1937-2025
Myrna Manuel passed away at the Innisfail Health
Centre on Friday May 9, 2025 at the age of
88 years. She is the daughter of Jacob James
Koch who was born in Skatovka, Russia in 1911
and Madge (nee Wardley) Koch who was born in
Yorkshire, England in 1912. Myrna was brought
into this world in Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan on
April 1, 1937. She went to grade school in small town
Saskatchewan and graduated from the University
of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon with a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing. Myrna was a professor of Nursing
at the University of Saskatchewan prior to moving to
Innisfail, Alberta and becoming the head O.R. nurse in the Innisfail Health Centre.
She met her soul mate, Norman Duncan Manuel in Innisfail and the two were
married on June 15, 1963, at which time she retired from nursing and began a
new career as a devoted wife and mother. Her first son, James Josiah Manuel
was born on December 19,1964 and her second son, Patrick Duncan Manuel
was born August 10, 1968. Myrna and Duncan carried on the tradition of mixed
farming, raising cattle and cereal grains until they retired in 1988. Through those
farming years,mom devoted many days taking her two boys to their never-ending
hockey games as well as many evenings and weekends traveling for the Order
of the Eastern Star which she joined in Saskatchewan when she was eighteen.
Myrna held all the offices in the Grand Chapter of Alberta culminating in the
office of the Worthy Grand Matron for Alberta in 1990 to 1991. After retirement,
Myrna became an avid golfer and her, and Duncan would be found many days
during the week and almost every weekend at the Innisfail Golf Course. They
would also take many golf trips with good friends to places like Montana, British
Columbia, Washington and California. She was a talented and accomplished
quilter. Myrna showed her quilts and made individual and customized quilts for
each grandchild along with any specific requests from family. Duncan battled
cancer from the fall of 1997 until he lost that battle in December of 2003 and
Myrna was at his side every day as his supporter, caregiver and rock. After
Duncan’s passing, her strength, wisdom and determination to enjoy life and
family was channeled into her two sons but more importantly their families and
her four beautiful grandchildren that were the light of her life. Her first grandson,
Justin Manuel was born in 2003, followed by Logan Manuel in 2005, Zachary
Manuel in 2006, and her beautiful granddaughter, Samara Lee-Ann Manuel in
2009. Myrna became “Granny” and she looked forward to them staying with
her on the farm, having sleep overs without Mom and Dad and she spoiled them
continuously. Countless hours and days at birthday parties, hockey rinks, dance
studios and equestrian events cheering all of them on and telling them they
could do anything and become whatever they wanted to be as long as they put
the hard work, time and passion into it. She was so proud of her grandchildren
and would talk to anyone about them who would lend her an ear. When Myrna
wasn’t immersed with Grandkids, she would be planning her next trip. Myrna
was a voracious reader so she would study the culture, the region, knew all the
traditions and history before leaving. She went to many destinations on cruise
ships and by plane. Some of the destinations included Ireland, Italy, China, Nova
Scotia, Panama, Vegas, Florida, Antarctica and South America. Texts and phone
calls were a very important part of Myrna’s day in the later years as the Calgary
road trips became more difficult to do and she never went too many days without
connecting with every family member in some way. She was always available to
talk and to listen and she would always find the right thing to say or text to make
you feel better.
“Granny” will be dearly missed by her son, James (Wanda), her grandchildren
Justin and Logan and her son, Patrick (Sandi), grandchildren Zachary and Samara
Lee- Ann. Myrna was outspoken, intelligent, driven, caring and supportive but one
of her greatest qualities was that she was the most generous and kind person
we have ever known and she will be in our hearts and thoughts forever. A Private
Family Celebration of Life will be held. If desired, Memorial Donations in Myrna’s
honor may be made to S.T.A.R.S at stars.ca or to the Indigenous Women’s
Scholarship at give.usask.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be
shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements
in care of:
