Ernest Ferdinand Marshall

Early in the morning of July 21, at the Russell Hospital, Ernest Ferdinand Marshall completed his journey to "The Promised Land."  He was 96 years old.

Ernest started his life in his parents' home on the farm east of Inglis, MB on August 19th, 1927.  He was the 5th child of 8 children born to August and Natalie (nee Freier) Marshall.  The first-born, a girl, had died in infancy, so Ernest was the middle child in the family.  He had 2 older brothers and an older sister, and 2 younger brothers and a younger sister. 

The name "Ernest" means intent in purpose; resolute; serious; earnest.  His name certainly suited him.  He was a very hard-working, diligent fellow, and was a sincere Christian, raised in the Lutheran faith.  His practicality, work ethic, creativity, and belief that he could accomplish what he set his mind to, led to a very productive life.  He tells of how he and his second Cousin Arthur Fingas were asked to form a stooking team for a farmer during harvest season.  Ernest was one year older than Arthur and was 13 at the time.  The two boys worked their hardest and ended up producing as many stooks as the mature men on the field!  Ernest never went back to Freefield School after that.  His education was informal after grade 6.  It was very experiential, and he was more of an apprentice as he worked closely with his father, who taught him many carpentry, farming, hunting, and logging skills. 

In 1962, Ernest purchased the family farm - "Crooked Creek Farm" - from his younger brother Paul, and then, after a brief but purposeful courtship, on September 14, 1963, he married a beautiful widow, Pauline Winnick (nee Kihn), and adopted her two young daughters, Heather and Mona.  With a very capable and resourceful wife, who came from a farming family herself, Ernest's farming productivity flourished.  He ran a mixed grain and cattle farm, bought and cleared land, built many buildings, including cattle sheds, machinery sheds, granaries, a new house, and a grain elevator!  He was remarkably innovative, resourceful, and ambitious.  He always had a power nap after lunch or supper, which seemed to give him the extra energy he needed to continue his long workdays.

His family expanded from 1964-1971 with the birth of three more daughters - Brenda, Arla, and Karen - and a son, Jason.  Ernest provided many opportunities for his children to explore, play, and help out.  He and Pauline were not what you would call 'helicopter parents’, as they were so busy with the farm workload.

On two occasions, Ernest and Pauline took trips overseas - one to Germany and one to Greece.  They enjoyed their trips but were always happy to return home again.  

In 1997, when Jason married Sheila and took over the farm, Ernest and Pauline moved to Binscarth.  They bought an older house on a very large and spacious lot.  He intended to build a new retirement home but got discouraged by all the red tape and regulations involved.  He and Pauline liked Binscarth and the friends they made there.  They were content in the older house, especially after he built on a sunroom and made a workshop/shed with added lounge areas.  He enjoyed the fruit of his labors for many years.  Pauline passed away there in 2021, and Ernest continued to live in his house, up until less than 24 hours before he died, when he had to go to a palliative care room at the hospital

Ernest was a responsible, helpful, generous, and friendly person.  As he conducted his business and showed up for appointments for himself or his wife or children, he would strike up conversations with the person or persons seated or standing next to him.  He made many friends this way and learned a great deal from others, and also shared what he knew with others. He was a loyal son to his parents and loved his dear wife and family.  He had soft spots for a lot of cows, dogs, and cats.

Ernest was predeceased by his wife Pauline, daughter Mona, parents Natalie and August, and siblings, Elsie, Walter, Edna, Arnold, Richard, Paul, and Lorraine.   

He is survived by his children Heather (Dennis), Brenda (Roger), Arla, Karen, Jason (Sheila), and son-in-law Bob Paradine; grandchildren Meagan (Brian), Suzanne (Cody), Julie (Nathan), Erika (Tony), Maureen (Jeff), Morgan, Ethan, Karl, Christopher; and great-grandchildren Luther, Vincent, James, Celeste, and Candace.