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Archibald (Archie) Cecil Norrie died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010,
at the Reston Health Centre at the age of 82, following a long
illness with congestive heart failure. Archie was the beloved
husband of Jean and loving father to Joanne, Janice and Denise.
Born on a farm near Decker, MB, on Oct. 30, 1927, Archie
was the seventh child in a family of 10 born to John and
Helen Norrie. In 1942, the family moved to a farm near
Isabella, MB, where Archie, at age 14, took over the
management with the help of his younger brothers, Cyril and Gordon.
Their father's suffering from the after-effects of World War I was
the reason for his prolonged absences from the farm, as he would
often need to stay in the Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg because
of his ill health.
In 1947, Archie worked as a farmhand around Midnapore, AB. In 1950,
he returned to Manitoba and worked on the Alexander farm near Decker
and on a farm near Isabella for Jack Finkbeiner and his son, Johnny.
On Nov. 14, 1953, Archie married Jean Harrison of Isabella and
together they raised three daughters. His love of farming lead to the
purchase of the farm homesteaded by Jean's maternal grandparents,
Charles and Jane Craig, where he lived with Jean until 2005 when
they moved to Virden, MB.
Archie was predeceased by his parents John and Helen, brothers
George (killed in World War II), Bill (Lois), Gordon, Charlie
(Phyllis and Eunice) and sisters Thelma (Don) Carnegie,
Eleanor (Mel) Begg, Cora (Ted) Shier and nephew Don Norrie.
He was also predeceased by Jean's family – parents Harry and Mary,
brothers Jim, Doug, Charlie (Verna and Isobel),
sister Margaret (Allan) Dickie, niece Lynne Harrison Dunitz and
great-niece Cathy-Jo Harrison.
Archie is survived by his wife Jean of 56 years and their daughters
Joanne (Ron) Huberdeau of Isabella, Janice Norrie of Medicine Hat, AB,
and Denise (Bernard) Simard of St. Lazare. Also left to mourn are his
grandchildren and their families: Leigh (Margaret), BreeAnne, Jodan,
Aanick Huberdeau of Rainbow Lake, AB, Joel Huberdeau (Barb Kowalzik)
of Airdrie, AB; Daniel (Sylvia), Jonah, Jaicee, Jax Huberdeau
of Winnipeg; Jamie (Tana) and Acadia Huberdeau of Isabella,
Andrea Klassen of Nelson, BC; Brian and Jared Simard of
Brandon and Jenna Simard of St. Lazare. He is also survived by brothers
Frank (Ruth) Norrie of Surrey, BC, Cyril (Doreen) Norrie of Isabella
and sisters-in-law Gloria Norrie of High River, AB, and
Jeannine Harrison of Hamiota, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The celebration of Archie's life was held in the
Isabella Community Church with Reverend Heather Robbins officiating on
Saturday, Aug. 7. His six grandsons were pallbearers and the organist
was friend Linda Clark. His grandchildren Daniel and Andrea gave the
eulogy which captured Archie's unique sense of humour. The choir
consisted of friends from surrounding communities. The interment was
in the Isabella cemetery followed by a reception in the Isabella Hall
served by the ladies of the community. Braendle-Bruce Funeral Services
of Russell, MB was in care of arrangements.