Obituary of Stanley George Evans

EVANS: Stanley George Evans, beloved husband of the late Violet Evans, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at the age of 93 years. Stan George Evans was born on January 2, 1917 in Dauphin, Manitoba to parents Alexander and Christena (Ewaskiw) Ewaniczuk. He started his life in the farming area around Gilbert Plains and later moved to Winnipeg. Upon completing school Stan went to work for Canadian Pacific Railway. Once war broke out Stan joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, attaining the rank of Corporal, and was stationed at various locations in the east. Among them was Gander, Newfoundland where he met his future wife Violet Eleanor Klages. They were married in Desboro, Ontario on December 24, 1944 while on leave from the Air Force. After the war Stan and Violet returned to Winnipeg and Stan went back to work for the Canadian Pacific Railway as an Express Messenger. Stan did a lot of travelling with the railroad, and being a romantic at heart, he would send Violet postcards and letters from different locations. In 1951 Stan decided that he needed a change and purchased a Dry Cleaning business in Rivers, Manitoba and moved his young family there. He soon realized that the dry cleaning business was not for him and in 1953 moved his family to Brandon where Stan went to work for Northern Auto Parts as a travelling salesman. He moved on to Canadian Motors, selling Ford parts over southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan. In later years he took over as manager of the body shop with Canadian Motors and remained there until his retirement at age 67. He was the first employee to retire from Canadian Motors. Summers were spent at their cabin at Oak Lake where they developed an active social life and perfected their love of renovating. After retirement Stan and Violet returned to Winnipeg to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They spent 2 years in Winnipeg and found they were spending more time with their friends in Brandon than in Winnipeg so decided to return to Brandon. Stan and Violet enjoyed travelling. Summer holidays consisted of touring through Canada and the United States with the kids in tow. Upon retirement they purchased a motor home and they would take their grandchildren with them on various trips. You would often see them taking off in the summer to go north fishing or visiting relatives in Montana. Stan was an active member of the Associated Canadian Travelers. Stan joined the Masons 50 years ago and worked his way up to join the Khartum Temple Shrine Club. He spent many years with the Brandon Shrine Club as a member of the Oriental Band. Stan and his wife Violet attended many parades with the Oriental Band as well as Shrine functions throughout Manitoba and the United States. Stan drove the Shriners' Cancer Van between Brandon and Winnipeg and received letters of appreciation for his care and consideration. Stan was always a wisecracker whose sharp wit and easy laugh touched anyone who ever shared in a conversation. Stan is predeceased by his wife Violet Eleanor (Klages) Evans in 2007, father Alexander Ewaniczuk in 1969, mother Christena (Ewaskiw) Ewaniczuk in 1973, brothers Joseph (Helen) Ewaniczuk, Walter (Gloria) Evans and Russell Evans and sisters Anne Ewaniczuk, Eileen (Billy) Boychuk, Josephine (John) Taylor, and Alice (Elmer) Workman. Stan is survived by his daughter Dianne (Nick) Pawlik of High Level, AB and sons Garry (Patricia) Evans of Calgary, AB, Cory (Doris) Evans of Winnipeg, MB and Murray (Lei Anne Sharratt) Evans of Onanole, MB; grandchildren Kristen (Blake) Howe of Nanaimo, BC, Danielle (Marty) Thompson of Lake Country, BC, Craig Evans of Calgary, AB, Nancy Green (Bill Rodger) of Ste. Anne, MB, Jordan Evans of Winnipeg, MB; Great Grandchildren Kane Thompson, Dusty Howe and Noah Thompson; sisters Frances (Myron) Muzik, Gloria (Tony) Brady and Haloria Cockle; and many nieces and nephews. A private family service was held with Rev. Chris Arthur officiating. Interment took place in the Veterans' Section at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Stan may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1529 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A6.