Obituary of Frances Pearl Lofto

Our dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother and friend passed away at the age of 95.

Left to lovingly remember her are her children Merril (David), Grant (Lori), Laurel (Bruce), Cameron (Michelle) and Kathryn (Doug); grandchildren Morgan (Frank), Kelsey (Michael), Hayley (Jordan), Christine (Ryan), Matthew (Chelsea), Eric (Christina), Ryan (Jennifer), Katie, Jennifer (Peter), Tara (Brian) and Bryan (Kelsey); great grandchildren Cecilia, Cooper, Violet, Freya, Abby, Brady, Ariel, Isabelle, Wyatt, Benson, Henrik, Lincoln, Clark, Cadee, Emma, Madison and Miya; siblings: Douglas (Jean), Mervyn (Karen) and Lynne (Barry); and her sister-in-law, Jane.

She was predeceased by her husband George and brother Harvey.

Mom was the eldest child of Elmer and Minnie Sanderson, born in the Carman area.  She had some great stories about visiting her grandparents’ home and getting in trouble for climbing up on their dining room table with a pair of scissors and snipping the tassels off the light fixture and how she loved to ride her pony Teddy to school and having her brother Doug drive her into town on the tractor to attend Saturday night dances.

At the age of 16, Mom became a permit teacher and taught students who weren’t a lot younger than herself. On one occasion, some of the older boys presented her with a writhing gunny sack, hoping to scare her. She took a deep breath, opened the sack, picked up the snake and studied it and then handed it back to the boys saying it will make a great topic for a lesson and they were in charge of taking care for it until then.

Mom attended Normal School in Winnipeg and then accepted a teaching position at the White Plains School near Dacotah.  It was there she met our dad, George Lofto, got married and raised their five children. In the late 1960’s Mom went back to teaching at several of the Hutterite colonies in the area. She worked so hard as a teacher, farmer’s wife, homemaker, and mother.   

At 65, Mom retired, they rented out the farmland and she travelled with Dad. They logged many miles together until Dad retired sold the farm and moved into Starbuck. Once Mom got used to the idea, Starbuck was home. After Dad passed away in 2007, Mom moved to Winnipeg, but she never really got used to city living. 

Mom was a kind and loving mother and wife, dear sister and good friend to many. She loved being with her family for visits and special occasions, watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.

Some of her greatest memories were her travels.  She loved her trips to Great Britain with her sister-in-law Jean and her girls; to Mexico with her friend Shirley; and to Taiwan with Kathy and Laurel.  Mom said prayers daily, was a true believer and enjoyed visits from Pastor Debra.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Harmony Court, the City of Winnipeg Paramedics, the staff of 4E at St. Boniface Hospital and to Pastor Debra, who helped Mom and rest of us during this incredibly difficult time.