Obituary of Alma Evelyne Kearns

KEARNS: Alma Evelyne Kearns (September 17, 1914 – November 13th 2010). The family of Alma Kearns of Brandon, MB are sad to announce her passing on Saturday, November 13, 2010. After breaking her hip in August of 2009, Alma endured a prolonged illness in the Assiniboine Centre where she was cared for wonderfully by the 4th floor geriatric staff. Alma was born in Reston, Manitoba on September 17, 1914. The Fumerton family moved to Treherne when Alma was six. In these formative years she was very active enjoying tap dance, snow-shoeing and tennis. She went to school in Treherne, where at the age of 17, Alma acquired a part time job with the Manitoba Telephone System. In 1938, as war loomed, she took full time employment as a telephone operator at Winnipeg Beach and the city of Winnipeg. During this time she took a course at Success Business College. On March 17, 1942 she married Wes Kearns and they moved to Saskatoon where Wes trained with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Following Wes's posting to Gander in 1943, Alma went to work as a stenographer at Aronovitch and Leipsic, a real estate and insurance company in Winnipeg. In 1948, Alma and Wes moved to Brandon where he got a job with the Manitoba Hydro. In 1950, she gave birth to a son, Dwight, followed three years later by another son, Michael. While raising her kids, she built up a self-employed drapery window covering business and sub-contracted much of her work to Doigs and Eatons. She enjoyed curling, where she had success skipping many of her teams to various bonspiel victories in western Manitoba. Alma loved to golf with her friends at the Brandon Golf and Country Club and at Clear Lake. She was a life time member of the Clear Lake Ladies Golf Club. Over a two-week time period she made holes' in one on the 17th and 3rd holes at the Wasagaming course. Upon retirement, Wes and Alma spent time at their cabin at Clear Lake and their coach in Palm Springs. In Palm Springs, Alma, being young at heart, joined the tap dance club and the outdoor shufflers. She thoroughly enjoyed marshalling at the Dinah Shore Classic in Palm Springs. Wes passed away in 1983. In 1987, Alma met Bill Shirard. They spent several years travelling and enjoying each other's company. One of Alma's proudest moments was standing up for Marcelle Mollot at her wedding. Marcelle and her daughters Hanna and Jillian were very dear to her. She also took great pleasure in her grandchildren, Ginger, Lacey and Raine, attending their numerous activities such as sports and dance recitals. Alma returned to Brandon in 2001 and resumed socializing and playing bridge with her old friends. Alma was predeceased by Wesley Kearns and survived by her children Dwight (Linda), Michael; her sister Shirley Whelen; her granddaughters Ginger, Lacey and Raine. A service for friends and family in memory of Alma was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, on Thursday November 18, 2010 at 11am with The Rev. Dr. Dong-Ha Kim of First Presbyterian Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, if friends wish, a donation may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, (Assiniboine Centre), 150 McTavish Ave. East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3. To view the video tribute or to place a message of condolence, please visit www.brockiedonovan.com. Expressions of sympathy may also be mailed to 32 Wellington Drive, Brandon, MB, R7B 2Y9.