Lawrance Bartley Beals

Bartley Beals 1953 – 2018

Bartley was born in Birch River Hospital on July 9, 1953.  He was the youngest child of Harold and Ida (Cooper) Beals. He grew up on the farm northeast of Bowsman and attended Brierley School. His parents retired in 1968 and moved to Bowsman.  Bartley went to school in Bowsman and then Swan River.

He did some farming then started driving trucks, doing road construction in the summer and hauling wood in the winter. 

He met Myrna at the Swan River Rodeo in 1973. They were married October 8, 1977 and settled in Minitonas in 1978. 

Life was busy and fun. Bartley raced chuck wagons in the summer and took his trucks to Berens River to haul wood in the winter. 

Bartley and Myrna started their own family with Bradley born in 1980, Terrence in 1982 and Crystal in 1983. More busy. More fun.

In the 90s Bartley drove trucks in the Valley so he was closer to home. He had saddle horses and a team for the wagon and sleigh. Bartley and Myrna went on trail rides, spending many happy miles looking at the back side of Waylon and Willie. 

Bartley coached baseball and hockey, planted over 1,000 trees at home, grew flowers, fruits and vegetables.  He enjoyed music and dances, going for coffee, sports, horse rides and games with grandchildren, travel, Christmas lights, barbecues, and toasted tomato sandwiches. He served a term as Mayor of Minitonas, was an inaugural member of Minitonas Lions and later joined Bowsman Lions, always taking the time to enjoy horses.

When LP opened he started working there. He liked his job and was happy working close to home. His plan was to work at LP until he was 65. 

His health problems started in July 2012. He faced a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis and Cancer. He did it with unimaginable strength and dignity; always thankful for what he was able to do and grateful for the help from family, friends and healthcare providers. He never spent time feeling sorry for himself. He was courageous beyond measure. 

He got to spend the last days with Brad, Terry and Crystal having a few laughs, saying I love you, thank you and good-bye.  He held Myrna's hand until his last breath.

Although there would always be one more trail to ride, Bartley lived and died with no regrets. 

He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Ida, father in law Clarence Krumm, brother Glenn, brother in law Jim Coulter; siblings, Irene 1939, Yvonne and Frederick 1949.

Left with precious memories are his loving family; Myrna, Bradley and Mandi; Terrence, Dayle and Nicholas; Crystal, Brendan, Cooper and Madeline Steele. Elizabeth Beals, Dorothy Coulter, Keith and Germaine Beals, Thelma Lussier, Madeline Krumm, Maureen and Bill Redlick, Wendy and Denis Ryan, Stewart and Brenda Krumm, Lori and Ken Kereluik. He also leaves many many other relatives: aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  

Friends please consider yourself part of Bartley's family.

A Celebration of Life was held at the Veterans Hall, Swan River, Manitoba on Monday, July 9, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. A private family interment will be held at a later date.

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