FOLKERSEN, Lavon (Vonnie)

Passed away peacefully in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on January 8th, 2018 at the age of 91. Vonnie led a long and successful life, and will be greatly missed by her family: daughter Susan, sons Ross (Laurice) and Tim (Susan); grandsons Zane Layman, Brock (Kelsie, and great-grandson Myles), Matthew (Monica), Aaron (Lindsay), Jonathan, and Samuel; sisters Marie and Audrey; sister-in-law Pearl Folkersen, and many nieces and nephews. Vonnie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Brock, in 1997, as well as nine brothers and sisters, including her twin sister, Vernie in 1983.

Vonnie was born on December 16th, 1926 in Moose Jaw, Sask. to Willard and Mabel Bennett, and as a child lived in several communities in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. She had many wonderful stories to tell of her times growing up with her siblings during the Depression and World War II. She revered her mother, Mabel, and worked tirelessly throughout her life to emulate her as a provider for her family.

From an early age, Vonnie was dynamic, energetic and creative. In addition to running a household of three children, was very talented at sewing, artwork (petit-point, oil painting and batik), furniture-making, cooking, and baking. She was a self-taught pianist, and was never intimidated to take on a new challenge. She learned to ski with her husband and with her children as they grew up, and took up golfing for the first time with friends in Moose Jaw in her 70’s.

She met her husband, John Brock Folkersen, in Moose Jaw after the war, and after an exciting yearlong courtship, they were married in November, 1949. Brock had a career with the Bank of Montreal, and they lived in numerous communities in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario in that capacity. Their final transfer was to Moose Jaw in 1971, where Brock became manager of the Moose Jaw Main Branch. They developed many friendships, and renewed some old ones, particularly with best friends Mike and Dot Moulding. This was to develop into a life-long friendship between many members of both the Folkersen and Moulding families that continues to this day. Both Brock and Vonnie were very grateful for the community of Moose Jaw and the many years they spent together there.

Vonnie was always somehow involved in her community, whether it be playing in bridge tournaments, volunteering with K-ettes and Inner Wheel, or participating in ParkArt. In her later years she joined P.E.O., and gained great satisfaction with the friendships and associations she made with her sisters in that organization, and the positive impact they have on the lives of young women in the community.

A memorial service for Vonnie will be held in Moose Jaw later in the spring of this year. Details of that celebration will be made known to all her friends well in advance. The Folkersen family greatly appreciates all of the kind words received, and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to P.E.O. Chapter A Sask, c/o 47 Bluebell Cr., Moose Jaw, SK, S6J 1A1.

Mom, you lived a long and good life, we will miss you.