Murray Ross Leatherdale

In Loving Memory of
Murray Ross Leatherdale
age 87

Died
February 19, 2022
Pembina Manitou Health Centre
Manitou, Manitoba

Public Graveside Service
Friday, May 27, 2022
Manitou Cemetery
Manitou, Manitoba
2:00 p.m.

Donations in memory of Murray may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Murray Ross Leatherdale was born August 27, 1934 in Morden. He was the second child of Harry and Alice Leatherdale. His sister Gwen was 3 years older. Murray and Gwen grew up on the family farm between Darlingford  and Manitou. His early childhood was spent in the 30’s at a time when farming was extremely difficult. His father Harry often told stories of low prices, poor crops and having to burn his wheat fields. They were fortunate to have feed for their animals and food from an excellent garden that Alice tended. Gwen and Murray had early memories of their Dad bringing home strangers from the train station to help out for a day or two in exchange for a meal and a bed.         Murray and Gwen attended Middleton School. They rode horseback to school for many of their years there. Murray loved being outside and talked about running races, field days and playing pick up baseball with the neighbor boys. We found a picture of Murray, as a young man on a motorbike with a huge grin on his face.
>    As a teenager and young adult Murray worked with his father on the farm. He continued to love horses and to work with and buy cattle. He gradually took over running the farm. He also spent some time working at the auction barn and as a cattle buyer.
>    Murray was married November 12, 1960 to Lily Robinson of Medora. A new house was built in the farmyard. Lily moved back to Melita in 1966.
>    As a child and an adult, Murray always enjoyed his time spent with his Leatherdale cousins:  Howard, Orville, Ross and Lynne. He often drove to Morden or Miami and stopped for coffee and a visit with them. He always attended local fairs and rodeos.
>    Special holidays and Sunday afternoons often found him at Gwen and Arthur’s visiting with his sister, brother in law, nieces and nephews and their extended families. When Alice moved to Prairie View Lodge, a Sunday visit there became part of his routine. Later, he often made the trip to his nephew Ross’s for Sunday morning coffee.
>     When Harry passed on, the land was rented and Murray moved to Manitou with his mother Alice to the Hancock house. He lived there until he moved to the Manitou PCH in 2018.
>   Murray took pleasure in driving through the countryside. His short visits with relatives and store clerks and restaurant servers made his day. His extended family would like to thank all of those neighbors and strangers who treated him kindly for so many years.
>    Murray passed away at Manitou PCH on February 19, 2022.

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