Eleanor Oakman

Eleanor Wanda Oakman is greatly missed by her family, after her passing at the age of 93, on April 27,2026.  Eleanor was born November 20, 1932, the second of fifteen children to David and Hilda Reimer of the Leinan District.

As a young child growing up on a farm there were always daily tasks that needed to be done, starting at a young age.  While attending the Leinan school, Eleanor helped her mother with the general household chores, cooking, gardening and caring for her younger siblings.  In her late teens, Eleanor obtained a job with family friends that lived on a farm near Stewart Valley.

While living there she met their neighbor, Garfield Oakman.  On July 20, 1953, Eleanor and Garfield were married and moved into their first home in the Hamlet of Stewart Valley.  Their family started in 1954 with the birth of their first of five children.  In 1961, the family moved into Swift Current and in 1968, moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario.  They made a move to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1972, which turned out to be their last move.  No matter where Eleanor lived, she kept busy caring for her family.  Every year there was always a vegetable garden, and she took great pride in the garden bounty.

With growing children, Eleanor made sure that they always had home cooked meals and fresh baking to enjoy.  She was always in the kitchen doing something. Home baked bread and buns and cinnamon rolls were enjoyed and didn’t last long.  Sewing was a favorite past time and homemade pajamas were sewn and appreciated by her children especially the warm, cozy pajamas given for Christmas gifts.  Quilting and embroidery were also enjoyed, with baby quilts for her grandchildren as they were born.  Eleanor enjoyed her flowers in the summer and had many pots of colorful flowers around her yard.  She took pride with her huge clematis and her peonies never disappointed.

One of the things that Eleanor will be remembered for, was her amazing ability to remember birthdays and anniversaries, making sure that cards and letters were sent every year.  Over the years Eleanor and Garfield enjoyed traveling, visiting with family and friends across Canada.  They also travelled to Portugal and the USA many times including Hawaii, Florida, Arizona and Nashville Tennessee.

Eleanor will be lovingly remembered by her children Gary Shane (Linda), Shannon (Greg) Hawkes, Perry, Lindsay (Maureen), Mallory (Laurel) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She is survived by siblings Victor, Louise, Murray, Bruce (Chalong), Delma, Norma (Adam), Garth (Avril), Donna (Murray) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  Eleanor was pre-deceased by her husband Garfield, parents David and Hilda Reimer, siblings Harold, Ronnie, Allan, Melvin, Audrey, Anne, parents-in-law George and Laura Oakman, In-laws Henriette Reimer, Delnor Johnsgaard, Alice Reimer, Jeannette Reimer and Joe Yarrow.

Eleanor and Garfield will be laid to rest at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Swift Current.  A lunch for family and friends to honour Eleanor and Garfield will be hosted by Gary and Linda Oakman at their residence on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 11:30 am.

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