Freida Tolton

FREIDA TOLTON (GINTER)

OCTOBER 1, 1925 – FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Freida passed away on February 16, 2024, at the age of 98. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Sandra (Rob), granddaughters Cathy Jo (Kevin) and LoraLee (Jim), and great grandson Liam (Maddy).

Freida will be missed by her siblings Sef, Gertie, Harold (Alice), and sister-in-law Dawn. She was predeceased by her parents Michael and Agnes Ginter, her husband Wallace, siblings Bernhart, Linda, Alma, Milton and John, sister in laws Mary Aslin and Carol Ginter and brothers in law Ed Gellert, Rae Walter, Frank Friesen, Clayton (Edna) Tolton, Garnet (Phyllis) Tolton and Hayden (Joan) Tolton.

Mom was born on October 1, 1925, in Stefanowka, Poland. She immigrated to Canada on September 26, 1928, through Pier 21 in Halifax, NS with her parents and three siblings. They travelled to Taber, Alberta and lived with family until 1933. Then, her family settled in the Roaring River area on a farm near Minitonas. She attended elementary school at Roaring River, graduated Grade 12 from Duncan School in 1943, and then permit taught at McKinley School northeast of Birch River. In July 1944, she applied to attend Normal School in Winnipeg where she supported herself by waiting tables at Moore’s and Eaton’s restaurants at $.25/hr plus tips. Mom often spoke of V.E. Day on May 8, 1945, which ended WWII: “Everyone streamed into the streets and traffic was at a standstill. People were cheering, laughing, and hugging.” After graduating with a teaching certificate, her first teaching position was at Union Point, MB in 1945. The following year, she was offered a job at Otterburne West School (for a salary of $1,100/yr), which is where she met Wallace, and they were married on December 27, 1947. Sandra was born on November 10, 1950, and Mom went back to teaching in 1955 at the Crystal Springs Hutterite Colony. In the summer of 1959, they moved to a farm outside of Minitonas, where Mom was able to get a job teaching at the Minitonas School. A big part of Mom’s life was the Order of Eastern Star where she made many lasting friendships and enjoyed the fellowship and traveling. She was involved in the church and community all through her life, and playing bridge and cards was a great pastime for her.  Curling, bowling, and golfing were her preferred sports activities. “Because it would be interesting and exciting”, Mom began taking flying lessons and logged 20 hours of flying time.  Mom also had a group of friends known as the “Odd Broad Squad”, who would get together, don their fancy “Red Hats” and have a great time. The highlights of Mom’s life were the arrivals of her two granddaughters, Cathy Jo and LoraLee, who spent many summers enjoying time on the farm and being treated like princesses. Mom and Dad enjoyed many years of travelling the world, including Russia, China, South Africa, Alaska/Arctic Circle, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, and treating the family to several cruises. They spent many winters, pulling their 5th wheel trailer to Pine to Palm, Weslaco, Texas and eventually bought a park model trailer. In June of 1973, Mom graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandon University. In June of 1983, Mom retired after teaching for 32 years, and then she got her Class 2 license to do relief school bus driving for Wallace while he was harvesting. In 1998, they sold the farm and moved to a condo in Swan River. Dad passed away in 2008, and in 2010, Mom moved to Brandon. Mom kept a journal all through her life.  She later decided to write her autobiography, so her family would have a better knowledge of her life story. She wrote: “The good Lord blessed me richly and aided me to always be a “survivor”.” At 90 years old, Mom moved to Morden to be closer to family. She lived at Homestead South, an assisted living facility, where she developed many friendships, including a special one with Emily. In August 2021, Mom transitioned to Tabor Personal Care where Emily faithfully visited her.

The family would like to thank Rebecca, Tabor Home staff, and the Boundary Trails Health Centre ER and Surgical Ward for their care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Freida’s memory to Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or United Way.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-5:     

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.wiebefuneralhomes.com

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