After a long life, well lived, (John) Willis Kieper, late of Russell, Manitoba died peacefully on April 27, 2016, six weeks and two days shy of his 100th birthday at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon. Willis was predeceased by his beloved wife Lorena (Tony) nee Adolphe in 1983, his great grandson Brady in 1991, parents, and brothers: Tom, Ross, & Alex, and step-son Don Thickett. He is survived by his second wife Verna (Evans), son Jim (Brian Spilak), daughters Judy (Kelly Caughlin), Jan (Ron Payne), daughter in law Rose Kieper, step-daughters Gail Thickett and Joyce Evans (Tim Lee), and sole surviving brother Bill Kieper. His legacy continues with his grandchildren Tom & Cindy Kieper, Teresa & Curtis Boucher, Richard & Tracy Kieper, Sue Caughlin & Lance McKinley, Mark Caughlin & Kendra Gaede, Paul & Diana Steiner, Josh Payne & Susan Ewasko, Brett Payne, Douglas & Daniella Thickett, Kim Thickett & Rod Marks, and great-grandchildren Ashton, Wyatt, Lane, Luke, Carter, Matthew, Alexander, Tyler, Jenna & Brianna. Willis was born June 10,1916, the fourth of five sons, on the family farm located in the Minniska District to parents Julius & Lettie Kieper. He had little formal education, leaving school in the eighth grade, but became a life long learner in attitude and practice. While in his teens, Willis developed a successful mink fur business with his brother Alex as a sideline to the family farm, until the late '30's. He took over his father's farm in 1940 and in 1941 married Lorena Adolphe of Russell. In the early 1950s he began developing a purebred registered Hereford herd and by 1963 Willis and son Jim formed a farm partnership under the name of Half Diamond K Ranch. Over the years they earned first place ribbons and Grand Champions at winter fairs and cattle shows. A pinnacle in 1973 saw Half Diamond K take the championship in every category of Hereford bulls at the Brandon Winter Fair. Willis was Named to the Canadian Hereford Association Honour roll in 1984. Willis was involved in many farm organizations serving as a director of the Manitoba Beef Grower's Association and the Manitoba Cattle Producer's Assoc. He was Manitoba Director for the Canadian Hereford Association and then it's president in 1972. While president and head of the Canadian delegation, he and Tony travelled to England and then Â鶹´«Ã½AV Africa to attend the World Hereford Conference. Their grandchildren enjoyed many years of Grandma Tony's slide shows from that journey featuring English countryside, city of London, and their safari in Â鶹´«Ã½AV Africa. Willis joined the Masonic Order in 1960 served as Master of the Russell Masonic Lodge in 1967, and past District Deputy Grand Master of Fifth Masonic District. He was a life long member of the United Church first in Minniska, then Russell Knox United, and Trinity United in Brandon the last three years. Willis married Verna Evans and they moved to the town of Russell in 1987. They resided there until August of 2012 when they moved to Victoria Landing Assisted Living in Brandon. A celebration of his life was held at the Knox United Church, Russell, MB at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2016 with Rev David Howell officiating. Interment followed in the Russell Memorial Gardens. If friends so desire donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba. Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service of Russell was in care of arrangements. (204) 773-2747.
