Elva Margarette Bangsund passed away peacefully on March 14, 2016 at her Weyburn residence at the age of 92. Margarette was predeceased by her parents, William and Anna Belle McLeod; husband, Edmund Bangsund and son, Stuart Bangsund; three brothers, Alex, Murdock (Hilda) & Cameron McLeod; two sisters, Wilma (Elmer) Tytlandsvik and Jean (Hugh) Smyth; and four brothers-in-law, Oliver (Annie) Bangsund, Joseph (Bessie) Bangsund, Gilbert (Nora) Bangsund & Melvin (Josephine) Bangsund. Margarette is survived by her son, Archie (Marney) Bangsund of Regina, and family Sarah (Jeremy) Stone, Adrienne and Jonathan (Kristen); daughter, Heather (Bernie) Brigidear of Saskatoon, and family, Anthony (Jill), Barbara (Jeff), Carolyn (Chris) Bennington and Douglas; son, Wesley (Rhonda) Bangsund of Broadview, and family Margo and Bryce; daughter-in-law, Valerie Bangsund of MooseJaw, and family Tevor (Jackie), Rhealene and Deryl (Kellie); sister, Arlene McLeod of Weyburn and sister-in-law, Doris McLeod as well as numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Margarette Bangsund was born at home on January 13, 1924 weighing only three pounds. She was the fourth child of seven born to William and Bell McLeod on the family farm near Maxim. She went to school in Maxim then boarded in Colgate for her high school education before leaving for Normal School in Regina during the summer of 鈥�43.聽 She started her teaching career at Apollo School (later at Westdale School). After taking summer classes in 鈥�44 and 鈥�45 she received her first class teaching certificate (earning a salary of $900.00 per year). Margarette taught school until she married Edmund, October 10, 1949 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Lake Alma. They settled into mixed farming on the Olaf Bangsund Homestead. They enjoyed their years of farming and community living as they raised their family of four, Stuart, Archie, Heather and Wesley. As the farm was the gateway to other farmers鈥� land many people would stop on their way through the yard for a quick visit, coffee and snack. Mom always made a point of having a full cookie jar or fresh cake for the visitors and was never too busy to take time for them. Margarette was an integral part of the farming operation for many decades taking on any task required. Having six siblings and marrying a man with five siblings was a great recipe for large family gatherings.聽 Further to that, the majority of siblings and their spouses lived within a 15 mile radius. Margarette and Edmund, along with their many siblings, relatives and close knit community friends, seldom missed an anniversary, birthday or other special occasions. These gatherings always had great food, lots of conversation and a great deal of laughter. There always seemed time in Margarette鈥檚 life to prepare buns or goodies for the event. After Edmund passed away in 1994, Margarette retired to Weyburn where she lived until her passing. Moving to Weyburn for Margarette was a whole change in lifestyle. She joined the Alexandria Rebekah Lodge and the Legion, volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels with her sister Arlene, visited with people in senior eesidences, joined Zion Lutheran Church, and found various ways to fill her time and lend a helping hand. One of the new friends Margarette made was Brendine Barber. Many people in Weyburn will remember Brendine going down the street in her wheelchair and Margarette walking behind carrying the snow shovel in case she got stuck. Anything to get to bridge. Margarette also belonged to the Tribune and Weyburn bridge clubs and met people from all over the province while playing bridge. Many evenings were spent playing Saskatchewan Rummy, 65 and 31 with her special card playing friends. She was a regular traveller on the STC, taking her around the province to visit with her children and grandchildren. Some of the grandchildren would say 鈥淭here鈥檚 Grandma鈥檚 bus鈥� whenever they seen a STC bus on the highway.聽聽 She enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren to the fullest and they always looked forward to picking her up from the bus depot. Grandma left the great grandchildren Caitlyn and Ian Stone and Braden, Jillian and Taryn Bennington with great memories of bun and cookie making, coloring and a whole lot of cuddling and reading. But most of all mom loved people. She was interested in all her nieces and nephews and their families lives, all the people that she met through bridge and through the Rebekah Lodge or any one she met. She took a genuine interest in people. Margarette had some favorite sayings and one of them was 鈥淭he best way to pass on is unexpectedly.鈥� Mom got her wish on March 14, 2016 when she passed away peacefully in her sleep. She will leave a huge hole in our hearts. Friends so wishing may make donations, in memoriam, to Zion Lutheran Church General Funds. Visitation was held on Friday, March 18, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, March 19, at 2:00 p.m. from Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn, with Pastor Martin Olson officiating. Interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. Pallbearers were Margarette鈥檚 ten grandchildren. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, 306-842-5432.
