Florence Ziprick

After a long and full life enriched by the love of family and countless friends, Florence died peacefully on September 6, 2024, at the Morley House Personal Care Home, Shoal Lake, MB, with family by her side.

Florence was predeceased by her husband Ervin, with whom she raised five children, as well as her first-born son Wayne, parents John and Martha Bach, brothers Ralph (in infancy) and Donald (aka “Donnie”), and sisters Anita (in infancy), Phyllis (Jack, also deceased) and Wilma (Jack, also deceased).

Florence’s surviving family will remember her with love and miss her greatly: children Daryl (Debbie), Shelly (Paul), Penny (Dennis), and Marlis (Jeff); grandchildren Michael (Bonnie), Monique (Jeff), and Matthew (Desiree); and great-grandchildren Miles, Dallas, Hudson, Lily, Mimi and Hazel. Sister Agnes (Don, deceased) and sister-in-law Jean (Donnie, deceased) and their families, along with late sister Wilma’s family, will forever cherish her memory and the time they shared with her on the farm.

Raised on her parents’ farm in Cracknell, Florence married Ervin in 1948 and relocated to Roblin where Ervin worked as a truck driver. They returned to Cracknell in 1954 where they would raise their five children and run the farm together until Ervin’s retirement in 1990. When Ervin passed away in 1992, there was no question that Florence would remain on the farm. An independent woman with endless energy and a strong work ethic, not only was the farmhouse a revolving door of clients and friends stopping in with items for her burgeoning sewing business, she also had a huge garden to tend - a garden that supplied many of the ingredients for the feasts she would prepare every time family would make the trek to Cracknell from Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto, and further afield. Family always came first for Florence, and because she made everyone who came through her door feel so welcome, family visits were frequent, which couldn’t have made her happier.

Eventually, Florence decided to pick up stakes and become a “townie” again. In 2002, she bought a home in Russell (where she never grew tired of the view to the elevator across the road because it reminded her of Cracknell) and had it renovated as soon as she moved in to accommodate her sewing business. Her clients, many of whom she counted as friends, were drawn not only by her skill with a needle and thread, but also by her positive outlook on life and her sense of humour - not to mention the opportunity to catch up over a cup of tea or coffee and, as often as not, leave with a dozen freshly baked buns or a loaf of cinnamon bread.

The sewing, knitting, cooking, baking, gardening and entertaining continued apace in Florence’s new home. Her family is left with fond memories of (and some of the recipes for) the many delicacies in her repertoire, from cabbage rolls and perogies to dinner rolls, cinnamon buns, and butter tarts - and everyone’s absolute favorite … chicken soup, complete with homemade noodles. Florence herself would never lose her love of good food, simply prepared, a passion that lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Soon it would be Florence’s great-grandchildren, like her grandchildren and children before them, who would marvel at the meals at Great Granny’s - along with the bottomless bowls of licorice, sour cherries, sweets and home-made caramel popcorn twists that were always on hand. But their delight in their Great Granny’s pantry and cooking skills was equalled by the joy Florence felt from the many cards, colourful drawings and happy moments her “little ones” shared with her.

It was only when arthritis forced her into retirement in 2022 - no less than 52 years after she welcomed her first client into her home, and after making, repairing or altering everything from dresses and bridal gowns to suits, jeans, Ukrainian dance outfits and tablecloths - that Florence switched off her sewing machine for the last time. Later that year, she moved to Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake. Florence often remarked that she was only able to remain in her house as long as she did because of the tremendous support she received from Laverne Flundra and others in the community, for which she was always grateful.

Florence’s strong faith is a trait she retained to the end, one that helped her meet whatever challenges she faced throughout her life. She was an active member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Inglis MB, continuing to support it even after she was no longer able to attend services there.

Florence considered herself fortunate to be able to call Morley House home for the last couple of years. To the very end, she never failed to say “Thank you, Nurse” to anyone there who tended to her needs - including her daughters, jokingly, when they were visiting. Her family is grateful to the wonderful Morley House team (some of whom said they addressed her as “Mama”) for the exceptional care they gave our Mom, Granny and Great Granny.