Thelma (Wiess) Rafnson

Thelma Rafnson

(nee Wiess)

Surrounded by the love of her family, Thelma Rafnson, our Mom, Nan and Great Nan, peacefully passed away on February 5, 2025, at the age of 86. Thelma’s faith and love of family and friends will forever be a reminder to us all of what is important in life.  Her wish to rejoin Scott: her late husband, and love of her life in eternal peace has been granted by the grace of God.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Robin (Don), Rory (Aynsley), Randy (Susan), Ronalee (David).  Her grandchildren Allan, Kevin, Joel (Jenna), Amber (Evan), Emilie (Maddy), Erik (Samantha), Mary (Sean), Kristi (Morgan), Sarah (Tyler), Zachary, Caitlyn (Brock), nine great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Leira, Jase, Jack, Jake, Brooks, Ulyana, Henry and Ripley, along with her brothers Allan and Len.

She was predeceased by her husband and the love of her life Scott Rafnson, and parents Richard and Emilie Wiess.

Mom was born on April 11th, 1938.  She grew up on the family farm in East Selkirk, Manitoba, along with her two older brothers.   Her brother Allan always said “the stork brought her to him”.  Allan and Mom stayed close from that point on. Growing up on a farm was not easy. Mom learned to cook a full meal for all the field workers by the age of 10.  Before school there were chores to be done.  Feeding chickens, feeding and milking cows, preparing meals and lunches and then the head off to school by horse or in the winter by sled was a typical day for her.  Summers meant long working days - everything they required to eat was grown, canned, baked and preserved or hunted.   There were weekly trips to Selkirk to sell the eggs and pickup flour, sugar, and salt for the busy week ahead.

The farm consisted of fields of cucumbers to pick, which were taken to town and dropped off at the canning plant to be made into pickles.  Mom hated picking cucumbers because for every cucumber she picked, two new ones would grow back.  Potatoes were her favorite to harvest as you only had to dig them up once.

In the fall all the crops had to be harvested. There were no combines back then. The hay was cut with a sickle and then put on the wagon that was pulled by the horses.  Mom’s job was to stack the hay while Papa drove the wagon.  On one occasion Mom was on top of the hay pile stacking with a pitchfork when she lost her balance and started to fall of the top of the pile.  Papa quickly grabbed Mom by the foot as she was about to fall under the wagon which would have probably trampled her.   After that, she got to drive the horses which she enjoyed so much more.

After grade school, she moved to Winnipeg and lived with her cousin Eleanor while attending Secretarial School. It was at this time that she began her career at Hutchings.  It was Eleanor and her husband Stan who introduced Mom to our Dad; Scott.

Mom and Dad were married on January 25th, 1958. Their first home in Winnipeg was on Jubilee Avenue and shortly after they moved to 424 Polson Avenue.  It was no easy task raising four kids in a house that was quite small, but none of us would have it any other way.  Growing up in the Rafnson household meant family.  Family dinners, family game nights, family camping trips and family gatherings were always something to be treasured.  Mom would work part-time during Christmas at Canada Post, while being a full-time Mom, just to make sure presents were under the tree.

Fourteen years later, our family moved to Maddock Avenue in West St Paul.  The memories continued with many family dinners, birthdays and Christmas celebrations.  The Rafnson family quickly expanded through weddings and the addition of grandchildren.

In 1976, Mom went back to work and took a position at the Manitoba Home for Girls as a part-time cook.  Thereafter, she moved to the position of Counsellor and ultimately finished her career as Assistant Superintendent at what then became the Seven Oaks Centre for Youth. It was here that she made many new friendships.  One of those being her very special friend; Patti.  They became good friends at work, which continued after retirement until Mom’s final days.

After retirement, our Mom and Dad enjoyed many winters in Titusville, Florida where highlights were picking oranges and grapefruit and Mom driving the golf cart while Dad played golf.  These were cherished times spent with their American Family along with making many new friendships.

After moving to apartments on Leila Avenue and Reay Crescent, it was when they moved into Concordia Village that they found their forever home.  Here they made many new friends and loved participating in all of the many activities and entertainment that Concordia arranged. A special “Thank You” to the staff at Concordia Village for all the time and care you gave to our parents. 

Mom loved sports – never participated in any, but she could tell any referee, umpire or sports official, all their mistakes. She never missed any of her children or grandchildren's activities; whether it was hockey, baseball, soccer, curling, gymnastics, or basketball. She also never missed the many school recitals, concerts, plays, band and jazz concerts. Her favorite sports were curling and watching “her” Winnipeg Jets.   She was extremely competitive in any game she played; just ask her fellow residents at Concordia.  She loved bridge, scrabble, bingo, darts and was a force to be reckoned with in crib.  In her later years, Mom seldom missed watching the Winnipeg Jets 2.0 unless there was a curling bonspiel to watch that took precedent. 

Our home was always filled with love, laughter, happiness and great food. The words “I love you”, were spoken as often as “Hello” and “Good bye”. Times were not always easy, but through it all Mom's strength carried her and in turn she carried us.  You always knew you were safe in her arms.  She loved her hugs and kisses and never missed waving goodbye to you from her apartment window or the balcony.    

Right next to her family was Mom's love of God.  Her faith sustained her all of her life.  Her spiritual life began as a child when she attended Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Selkirk.  As a family we then became members of Zion Lutheran Church when we lived on Polson Avenue.  When we moved to West St. Paul, Mom and Dad went back to Good Shepard until they moved to Concordia Village.  They faithfully attended the services at Concordia and became faithful friends with Pastor Herman.  In addition to attending services at Concordia Village, one of her greatest joys was to have her grandson Zach pick her up every Sunday for service at Springs Church.

As a testament to what Mom meant to so many people, were by the many names she was known as.  Thelma, Mom, Nan, Great Nan, Auntie Thel, Mrs. Raf and Raffy.  

Robin's Message: 

How do I put into words what my mom means to me?  She was my strength.  She was my joy.  She taught me how to be a wife and a mom. How to raise my family with unconditional love.  She taught me how to teach my children to be loving, strong, and independent.  Her smile would light up a room and fill my heart. That tiny little woman was my super hero.  She was mighty, she was strong, she was my rock.  I know she's happy now.  She's with my dad.  Hugging him, dancing with him and loving him.  That gives me peace.  I love you Mom. Now, forever and always. 

Rory’s Message:

Mom thank you for saving Dad with your love, patience and prayers.  The day that Pop accepted Jesus as his savior, I did too.  You got 2 for 1 that day.  Say hi to Dad for us, we are so happy that you are together again.  Myself, Aynsley and the kids are going to miss you terribly.

Love Rory,  

Randy’s Message:

My Mom – True Grit.  A short story about my Mom.  It would have been in the mid 70’s, coming down Polson Avenue, our neighbor’s son and myself got into a tussle. Very quickly the boy’s mother came running out of her house and began to chase me down the street.  When I reached our house and ran inside the front door out of breath. Mom asked what happened, and the next thing I knew, there was my Mom chasing this lady back down the street the other way. My Mom, My Hero, we will remember and miss you always.  Randy, Sue, Kristi, Sarah, and families.

Ronalee’s Message:

Mom, I am so ever grateful and blessed to have chosen or to have been chosen to take care of you and Dad over the years.  Your unconditional love, friendship, and faith have filled my heart my mind, that it overflows.  The impact and bond you made with me, David, Zach, Caitlyn, Brock and Ripley, cannot be measured.  I will miss all our adventures, our daily and nightly check-in, our talks, and the times we just sat together holding hands and smiling at each other with no words at all.  There are truly no words to express my love for you Mom, your strength, faith and determination are lessons for us all.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey home and safely into Dad’s arms and God’s eternal peace.

Always Mom always, Ronnie

Two Souls filled with unconditional love and faith re-joined together again and forever in eternal peace by the Grace of God.

We Love You Mom, Nan, Great Nan

A Celebration of Life for Thelma will be held at Springs Church on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1:00 P.M., 725 Lagimodiere Blvd., Winnipeg, MB. This service will be livestreamed and can be viewed via the following link https://youtube.com/live/LSwIEqiSUQ4?feature=share  The livestream will start at 12:30 p.m.

There will also be a Celebration at Concordia Village Chapel on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 1:30 P.M., 1115 Molson Street, Winnipeg, MB.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diabetes Foundation of Manitoba, or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be left at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thelma (Wiess) Rafnson, please visit our floral store.