Muriel Archer

Muriel Archer of Birtle and more recently of Virden, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17th at the West-Man Nursing Home in Virden Manitoba.

Muriel is survived by her children, Pat and her husband, Clay Bottrell of Sidney, BC, Don and his wife, Jan of Christchurch, N.Z, Ken and his wife, Irene, of Saskatoon, Sask, Sharon and her husband Ed Condon of Dallas, Texas and  Deanna and her husband, Mark Chapski of Dugald, Man. She also leaves her nine grandchildren, Paul, Emma (Will), Megan (Jason), Roxanne, Ferne, Jennifer, Lindsay (Josh), Mitchell and Drew and three great grandchildren, Willow, Nolan and Autumn. She is also survived by her one remaining sister, Janet of Virden. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Eric in 2000 and by her brother  Albert, and sisters Joan and Hilda.

Muriel was born in Binscarth, Manitoba on October 7th, 1923 and grew up on her parents’ farm. She and her sister Joan, moved to Portage as young adults to work for a few years, before moving again to Fort William to aid in the war effort with Canadian Car which was manufacturing parts for military aircraft. Back in Winnipeg, she and Eric met and married in December of 1946. Three years later with baby ‘Patsy’, they moved to Birtle, Manitoba where Eric established his Plumbing and Heating business. Together they raised five children. Mom was devoted to her family. She was never happier than when she was surrounded by her large and ever-growing family, preparing, cooking, baking and celebrating every holiday and birthday and special occasion. In the early days, these gatherings also included grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins, all sharing in the fun. Until her very recent years, she never forgot a family birthday or special occasion and was a trove of family information with a prodigious memory.

Religion played a large part in Muriel’s life. Sunday church services at St. George’s Anglican, were a constant in her life, seldom missing a Sunday,  until Covid intervened. She was a long standing member of the Women’s Auxiliary and a committed volunteer Brass cleaner. The church community was very important to her and she valued the many meaningful friendships formed  over the years.

The family would like to thank Susanne Burdett for all her services and kindness to Muriel while she was living in Morton Manor in Birtle. The family is grateful for the care provided by the staff at West-Man Nursing Home as well as for the visits and comfort provided by the Reverends Lorraine Bonnell and Jen Morgan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George's Anglican Church, Box 404, Birtle, Manitoba R0M 0C0