Mathilda "Tillie" Strocen

On June 14, 2024, Mrs. Mathilda (Tillie) Strocen of Swan River, MB, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the age of 85.

Tillie is survived by her two children Doug (Shelly) and Lisa (Ross) of Swan River, MB and her two grandchildren Nicole (Nathan) of Stony Mountain, MB and Dillon (Angel) of Winnipeg, MB. Tillie is also survived by many nieces and nephews although shared a special closeness with her niece Sharon Shaver of Swan River. Tillie was “Auntie” to Sharon’s two sons Darcy (Brandi), their children Dysan and Abbi of Winnipeg, MB and Dale (Morgan) of Brandon, MB. In addition, Tillie is survived by her close neighbor and friend Darryl Collinge (special friend to Sharon).

Tillie grew up on Pine Creek First Nation (MB) in a bustling household with a large family which included her parents Raphael and Marie Louise Nepinak, her brothers and sisters – Rose, Michael, Juliette, Albert, Harold, Beatrice, Yvonne, Delores, Susanne, Agnes and Laurance.

Tillie then met her husband of 44 years, Barney Strocen, while he was working in the area. The two married on April 20, 1960, and started their new life together in White Beech, SK. They started a grain farm, then eventually settled in Swan River. Tillie found work at the Swan River Valley Hospital as a Nurses Aide. She worked in many different departments and made many friends through her 38-year career.

Tillie was a quiet, kind person who rarely complained and always had a smile on her face. There was nothing she enjoyed more than a great game of bingo or a few games on the VLT’s. Most of all she shared a closeness with her family from helping raise her grandchildren and nephews and attending their school and sporting events. You could often find her cheering loudly from the stands at the hockey rink. She also enjoyed spending weekends with her family at the lake, cooking over an open fire, boating and fishing. Her home was often known as a gathering place for family and friends as the door was always open whether it be for coffee, a BBQ, a card game or a friendly visit.

In her later years, you could find Tillie quietly sitting on her deck, swinging all afternoon catching a great tan. Tillie moved into the Lodge PCH in April 2022 and resided there until her passing.

Tillie is predeceased by her parents Raphael and Marie Louise Nepinak, her husband Barney Strocen, Gary Woloshyn (spouse to Sharon Shaver), her siblings: Rose Chartrand, Albert, Harold, Laurance and Michael Nepinak.

The family would like to thank the staff at Swan River Valley Lodge PCH for the wonderful care Tillie received while she lived there.