Peacefully on April 15, 2026 at the Ashern Personal Care Home, our loving husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, brother in-law, father in-law, uncle and friend, Edward Louis Thompson, of Fairford First Nation passed away at the age of 79 years.
Edward will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Doreen; children, Kelvin Thompson, Valerie Thompson, Patrick (Donna) Thompson, Melissa (Brad) Beardy and Cindy (Scott) Anderson; 26 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; siblings, Jeffrey (Lisa) Thompson, Stella (Walter) Woodhouse, Rita (Alan) Letandre, Karen (Wayne) Thompson and Shirley Sanderson; his adoptive sisters, Darlene and Dot Sumner, who he referred to as his little sisters; brothers and sisters in-law, Colleen (Dennis) Sinclair, Terry (Clifford) Anderson, Beatrice Traverse, Ruby Baer, Melvin (Muriel) Woodford, Kurt (Diane), Colin Woodford, Stella Woodford and Sharon Sumner; aunt, Helen Sumner; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Edward was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Christina Thompson; granddaughter, Charity Thompson; brothers, Leslie (Caroline) Thompson, Felix (Norma) Thompson and Eric Thompson; son in-law, Archie Letandre; in-laws, Peter and Clara Woodford; brothers in-law, John Sanderson, Edgar Traverse, John Woodford and Herman Woodford; and by his 4 great grandchildren.
Edward and Doreen were married for 58 years he married the love of his life on June 7, 1967 and would have celebrated their 59 years of marriage this year – A true example of a life built on love, devotion and commitment. Together they raised 5 beautiful children. Whom he loved and adored, he wanted nothing but the best for his children. He taught them values, morals, respect and work ethics. He took pride in seeing his children flourish and grow.
Together he and his wife made many sacrifices to see their children grow. In the early years of their marriage he left to work on the powerline. Doreen and Edward eventually decided to leave their home community and move to Selkirk, MB so he could further his education and gain more work experience.
He successfully completed a welding course and continued developing his carpentry skills. He later moved his family back home, where he built his career in carpentry. He also served as a councillor for Pinaymootang First Nation for a term. Edward was a man of many talents and was especially meticulous in building houses—this was where he wanted his greatest gift to shine. He often told his workers and the boys, “Do it right the first time, so you don't have to do it again.” He took great pride in his work and in passing on what he knew.
In his earlier years he would harvest wild rice during rice picking season, he was a welder, farmer, hunter, trapper, fisherman, artist, he was also trained in detailed air brushing. He also cherished the simple moments, like bike riding and giving his grandchildren rides on his snowmobile and ATV memories they will always hold close and forever cherish. Edward loved watching sports on TV and never missed the Kentucky Derby always making sure to tune in when race day came around. He also loved playing his guitar and making his younger children sing (Cindy his baby girl, would be his back ground singer for Dwight Yoakam)
In 2012, after years of watching it every summer on television, he finally attended the Calgary Stampede, and experienced what he truly cherished. Of all the events, he especially enjoyed watching the tradition of the chuck wagon races, which bought him great excitement and joy. His passion for horses led him to build his own race track where he exercised his horses, where he prepared them to race in chariot and chuckwagon races. These races led him to race in many communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan for many years, beginning in 1981.
Edward had two very special friends whom he travelled with or met up with at many horse races, James Sumner and Louie Malcolm. Their reunion must have been one of the most glorious moments, as they welcomed him to glory land with open arms. It brings comfort to imagine their reunion – filled with warmth, laughter, and the kind of connection that never fades. Though he is no longer with us here, he is not alone, and he is at peace among those who went before him.
His memory lives on in the stories we share, the moments we hold near and dear. A life well lived is a life never forgotten - Forever in our hearts
Funeral Service:
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, 9 Railway Avenue, Ashern, Manitoba
Officiant:
Pastor Wilfred Bruce
Interment:
St. Helen’s Anglican Church Cemetery, Fairford, Manitoba
Pallbearers:
Mitchell Thompson - Daniel Anderson
Terence Thompson - Jonathan Sumner
Taygen Thompson - Shauna Anderson
Gracen Thompson - Barry Beardy
Honorary Pallbearers:
Raymond Woodhouse
Billy Kakewash (Carwash)
Sonny Gould - Albert Bruce
and all who knew him
Crossbearer:
Connor Letandre
Appreciation:
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Helen, Darlene, Courtney, Linda, Raylene, Joleen, Charmaine, great-niece, Starr Sanderson and to all the other care home staff that looked after Dad over the years; the Pinaymootang Chief & Council; Karl Zadnik and the IRTC Board of Directors; all the visitors that stopped in to visit him, those who brought food, and those that showed support and love to us during these last few days.
A Heart Of Gold
A heart of gold stopped beating,
Hardworking hands went to rest,
God took you home to prove to us,
He only takes the best.
We will always remember the way you looked,
The way you walked and smiled,
All the things you did for us,
Will be with us all the while.
You lived your life for those you loved,
Your children taught and grown,
He called to you to come and dwell,
Where no more work is done.
In Tears
In tears we saw you sinking,
We watched you fade away,
You suffered much in silence,
You fought so hard to stay.
You faced your task with courage,
Your spirit did not bend,
But still you kept on fighting,
Until the very end.
God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come to Me.”
So when we saw you sleeping,
So peaceful, free from pain,
We could not wish you back,
To suffer that again.
