Frances Papp

On December 20, 2025, with family at her side, Frances Papp of Benito, passed away peacefully at her home at the Benito Health Centre, at the age of 98 years, 11 months, and 13 days.

Mom was born on January 7, 1927 on the family homestead in the Bearhead District near Benito to William and Laura Kastrukoff. After attending the local school, upgrading through correspondence and helping on the family farm, she ventured out to New Westminster, BC with family and found work in a distillery. After returning home, she took the path of earning her LPN diploma in Winnipeg. After working for a short time away from home, she returned to work at the Benito Hospital. It was there that she met the love of her life, our Dad, Alexander.

Mom and Dad were married in October 1953 and shared 61 years together, being blessed with 5 children. Mom had given up her nursing career to be by Dad’s side, enduring the hard work of building up the family farm. After living in small portable housing to allow for bush work in the winters, they built their permanent home in 1959 on the homestead in the Whitebeach area we called home. After spending 34 years on the farm, they retired to Swan River in 1987, enjoying a new home they had built. For the next 28 years, their home was the centre of many more beautiful family memories. Being in town made it so easy to come over regularly from work and school and we all treasured those times. Mom, along with Dad, also enjoyed spending time with friends and playing lots of cards.

Mom loved music and singing, especially with harmony. In her younger years, she sang a lot of Russian hymns with family and friends. Later in life, she enjoyed listening to her children have singalongs and would join in whenever she could.

Mom was an avid gardener. She took great pride in her cellar being filled with canning to provide for her family and company. Everyone enjoyed her delicious cooking and baking. No one ever left hungry from her kitchen. She spoiled us with hot breakfast waiting for us on our plates in the oven before heading off to school. Once a week we got home from school to enjoy fresh buns and delicious cinnamon buns. We will try to carry on the tradition of making her signature Russian borscht and tarts, but hers are a hard act to follow. Mom enjoyed her TV time. She kept up on all the news, had a rest in the afternoon with a soap, and on the lighter side, had many laughs watching her favourites, All in the Family and Everybody Loves Raymond.

When asked what was her greatest accomplishment in life, she simply replied “her children”. She came from a small family and truly enjoyed raising a large family and then devoting endless hours watching over her grandchildren. She was such a strong person, overcoming life and health challenges, always keeping a positive outlook on life. She was our true Matriarch, keeping tabs on everyone. She always had encouraging and wise words for us. We were blessed to enjoy her humour and wit to the very end. Everyone who had the pleasure of spending time with Mom loved her. At her age and with her sharp mind, stories were abundant and she loved to share them. She impressed many with her signature purple hair and fooled many with her age, attributing her beautiful complexion to Oil of Olay.

After Dad’s passing in January 2015, Mom made the move to the Thunderhill Courts in Benito in July of the same year. For the next 10 years, she enjoyed her cozy apartment with good friends nearby. With the struggles of growing older, she made the move to the Benito Health Centre in July of this year. We truly appreciate the kindness, caring, and compassion given to Mom while a resident there.

Mom was predeceased by parents William and Laura, brother Bill (Violet) and husband, Alex.

Left to cherish her memory, son Clayton (Debbie) of Red Deer, AB and grandchildren Erica and Joshua (Tanya), son Wesley (Hanoi) of Edmonton, AB and grandchildren Kyle (Jane) and Sterling, daughter Donna (Dwayne) Gallerneault, and grandchildren Michelle, Beau (Meghan) and Ryan (Paulette), son Terry (Kathy) and grandchildren Lucas (Kelby) and Dylan (Nikki), daughter Lenore (Ricky) Kinaschuk of Benito and grandchildren Nathan (Sheri) and Tyson (Zoe). Great grandchildren (Carson, Zach, Jazmyn) (Erik, Vera) (Tianna, Gabby, Hudson, Linden, Sasha) (Cora, Isobel, Atlee, Berkley) and (Becks). Great great grandchild, Amelia.

“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us” – Helen Keller

If friends so desire, memorial donations in memory of Frances can be made to the Benito Rec Centre, Box 187, Benito, MB R0L 0C0 or a charity of one’s choice.

A celebration of Mom’s life will be held in July 2026, which everyone will be welcome to attend. Details to follow.