Mildred Jessie Byquist

MILDRED JESSIE BYQUIST

(nee ERICKSON)

Millie passed away peacefully with family by her side on July 21, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was born on August 26, 1919 in Travers, Alberta. Millie was predeceased by her siblings; Eileen, Rae, Stanley, and Bernard, as well as her daughter, Hazel Deleske (d.1989).

Millie is lovingly remembered by her son Mark Zimmerman (Diane), daughter Rita Wasney (John d.2025), 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She attended Olds College and completed Home Economics in 1939, then moved to Calgary, where she met Wilfred Zimmerman and married in 1943, staying in Alberta for two years.

In 1945, the family lived in Regina before being transferred back to Calgary and then to Winnipeg in 1951, residing in Fort Garry. Millie worked for York University doing surveys across the prairies. She also was employed as a seamstress with The Bay, doing alterations for fashion shows. In 1960, Millie and Wilfred built a house in North Kildonan and a cottage in Sandy Hook. They parted ways in 1969 and Wilfred passed in 1971.

Millie married Henry Byquist (d.2002) in 1971 and lived in Sandy Hook and Gimli. They enjoyed spending winters in Alamo Rose, Texas for 16 years. Millie went on a few cruises and travelled to Churchill, Cuba, and Mexico with her sister in-laws, Rose and Alice. Millie visited the Maritimes with Mikey. She loved attending Erickson family reunions in Alberta and reconnecting with her siblings and grandkids.

Over the years, Millie and Henry had two dogs (Bobbi and Duchess), which got her out walking every day. She preferred to stay busy and loved to read, challenge herself with crossword puzzles, the jumble, and took up golf at the age of 63. Millie enjoyed playing bingo, crib, cooking, baking, and sewing. Millie spent lots of time knitting, and donated a total of 30 afghans to Lutheran World Relief.

Due to macular degeneration, her eye sight became limited, and Millie moved back to Winnipeg in 2010. She resided at Kildonan House for 10 years, where she made several friends and participated in activities as best she could. For the past 5 years, Millie lived at Fred Douglas Lodge on Burrows Avenue. Thank you to all the wonderful staff who treated her kindly and enjoyed her company.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Fred Douglas Society or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

A graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025 in the Gimli Community Cemetery 111135 222 Rd, Gimli, MB.

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