Margaret Alice Elaine Nernberg

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother on January 3,2023 with her family by her side.

Margaret Alice Elaine Eshelby was born in Russell Manitoba on March 27, 1942.   She was the second oldest daughter in a family that would eventually become a family of 6 girls.

Margaret was raised on the farm just west of the little community of Silverton. She attended Silver Creek School until grade 8 and then Russell Collegiate until grade 11 at which time she decided to join the work force.

She moved to Toronto for a short period of time and worked at a Royal Bank as well as a trucking company. While in Toronto she lived with her Aunty Ellen and Uncle Don.

Upon her return to Russell, she worked at Clement’s as a bookkeeper.

Margaret married Walter Zimmer on July 11, 1962. They resided on the farm just North of Russell. Kelly was born April 4, 1965, Karen, October 4, 1967 and Kimberly, November 2, 1971.

Together they farmed and owned the meat processing plant.  Margaret did the bookkeeping as well as assisting on the cut and wrap floor.

Life changed and Margaret and Walter went their separate ways.

Margaret remained on the farm, raising her children and horses plus various other animals.

Margaret met the love of her life, Wilbert Nernberg in 1982.  They were engaged on Halloween Day in 1985, and married on February 14th, 1986.  She was going to make sure Wilby didn’t forget any of those special days. Together they continued to farm and Margaret worked at the Co-op grocery store in Russell. She also worked for Russell Redi Mix for a short period of time as the scale person when they were rebuilding highway 45, which is the highway past the yard that she grew up in and was residing in at the time of her passing.

Margaret decided working off the farm was not where she wanted to be so they bought a milk cow and some cream quota. She was truly where she loved to be.  They continued to milk cows until 1996.  She was known by many of her grandchildren as milk cow ma.   Anytime they were at grandma and grandpas’s they had to go milk the cows.

Together they continued to farm and expanded their herd of beef cows and a little bit of grain farming. Of course, she still had a small herd of horses and decided she would also like to raise some ponies so she could spread her love for horses to many more children.  They purchased 6 quarter horse mares and a pony stallion and began the adventure of raising their many ponies.  They sold the farm north of Russell to their grandson Brett and moved back to the farm at Silverton where she was raised. They continued to raise horses and make hay right up until her passing.

Margaret had many other passions in life.  She loved to dance.  She was instrumental in organizing the old-time dances in Silverton.  They also went on many bus trips with the band Country Blend stopping along the way to dance.   She attempted many times to pass this passion down to her family members even having an old-time dance for her 65th birthday party. She was successful with some of us but many had 2 left feet and no rhythm so we just watched her dance and oh how she loved to dance!  She was

always thinking about what they would have for lunch at the Silverton dances as cooking and baking were another of her many passions in life. Everyone had to be well fed good food.

During the summer months she was so proud of her garden and loved to share the bounties of her harvest with everyone. She also loved to sew, quilt, and knit in her spare time. Many family member as well as many friends and neighbours have quilts.   She carefully planned the pattern of the patches and lovingly stitched them together. Her hand knit neck warmers are worn by many friends and family. She could whip up a neck warmer in no time flat while sitting in her chair watching television with Wilby.

Margaret and Wilby’s life was a true partnership.  They farmed together, travelled together, worked together. They were always together, and it was a rare occurrence to see one without the other.

They travelled on many bus trips across Canada and the US as well as trips to visit family.  One of the most memorable trips being to Tuktoyaktuk with Country Blend Band.  If there was a special occasion you could be guaranteed they would be there if at all possible. Margaret also travelled to England, Iceland, France, Germany, and Austria.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents George and Alice Eshelby, her granddaughter Marli Lyn Koss, grandson Shaun Timothy Walter, and other nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 36 years Wilby Nernberg. Her son Kelly (Carol) and his daughter Charlie, her daughter Karen (Perry) and their children Rhandi (Darnell) and their children Hunter and Mikayla, Regan (Carla), Morgan (Tyler) Brett {Ashley), her daughter Kimberly and her children Shawnica (Troy) and their children Dryden and Dawson and her son Shane. Her sisters Mary, Betty (George), Barbara (Sheldon), Lil (Ron) and Lorna (Dave), and many other nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Margaret truly was at peace with going to meet her Lord and Savior.   Her faith carried her through many times in her life and it carried her on her final journey home.