Violet Flundra

Violet (Vera) Flundra was born on April 24, 1924 in the RM of Boulton. Peacefully, at the age of 96 years, Violet passed away at the Russell Personal Care Home on December 13, 2020.

Violet was the eldest of Nistor and Paulina Onufreiciuc’s ten children. As the oldest, Violet worked alongside her dad on the family farm and helped raise her siblings. She attended Shell Bank School in Lennard (where her teacher changed her name from Vera to Violet to solve a too-many-Veras-in-a-one-room-schoolhouse problem) until the eighth grade. The Onufreiciuc family were active members of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

She married Paul Flundra on October 20, 1946. The couple soon moved to Ontario for winter employment where Violet worked in the Campbell’s Soup factory. They returned to Lennard to farm together and raise their three children: Lenore, Grant, and Heather. During this period of her life, Violet was a fulltime mother, farmer, and community member. She milked cows, sold cream, raised chickens, pickled and canned, and held executive positions on the Inglis Women’s Institute, Lennard Ukrainian Women’s Society, and Red Cross swimming. Along with raising her own children, she was a godmother to many children and always hosted extended family during the summer. She took pride in growing a bountiful, beautiful garden – something she continued until well into her 90s.

Violet and Paul farmed in Lennard until they moved to Russell, MB, in 1985. Even though they moved to town, Lennard was still a big part of their lives as they continued to have a garden in the country (on top of her two in town) and take active roles in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. She was the best cook, specializing in perogies, cabbage rolls, soups, buns, and kolach (braided bread). As had always been the case throughout her life, Violet’s home was always open and visitors could be sure to be greeted with a warm welcome, enjoy a home cooked meal and great conversation, and never left empty-handed.

Violet spent her retirement being the #1 Grandma. She was her grandchildren’s greatest Ukrainian dance and sports fan, and she unashamedly spoiled her grandkids and filled their bellies with food and laughter. She was also ‘grandma’ to many kids in town, treating and loving them as her own. In recent years, she has loved her visits with her growing great grandchildren and took a great interest in the children of her caregivers.

Violet is survived by her three children: Lenore Fenton, Grant Flundra, and Heather Betke (Don). She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Andrew Fenton (Tracey; children Campbell, Rory, Walter), Michael Fenton (Chalcey; children Gabe and Lorelei), David Fenton, Mallory Schmitz (Ryan; children Bailey and Hudsyn), Brenden Flundra (Breanne; children Benjamin and Brooklyn), Carly Betke (Dan), and Tyla Betke (Tyler). Violet is survived by four siblings: Vicki, Elaine, Peter, and David, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.