Lenard Lyman Dumont

In Loving Memory of

Lenard Lyman Dumont

1934 - 2013

Lenard Lyman Dumont, age 79 years of Stettler, Alberta and formerly of Roblin, Manitoba, passed away Friday, March 1, 2013 at Stettler Hospital in Stettler, Alberta.

Lenard was born February 4, 1934 in the San Clara District of Manitoba, a son of Alec and Agnes (nee Langan) Dumont and grew up with twelve brothers and sisters.

Lenard married Irene Lucier and five children were born, four girls and one boy. Lenard was not around too much when the children were growing up as his jobs working in northern Manitoba and northern Alberta kept him away.

Lenard’s first job as a Crane Operator was in Jenpeg, Manitoba, assisting in the Power Plants. He then worked as a Crane Operator in northern Alberta, mostly in the Grande Prairie area up until he retired and was very proud of this fact. He would often talk about “when I was running the big cranes” on the oil rigs. He talked about the rig fires he assisted in putting out and also moving the triple rigs with the cranes across miles of highway. When he talked about these events he would become quite animated about the whole experience. He became animated about a few things in his life, one his previous jobs, and two hunting and fishing – his passions. Lenard retired in 1997 and then worked part time at Skinner’s Nursery. It was then that he had more time for his passions, and especially fishing at Lake Of The Prairies. Lenard’s family would be surprised if there are any fish there anymore as they are sure he caught most of them.

For a man who spent most of his life in working camps, the family can honestly say that Lenard did not fit that stereotype. He was soft spoken and very rarely became rowdy. He rarely got angry and if anything he would joke around in his quiet way. When the family called him on the phone and asked him what he was up to his answer always was “about 5’9”. Another favourite saying was “I ate ball bearings and green onions and that is why I am so strong, so smart, such a good hunter, fisherman” – that was his answer to all of that.

Considering that Lenard’s jobs took him away from the children growing up, when he came home it was like he never left, in his quiet way he was there. A fond memory of Lenard was when he would say, make sure you come home from school for lunch today because I will be here to cook and he always made fried potatoes. He never said much but you could tell he cared about everything you had to say. It was hard for Lenard to express his feelings but his way was to get anything you needed whether you needed it or not. All of the family can attest to the fact if he came to visit his thing was to go to the grocery store and fill your fridge with groceries. He would also bring pickerel or even rabbit which when he cooked, it was a delicacy. These things showed volumes of love to us.

In August of 2011, the family moved Lenard to Stettler, to keep him company and take care of his health. Lenard moved into a senior’s independent lodge and he didn’t like it all that much. He felt he was too independent for that lifestyle, and reminded his family daily about how much better everything was in Manitoba; from the weather, the food, the fishing, (just about everything really). Gradually he came to call it home and seemed to like the fellow residents and the staff. The staff really liked Lenard and they always said he was very kind and never complained. That fall, Lenard bought himself a power scooter and then he had more freedom and was travelling to Elaine’s and Marlene’s homes and to Wal-Mart for his chocolate bar fix.

People liked Lenard not because he was rich or known to fame, but because he had a gentle way. He was honest, patient and once he retired, he lived his life day to day. He did not have a forceful way but he found things to do in his quiet, keep-busy kind of way. He was the sort of man you would like to be, never rich, famous or arrogant, but proud and quick to come to his family and friends in their time of need.

Don’t Think of Him as Gone Away

 Don’t think of him as gone away –

his journey’s just begun;

life holds so many facets –

this earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting

from the sorrows and the tears

in a place of warmth and comfort

where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing

that we could know, today,

how nothing but our sadness

can really pass away.

And think of him as living

in the hearts of those he touched…

for nothing loved is ever lost –

and he was loved so much.

So this journey they speak of sounds so wonderful, but to us especially (Marlene, Lorraine, Dale, Diane and Elaine) it leaves a sorrow far and wide. We talked about Lenard’s quiet ways but his memory to us will not be quiet – it will be loud and clear.

Surviving are Son, Dale (Sherry) Dumont of Kelowna, B.C, Daughters, Marlene (Dean) Kozak of Stettler, Lorraine (Don) Schmollinger of Roblin, Elaine (Randy) Hudye of Stettler, Diane (Jim) Gall of Regina, Saskatchewan, as well as Grandchildren Dustin and Dallas Schmollinger, Billy and Jay-Dean Kozak, Keylan and Avery Hudye, and Joshua Gall.

Lenard was predeceased by his Parents Alec and Agnes Dumont.

Prayer Vigil Service was held Thursday March 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM from the Chapel of Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home in Roblin.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday March 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Roblin with Rev. Fr. James Ahaneku officiating. Elaine Hudye delivered the Eulogy and Dale Dumont and Randy Hudye read the Scriptures. Casket Bearers were Dustin Schmollinger, Dallas Schmollinger, Billy Kozak, Keylan Hudye, Joshua Gall and Herbie Jerome. 

Following the Interment Prayers at Roblin Catholic Cemetery, a dinner was served by Sacred Heart CWL in the lower hall of Sacred Heart Church.

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

nairn-chyzfuneralhome.com