Donald George Fletcher
March 4, 1934 - April 4, 2022
Don died suddenly at his home in McCreary with his wife Doris at his side.
He was born at the farm near McCreary to parents Roy and Jennie Fletcher, the 3rd of 6 children. Don attended school in McCreary until the completion of Grade 11 when he left McCreary to work for the CNR as a telegraph operator. He moved around Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northern Ontario. It was during his time in Kamsack, SK that he met his future wife Vivian Rezansoff and they were married in Kamsack in July 1956.
They moved to Churchill, MB to begin their married life together. Their oldest daughter Cindy was born in Churchill in 1957. They made many lifelong friends during their time there. In 1959, he transferred to Sprague, MB where their son Danny was born. Sadly Danny passed away at a few months old.
They then moved to McCreary for a short time later in 1960 where their son Gary was born later that year.
In 1961 Don took a job as the assistant manager of the PFRA pasture at Milestone, SK and it was during this time in 1962 that their daughter Colleen was born. In the late summer of 1962 the family moved back to McCreary to the farm they had purchased from his Grandma Fletcher. Don supplemented his cattle farm income by working various jobs at Agassiz Ski Hill. MacLeods store and driving school bus. in 1965 they purchased a farm in the Glenhope area and moved to the ranch and Don was able to be his own boss and cowboy full time!
Cattle and PMU mares made for a busy life on the ranch, but there was always time for 4-H with the kids, rodeos, chariot racing and Quarter Horse Racing. McCreary Rodeo was traditionally August long weekend and the whole family volunteered to make it a success as long as Mother Nature co-operated. Don also served as a councillor for the LGD of Alonsa for 14 years during this time.
In 1989, the ranch was sold and together Don and Vivian began their auction business, having both taken their training in Minnesota. Together they ran a successful business until Vivian's sudden passing in 2000.
In 2003, Don married Doris Green (McCallum) of Dauphin. Doris was also an auctioneer and they continued on with the auction business for a time as well as working with other auctioneers on an as needed basis. Toegther they continued volunteering with various organizations and travelled across the country announcing and organizing races and fairs and auctioneering for charitable causes. The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon was a favorite place to volunteer and visit each year for the entire week.
Family was very important to Don and with his marriage to Doris there were three more children and their families to spend time with.
Don received countless awards and recognition for his tireless years of service from the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies, Ducks Unlimited and Cowboy Hall of Fame just to name a few. Don also served on the board of the McCreary Alonsa Health Centre.
Don was predeceased by his wife Vivian, his son Daniel and his son-in-law Vital (Vic) Letain, his brothers Ralph and Doug Fletcher.
He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish many wonderful memories; his wife Doris of McCreary, his 3 children Cindy Letain and partner Darrell Vrooman of Belmont, MB, Gary Fletcher and wife Brenda of Roblin, MB, Colleen Scott and husband Lance of Wawanesa, MB, grandchildren Donna, Larry, Derek, Shawna, Nichole, Tara, Megan, Jodi and Shandi, Doris' children; Gary Green and wife Glenda of Dauphin, Brenda Green and friend Ivan of Dauphin, Susan Zurba and husband Jason of Dauphin, grandchildren Toni, Amanda, Tammi, Ashlee, Jennifer, Blake, Courtney, Steven, Zack and Matthew and many great grandchildren, his siblings Audrey McLaughlin of Snow Lake, MB, Jack Fletcher of Parksville, BC, Doris Herkendell of Winnipeg, MB, his sister-in-law Phyllis Konkin of Winnipeg, MB, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.
A celebration of Don's life was held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 1:00 pm from Knox United Church in McCreary. Norma Windle officiated. Interment in the McCreary Municipal Cemetery.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Don to the McCreary Agricultural Society c/o McCreary Recreation Commission, Box 317, McCreary, MB, R0J 1B0 or to the Knox United Church, Box 63, McCreary, MB, R0J 1B0.
"This last goodbye is the hardest one to say.
This is where the cowboy rides away"
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Fletcher, please visit our floral store.
