meet you on the other side and save a “Tim’s” for Steve and I! Luv ya D
Cremation has taken place as per Randy’s request and no formal service will be held.
He Is Not Gone
Ease your grief, he is not gone,
For in your heart, he lingers on.
His smile, his laugh, his special way,
Will comfort you, from day to day.
You’ll feel his presence in the breeze,
That dances gently, through the trees.
And it’s his face that you shall see,
When you’re in need of company.
At any time, you can recall,
The love you shared…you saved it all.
And in time, more than anything,
You’ll find peace in remembering.
Family and friends are welcome to share memories and condolences on Randy’s memorial page using the comment field below.
May 21, 1934 – February 25, 2024
Surrounded by love, Art passed away peacefully at age 89 on Sunday morning at Health Sciences Centre.
He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Leonore, daughter Corinna (Jerry), son Derek (Angie), and 3 grandsons Ryan, Matthew and Jack, as well as siblings Elsie, Hilda, Melita, Linda and brother-in-law Jake and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his sister Wanda, brother Alvin, sisters-in-law Herta and Anne, and brothers-in-law Henry, Peter, Hassan and Jack.
The middle of 7 siblings, Art was born on May 21, 1934 to Lena and William Peters in Mather, Manitoba. After taking his first 10 years of education here, followed by an attempt to farm for 5 years, he decided to become a teacher and in 1956, he was off to the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, where he graduated from Grade 12 in 1958.
After graduating from Teachers’ College in 1959, he began summer school classes and evening classes at the University of Manitoba and, in this way, managed to obtain his B.A. in 1964 and B. Ed. in 1972, while he was teaching at the same time. He started his teaching career in a one-room, grades 1-9 classroom setting in Edinburg, MB, and the following years grades 5-9 in a two-room school at Arnaud, MB. From 1961-89, he was employed with a few schools in the Transcona Springfield School Division, during which time he was involved in all grades from 5-9, however, 17 of these years were at the Junior High level.
During these teaching years, he left Canada for 4 years – 1965-69. The first year, on a Voluntary Service assignment with Mennonite Central Committee, he worked in various capacities at Boys’ Village in Smithville, Ohio, a correctional home and school for boys between the ages of 13-18. Following this he went to Europe where he travelled for one year, exploring about 12 different countries. In the 3rd and 4th year of his “out-of-Canada” experience, he had 2 great years teaching grade 5 at the Frankfurt International School in Germany. While teaching here, on July 12, 1968, he married Leonore Ewert, who was a member of the Berlin Mennonite Church in Germany. She was an exchange student whom he met while he was at Smithville, Ohio.
In 1969, they moved to Winnipeg where he continued his teaching career, from which he retired in 1989. Not yet ready to fully retire, he worked in security with Inner-Tec Security until 1999 and then officially began his retirement. During this time, he took off a few months to recover from open heart surgery, a triple bypass operation in December 1994.
Two wonderful children joined the family, Corinna in 1970 and Derek in 1972. Corinna and her husband Jerry, with their two boys Ryan and Matthew, live in Winnipeg. Derek, his wife Angie and son Jack live in Surrey, BC. He loved them dearly, and saw them as a great blessing, pride and joy in his life.
In their VW camper, the family enjoyed many years of camping at dozens of campsites in Manitoba, also travelling coast to coast in Canada and in the USA. In retirement, Art and Leonore vacationed abroad in Hawaii, Cancun, Puerto Plata, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Germany.
In addition to camping, travelling and gardening, he was an avid Blue Bomber fan as evidenced by the 51 years he was a season ticket holder, and football dominated a good part of many summers.
As an 18-year-old, he felt the need to personalize his faith and dedicate himself to God. As he reached up, God reached down and His love transcended through his body and soul. He was baptized upon this unwavering faith on June 7, 1953 in the Crystal City Mennonite Church by Bishop G.G. Neufeld from the Whitewater Church. Over the years his faith matured as challenges and successes accompanied him on his journey. However, there never was any doubting or denying that moment of truth and decision. This strength, love and assurance of hope was implanted for a lifetime. His membership was transferred to the Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship in May 1970.
Being part of FGMF since 1970 has provided important meaningful spiritual enrichment and support over all these years. Here he had the opportunity to serve in numerous ways: worship leading, doing sermons, children’s stories, Adult Ministries Committee, Planning Committee, and Historian. There was never a time he didn’t look forward to Sunday morning worship and Sunday school. In addition to songs, prayers, stories and sermons, the social aspect of activity and involvement were enjoyable and uplifting.
Since moving to Bethel Place in 2016, he contributed in various ways to the life of this community. He enjoyed meeting new friends and appreciated the entertainment/presentations offered in the MPR. His Christmas lights, tomato plants and flowers on the balcony were enjoyed by everyone who entered the building.
Art touched countless lives. He made you feel at ease and gave you his full attention. A small man bursting with love of life and love for others. He leaves behind memories that will forever be cherished by his family and friends.
We are grateful that he is now at peace.
The family would like to thank Stephanie Lelond at CancerCare and the doctors, nurses and aides in the ER and GB2 wing at Health Sciences Centre for their care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship, 150 Bayridge Avenue, in Winnipeg. A Faspa (light lunch) will follow in the lower level of the church.
The service will be available online via Zoom with this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/158787495
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
1160 – 675 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9
204-787-4143
support.cancercarefdn.mb.ca/memorialdonation
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Arthur’s memorial page using the comment field below.
