Josephine Holdina Crampton
Peacefully on October 23, 2009 our mother passed away, with family by her side. Josephine (Jo) was born June 14, 1916 to Rudolph and Bertha (Massey) Zilkey. When Jo was 2, the family moved from the 1-6 District to the McFadden School District, north east of Manitou. Jo attended McFadden School, took her grade 9 at Plum Coulee and then completed high school at Manitou High School. She went to Winnipeg Normal School to acquire her 1st class teaching certificate. Her first teaching job was at Willow Bluff School, north west of Manitou.
Jo married Harold Crampton on November 2, 1940 at the St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, in the New Haven District. It was just a ½ mile from the family farm, on which they would settle. They raised a family of four, three daughters and one son.
Life on the farm was busy, but Jo was able to express her creativity through her love of gardening and enjoyment of flowers. She was an active member of the Manitou Horticulture Society, exhibiting and/or judging at many shows and fairs in southern Manitoba. She won many awards for her floral arrangements both locally and provincially. Jo took a keen interest in the New Haven Church and the Women’s Auxiliary. Jo was a leader for the Manitou Creative Kids 4-H Club. She was a generous and caring person, with a kind word for everyone. She was known for her great work ethic and zest for life. Other values she instilled in her children were faith in God, the value of volunteerism, a commitment to community, the value of family and friends and a love of nature. Jo’s talent for cooking was enjoyed by all. She made everyone welcome in her home and shared from the "stash" in the freezer. She was especially known for her "Morning Glory Muffins" and Sunday dinners. Jo took up ceramics and china painting as a hobby and each of her children and grandchildren has a piece of her lovely handwork.
Jo and Harold loved to travel, taking several trips to many places in Canada, U.S.A. and abroad. Jo was fond of her family and enjoyed their visits, especially the grandchildren. As the grandchildren grew and joined activities like baseball, hockey, ringette and drama, she could be found attending many of these events. She also enjoyed attending the Winnipeg Goldeyes games.
After Jo raised her family she returned to teaching for 7 ½ years at Manitou School. Mum and Dad moved to a smaller yard when Rodney returned to the farm. After Dad passed away (1995), Mum stayed there for a number of years until she moved to the Pembina Manitou 55 plus complex. In February of this year she moved to the Pembina Manitou Health Centre.
In later years her activities included playing cards with friends at the friendship centre or 55 Plus Complex, aerobics and floor curling. She cherished her many long term friendships, giving and receiving much joy. She was a blessing and example to all she knew, as well as a devoted wife, proud mother, grandmother and a loyal friend. She often said she had a rewarding life.
Jo was predeceased by Harold, her husband of almost 55 years, in July of 1955, her parents Rudolph and Bertha Zilkey; one son-in-law, Dale Roberts (1987), her sister Eva Bailey (2008), brothers Arnold (1989), Fred (1999), in-laws Clarence Bailey, Stewart and Mabel Crampton, Nina and Alf Strachan, Grant and Grace Crampton.
She will be dearly missed by her children: daughters Lal (Earl) Froebe of Homewood, Shirley (Dave) Zacharias of Miami, Harolyn (Cliff) Shewfelt of Bath, Ont., and son Rodney (Terry) of Manitou, ten grandchildren: Bruce (Jackie), Murray (Victoria), Carl (Maggie), Clinton (Lisa), Valerie (Doug), Geoffrey (Danielle), Mark (France), Karen, Patrick (Caddie), Tracy (Kyle), four step-grandchildren: Angela (Kevin), James (Lynda), Colleen (Matt), Mark (Rachel), and nine great grandchildren: Nathan, Lauren, Genevieve, Luke, Eva, Alex, Katelyn, Wrenly, Josephine, nine step great grandchildren: Danielle, Nicole, Steven, Michael, Mattias, Molly, Kohl, Cohen, Calvin, also sisters-in-law Isobel Zilkey, Margaret Zilkey, and also many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jo’s life was held on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the St. Andrew’s United Church, Manitou at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tim Morris officiating. Interment at New Haven Cemetery took place prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pembina Manitou Health Centre, Box 129, Manitou, MB R0G 1G0, or a charity of one’s choice.
Doyle’s Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Card of thanks
Words cannot adequately express our appreciation to the caregivers at Pembina Manitou Health Centre for the excellent care and compassion given to our mother over the last eight months. A special thank-you to the homecare workers and friends who helped and supported her during the last few years. We wish to express our heart felt thank-you to all, for the prayers, the support and the many acts of kindness shown to us during our recent bereavement, in the loss of our dear mother. Thank-you to Rev. Tim Morris, for officiating at the service, to the soloist Bonnie Froebe (Jo’s niece), to the organist June Stockford and to the A.C.W for the lovely lunch. We appreciate the services and concerns of Doyle’s Funeral Chapel.
The family:
Lal and Earl
Shirley and Dave
Harolyn and Cliff
Rodney and Terry
