Iris Margaret Gladys Walker, oldest daughter of Ray and Gladys (Gunn) Walker, was born January 31, 1919, Vanguard, Saskatchewan. On April 9, 1936 at Wallard, Sask. Iris married John Rosser, who was born on January 31, 1909 at Portypridd, Glenn Wales, Great Britain. His parents were William John Rosser and Gevenllian Griffiths.
Iris’s husband John’s nationality is Welsh and that dates back several generations. John was employed in the steel mill for 32 years. Iris was a wonderful housewife and did a lot of volunteer work in the community, She started a school and workshop for the mentally retarded. They have fostered 13 children, five babies and fostered two adult girls for several years. Iris worked in St. John’s ambulance volunteer service for several years. She was appointed librarian for the newly formed Genealogy Society of Manitoba in 1976.
Iris liked to crochet and knit. John had many talents, he laid bricks well, cut hair, was a good carpenter and even cooked. He loved children and gardening, He did like cows but didn’t like horses, fishing, bowling or hunting. However, John did trap for furs when they lived on the prairie. Their six children include David, Glenn, Francis, Evan, Alwyn and Shelly.
Iris Margaret Gladys Walker Rosser was her maiden name. She is in the family history of Hull and Delany. She is a widow now as of three years last September 23, John passed away in 1983. She still lives in her own house in Selkirk – 313 Durrerin Ave, Iris and John would have been married 50 years had he lived until April of 1986. According to the second addition of the Family History Hull-Delany book, 1984-1990, Iris says she is “grateful for her good health and that she lives near enough to her children to enjoy their company, She has traveled quite a bit. She has been over to Britain, toured parts of england and Wales for two weeks by rented car with her daughter Shelley in 1984. They spent one week touring five countries in Europe and spent one week in a hotel at Hyde Park near Kensington Castle. The weather was great and their health was good. They saw London by bus, tube and really enjoyed it. Last summer, Iris visited Dell Smith and family and Mary Christensen, Iris was with Ural, Pat, and Glen Murphy. That was indeed a pleasant experience. Of course they saw and enjoyed several family members. They found Baker, Nebraska, long removed now and visited the Baker Lutheran Cemetery where her little aunt, Vivian (Viva) Walker, was laid to rest and it’s comforting to know that family watches over her little grave.”
Iris enjoyed her stay for three weeks in the Mission Mountains near Missoula, Montana and then up to Canada and she visited her son, Evan, Linda and Nancy. She went to Expo 86 in Vancouver, B.C. for five days. It was beautiful weather. the train ride was very enjoyable through the mountains.
Iris spent some time working as a volunteer in Manitoba genealogy library, and also i the Selkirk Public Library. She is a retired member of St. John’s Ambulance. She attended interesting meetings. She surely enjoyed touring through the five states with the Murphys and was so impressed with the petunias all in bloom in front of boulevards covering the who city of Pierre, South Dakota.
In the Winnipeg Free Press I found the obituary for Iris Walker Rosser, who passed away May 7, 2007. It read, peacefully Mom passed away with family at her side at the Red River Place, Selkirk, Manitoba, at the age of 88 years. Iris was predeceased by her loving husband, John on Sept. of 1983 and two sisters, Elaine Crostin and Dorothy Walters. She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by sons, David (Leila) Glen, Ted (Lou) Evan (Penny) and Alwyn (Darlene) and daughter Shelley, her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sisters, Betty and Patsy, brother Francis and numerous nieces and nephews. She was the mother of 18 foster children throughout her life. Iris was born January 31, 1919 in Vanguard, Sask. daughter of the late Raymond and Gladys Walker. She married her childhood sweetheart, John in 1936 and they moved to Selkirk in 1941. Iris was very active in the community with the Association of Community Living for which she received a Long Service Award. She was also a long standing member of St. John’s Ambulance. Iris was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, where she served as their librarian for many years. Genealogy was also a passion of hers. The family wishes to thank Dr. Lindenschmidt and the staff at Red River Place for the wonderful care given her over the last several years.
- Glyn William Owen Rosser
- Obituary
- It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend Glyn Rosser of Matheson Island MB.
- Remaining to forever cherish Glyn’s memory is his only daughter Laurie Mae (Monty) whom he called his Dolly; his sons Christopher and Leslie whom he thought of often; his grandsons whom he loved very much Trent, Dominic, Shayne, and Bryson; bothers Ted (Mary Lou), Alwyn (Darlene), and Evan (Penny); sister Shelly; good buddies David Stephanson Kenny Bird and Frank Marsh (Chopper) and numerous nieces and nephews and friends and ex son-in-law Dwayne Johnston. Dad was predeceased by his parents John and Iris; older brother Dave and Niece Nancy June.
- Born at Pontiex, Saskatchewan on August 3 1940, then moving to Selkirk where he grow up, then later in life settling at Matheson Island were he was the engineer in the Edgarwood Fairy that travelled to Bloodvien. Dad loved fixing and building things like the house he bought on the Island, telling his grandsons and friends stories of his Navy years, and playing the guitar.
- A celebration of dads life will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, MB with Pastor Fred Peters Officiating. Interment will follow at a later date. Urnbearers will be his grandsons, honorary urnbearers will be his good buddies David Stephanson, Kenny Bird and his brothers Ted, Alwyn, and Evan.
- The family would like to thank the hospital and staff at Gimli Community Health Centre and Seven Oaks Hospital for the care of Glyn.
