Nelson Frederick George Smith

Passed away at the Wawanesa Personal Care Home on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the age of 84 years, Nelson Frederick George Smith, of Ninette, MB.

Nelson was born the second oldest of seven on the family farm south of Baldur, Manitoba on September 18, 1939. When a teaching assignment relocated Yvonne Campbell to the area, Nelson met his future wife. Nelson married Yvonne Campbell, on July 9, 1960 after he built a small house on a quarter of farmland close to the Smith family farm. As the story is told, he built the house on his own as that’s what he needed to do to marry Yvonne. They would pack their small boys in their VW bug and travel to visit the Campbells at their General Store in Roseisle. After some time, Nelson and Yvonne moved their young family to a farm purchased from the Clench’s just outside Ninette where they grew their family to five children. Only after Yvonne passed away in 2019 did Nelson leave the farm to move to the Wawanesa Care Home.

Nelson’s life was dedicated to farming and children. Nelson and Yvonne fostered children in need for around 25 years and raised five of their own. Farming was Nelson’s passion with almost every hour of every day spent working the land, or with the livestock. A family “trip” was a road trip to check crops all the way “down east” to south of Baldur, south of Belmont where if you walked through the bush you could see the lake, back to east of Ninette in the valley and then to the north.

Growing up on a farm before tractors were commonplace, Nelson worked with horses for chores on the farm. This was not an enjoyable experience for him which is why amongst the many, many animals on the farm, there was not a single horse to be found but instead many tractors. He was always learning, researching then trying new farming practices to improve the farm operations and then encouraging his sons to do the same. Some ideas were successful, some, such as coriander, were not, but he would never be deterred from the next idea. He built a successful farming legacy to be carried on by the next generation.

Nelson really enjoyed visits with the surrounding farm neighbours, his siblings, cousins and the Campbell family. He showed an interest in many topics and people and was able to have a conversation and commentary about almost everything. When in hospital recovering from knee surgery, the favorite topic of conversation was how the corn was growing and what Philip, Charles and Michael were up to on the farm. Every conversation led back to the farm and Yvonne which is truly where his heart was.   

Nelson chose a life of farming and family. He worked tirelessly without complaint and he will be remembered by many for the hardworking, kind person he truly was.

Nelson leaves to mourn his passing sons Philip Smith & Charles (Carrie) Smith of Ninette, MB, daughters Judi (Steve) Hattersley & Veronica (Cory) Johnston of Minnedosa, MB, daughter-in-law Janice Smith of Ninette, MB, sister-in-law Velma Cummer of Carman, MB; eight grandchildren Derek, Charlie (Andrea), Adam, Kevin (Tara), James, Andrew, Sarah, & Asia-Rose, as well as six great grandchildren Hunter, Kyle, Tyler, Amora, Alexander & Lilith.

Nelson is also survived by his siblings Myrtle (Bill) Nichols of Glenboro, MB, Frank Smith & Susan (Gordon) Kentner of Baldur, MB, Lorna (Andy) Van Esch of Cranbrook, BC, David (Lisa) Smith of Onanole, MB as well as numerous extended relatives & friends.

Nelson was predeceased by his wife Yvonne (nee Campbell) in 2019, son Michael in 2023, parents Harold & Rose Smith and brother Charlie Smith.

Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Ninette Cemetery with Sharon Hamilton officiating. Following the interment a reception will be held at the Ninette Community Hall. Everyone is welcome.

Memorial donations can be made in his memory to the Parkinson Society of Canada, 7-414-Westmount Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R2J 1P2.

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