Historic Sites of Manitoba: Ochre River School No. 919 (Ochre River, RM of Lakeshore)

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Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

The Ochre River School District was organized formally in October 1897 and a log school building was erected in Ochre River in what is now the Rural Municipality of Lakeshore. It was soon replaced, in 1899, by a wood frame structure which served until around 1908 when a two-storey, two-classroom school was built. Two classrooms were added to it in 1948. Shortly afterward, high students began to be bused to Dauphin. A third classroom was added in 1953 and, in the 1960s, a hut was added to make a total of six classrooms. One of those rooms, in the basement, was converted to a library.

The original schoolhouse was replaced by the present structure, a six-classroom building with gymnasium and library designed by architects D. St. Lawrence and Peter Wong, and constructed in 1977 by Central Canadian Structures Limited. It opened officially on 25 November 1977. A commemorative monument, topped with a metal model of the earlier school building, was erected in July 1987.

Principals

Period	Principal
1912	Hugh F. Field (?-?)
1912-1920	?
1920-1924	David Smith Tod (1870-1937)
1924-1928	Robert William Dunlop (1876-?)
1928-1931	Louis Erwin “Lewis” Gendron (1896-1973)
1931-1932	Sidney Irvine “Sears” Mott (1870-1957)
1932-1934	William Nelson “Nels” Harvey (1907-2004)
1934-1936	Marie M. Evans
1936-1937	Arthur A. Foster
1937-1940	Edward Marshall Maguire (1915-2005)
1940-1941	Melvin G. Pipe
1941-1946	William George Cooper (1911-1983)
1946-1952	Ernest Carl Single (c1923-2010)
1952-1953	Cecil Victor Gunn (1894-1981)
1953-1954	Marie Barton
1954-1956	Nicholas Yarish (1924-2012)
1956-1958	Jan Kup
1958-1959	Abe L. Petkau
1959-1960	Steve Onyschak
1960-1961	Julius Skublen
1961-1963	?
1963-1965	Barry McLachlan
1965-1970	?
1970-1972	Ed Mukluk
1972-1975	Conrad Artibise
1975-1980	William Gulenchin
1980-1984	Marjorie Wildeboer
1984-1987	Dave Mason
1987-1995	Arnold Tokaryk
1995-1996	Donna Jaremy
1996-1997	George Alexander Ferley (1942-2000)
1997-1999	Ken Romaniuk
1999-2005	Donna Davidson
2005-2015	Richard Shankaruk
2015-2024	Nathan Thacker

Teachers

Among the early teachers of Ochre River School were Mr. Broadfoot (1898), Anna Switzer, Mamie Sparrow (1938), Gladys Birnie (1938), Margot Richter (1938), E. V. Archibald (1938), H. Atkin (1938), Bernice Geraldine Hearn, Miss Gillespie, Miss Reed, Kathleen Code Simpson, Edith King Marsh, and Paul Hiebert.

School Year	Teachers
1954-1955	Mrs. Josephine Allen, Mrs. Marie Barton, Morris Bohonos, Miss Mabel Geisel, George Pavlin
1955-1956	Mrs. Josephine Allen, Morris Bohonos, Miss Mavis Fox, Michael Kotyluk, George Pavlin
1956-1957	Mrs. Josephine Allen, Joseph Tysarski, Mrs. Violet Tysarski, Alice Watt
1957-1958	Mrs. Josephine Allen, Shirley Allen, Joseph Tysarski, Mrs. Violet Tysarski
1958-1959	Mrs. Josephine Allen, Shirley Allen, Waldy Humeniuk, Mrs. Verna King
1959-1960	Miss Edna Giesbrecht, Mrs. Verna King, Julius Skublen, Mrs. Rosa Solomon
1960-1961	Miss Edna Giesbrecht, Mrs. Verna King, Mrs. Rosa Solomon
1961-1962	?
1962-1963	Betty Ziprick Foster, ?
1963-1964	Miss Mary Aitken, Mrs. Wilma McLennon
1964-1965	Mrs. Wilma McLennon, Mrs. Mary Quick
1965-1966	Mrs. Audrey Houston, Margaret Morgan
1966-1967	?
1967-1968	?
1968-1969	?
1969-1970	?
1970-1971	Mrs. Finnan, Audrey Houston, Alice Howatt, Donna Watson
1971-1972	Mrs. Finnan, Audrey Houston, Alice Howatt, Donna Watson
1972-1973	Audrey Houston, Alice Howatt, Lynne Martin, Marion Radford, Marjorie Wildeboer
1973-1974	Elaine Dixon, Audrey Houston, Alice Howatt, Lynne Martin, Marion Radford, Marjorie Wildeboer
1974-1975	Audrey Houston, Alice Howatt, Lynne Martin, Marion Radford, Marjorie Wildeober
1975-1976	Audrey Dowler, Audrey Houston, Alice Howatt, Wilma McLennan, Marion Radford, D. Rottman, Marjorie Wildeboer
1976-1977	Arlene Day, Audrey Dowler, Audrey Houston, Wilma McLennan, Marion Radford, D. Rottman, Marjorie Wildeboer
1977-1978	Audrey Dowler, Audrey Houston, Wilma McLennan, Gerald Monkman, Marion Radford, Emily Recknell, Marjorie Wildeboer
1978-1979	Audrey Dowler, William Gulenchin (grades 8, 9), Audrey Houston (grade 5), Wilma McLennan (kindergarten), Gerald Monkman (grades 6, 7), Marion Radford (grades 1, 2) Emily Recknell (grades 3, 4), Marjorie Wildeboer
1979-1980	Craig Christopherson, Audrey Dowler, Audrey Houston, Don Maki, Wilma McLennan, Gerald Monkman, Marion Radford, Emily Recknell, Marjorie Wildeboer
1980-1981	Dorothy Aime, Julie Belinsky, C. Chartrand, Audrey Dowler, William Gulenchin (grades 8, 9), Audrey Houston (grades 3, 4), Wilma McLennan (kindergarten), Don Maki (grade 7), Gerald Monkman (grades 5, 6), Marion Radford (grade 1), Emily Recknell (grade 2)
1981-1982	Julie Belinsky (grades 5, 6), Elizabeth Herman (grades 3, 4), Audrey Houston, Don Maki (grades 8, 9), Wilma McLennan (kindergarten), Verna Overby (grades 7, 8), Marion Radford (grade 1), Emily Recknell (grades 2, 3)
1982-1983	Julie Belinsky, Shirley Carson, Audrey Houston, Dave Katcsma, Don Maki, Wilma McLennan, Verna Oversby, Emily Recknell, Edith Thompson (assistant)
1983-1984	Julie Belinsky, Shirley Carson, Audrey Houston, Don Maki, Inky Mark, Wilma McLennan, Vera Oversby, Emily Recknell, Ruth Somerville (assistant), Edith Thompson (assistant)
1984-1985	Julie Belinsky, Shirley Carson, Audrey Houston, Don Maki, Wilma McLennan, Glenn Perrin, Emily Recknell, Edith Thompson (assistant), Marjorie Wildeboer
1985-1986	Deb Brezden, Shirley Carson, Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Ken Malcolm, Wilma McLennan, Aline Oversby (assistant), Glenn Perrin, Emily Recknell, Edith Thompson (assistant) Marjorie Wildeboer
1986-1987	Shirley Carson, Deb Dupley, Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Sherri Jacobs (assistant), Ken Malcolm, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wilma McLennan, Glenn Perrin, Emily Recknell, Marjorie Wildeboer
1987-1988	Shirley Carson, Deb Dupley, Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Sherri Jacobs (assistant), Ken Malcolm, Wilma McLennan, Aline Oversby (assistant), Glenn Perrin, Emily Recknell, Marjorie Wildeboer
1988-1989	Barb Brunen (assistant), Deb Dupley, Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Ken Malcolm, Wilma McLennan, Aline Oversby (assistant), Glen Perrin, Mary Quick, Emily Recknell, Marjorie Wildeboer
1989-1990	Shirley Carson, Donna Davidson, Cathy Diduch, Glenda Enns (assistant), Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Ken Malcolm, Wilma McLennan, Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Emily Recknell, Marjorie Wildeboer
1990-1991	Marie-Rose Brown (assistant), Denise Campbell, Shirley Carson, Donna Davidson, Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Wilma McLennan, Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Emily Recknell, Alana Sirtonski, Marjorie Wildeboer
1991-1992	Shirley Carson, Donna Davidson, Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), David Juce, Wilma McLennan, Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Emily Recknell, Marjorie Wildeboer
1992-1993	Donna Davidson, Audrey Houston, Debbie Howatt (assistant), David Juce, Wilma McLennan, Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Emily Recknell, Nathan Thacker, Marjorie Wildeboer
1993-1994	Donna Davidson, Miss Estabrooks, Cecilia Fjeldsted, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Mike Laczko, Wilma McLennan, Aline Ovesby (assistant), Emily Recknell, V. Walker, Marjorie Wildeboer
1994-1995	Gail Bonner, Donna Davidson, Cecilia Fjeldsted, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Emily Recknell, Tenley Schmidt, Marjorie Wildeboer
1995-1996	Gail Bonner, Donna Davidson, Cecilia Fjeldsted, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Brad Hryhoruk, Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Emily Recknell, Tenley Schmidt, Marjorie Wildeboer
1996-1997	Gail Bonner, Donna Davidson, Rhonda Hominiuk, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Brenda Mitchell, Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Bill Wynn
1997-1998	Gail Bonner, Donna Davidson, Rhonda Hominiuk, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Aline Oversby (assistant), Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Jennifer Smaluck, Bill Wynn
1998-1999	Donna Davidson, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Dale Marchenski (library clerk), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Richard Shankaruk, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant), Bill Wynn
1999-2000	Debbie Howatt (assistant), Dale Marchenski (librarian), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Richard Shankaruk, Jennifer Stackhouse, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2000-2001	Jackie Davies, Tracy Genik, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Dale Marchenski (librarian clerk), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Richard Shankaruk, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2001-2002	Tanis Bennet, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Ron Johnson, Joanna Labossiere-Laluk, Dale Marchenski (librarian), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Richard Shankaruk, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2002-2003	Debbie Howatt (assistant), Joanna Labossiere-Laluk, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Richard Shankaruk, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2003-2004	Cynthia Amman, Kim Currie, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Darlene McPhee (librarian), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Richard Shankaruk, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2004-2005	Margie Freeman, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Richard Shankaruk, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2005-2006	Margie Freeman, Deanna Hanson, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Darlene McPhee (librarian), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2006-2007	Melanie Balanyk (librarian), Margie Freeman, Deanna Hanson, Warren Heschuk, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Aline Oversby (assistant), Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2007-2008	Carla Butterfield (assistant), Margie Freeman, Deanna Hanson, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Kathy McLennan (librarian), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2008-2009	Margie Freeman, Deanna Hanson, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2009-2010	Lori Bjorklund, Margie Freeman, Shalane Geertsema (assistant), Deanna Hanson, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Mary Quick, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2010-2011	Lori Bjorklund, Carla Butterfield (assistant), Stacey Cook, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Maureen Neabel, Theresa Neufeld, Aline Oversby (assistant), Tanis Precourt, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2011-2012	Lori Bjorklund, Carla Butterfield (assistant), Debbie Howatt (assistant), Maureen Neabel, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant), Chris Todoruk
2012-2013	Lori Bjorklund, Carla Butterfield (assistant), Debbie Howatt (assistant), Maureen Neabel, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant), Chris Todoruk
2013-2014	Carla Butterfield (assistant), Linnea DeVries (assistant), Shalane Geertsema, Debbie Howatt (assistant), Sandra Love-Chubka (assistant), Maureen Neabel, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant), Chris Todoruk
2014-2015	Carla Butterfield (assistant), Linnea DeVries (assistant), Debbie Howatt (assistant), Kelsey Kristjanson, Maureen Neabel, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Christina Roy (assistant), Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant), Chris Todoruk
2015-2016	Carla Butterfield (assistant), Linnea DeVries (assistant), Debbie Howatt (assistant), Jillian Johnson, Maureen Neabel, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Tenley Schmidt, Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2016-2017	Jon Bettner, Carla Butterfield (assistant), Clayton Carefoot, Jenn Chapiel (assistant), Debbie Howatt (assistant), Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Jessica Sidlar (assistant), Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2017-2018	Jon Bettner, Carla Butterfield (assistant), Jennifer Chapiel (assistant), Debbie Howatt (assistant), Megan McBain, Maureen Neabel, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Jessica Sidlar (assistant), Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2018-2019	Jon Bettner, Carla Butterfield (assistant), Debbie Howatt (assistant), Megan McBain, Aline Oversby (assistant), Maureen Neabel, Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Jennifer Sharpe (assistant), Jessica Sidlar (assistant), Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2019-2020	Laura Joss, Megan McBain, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Brady Shankaruk (assistant), Jennifer Sharpe (assistant), Carolyn Tielmann (assistant)
2020-2021	Georgette Clarke, Laura Joss, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Trudy Robertson (assistant), Tenley Schmidt, Jennifer Sharpe (assistant)
2021-2022	Catlin Adams, Marilyn Horn (assistant), Laura Joss, Aline Oversby (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Trudy Robertson (assistant), Jennifer Sharpe (assistant)
2022-2023	Catlin Adams, Jayne Butler, Marilyn Horn (assistant), Laura Joss, Nathasha Kilmury (assistant), Brenda Livingston (assistant), Wendy Oversby, Tanis Precourt, Trudy Robertson (assistant), Jennifer Sharpe (assistant)

Secretaries

This was a half-time position until 1989 when it became full time.

Period	Secretary
1981-1984	Ruth Somerville
1984-1988	Edith Thompson
1988-2023	Diana McIntyre

Photos & Coordinates

Ochre River School (no date) by H. J. Everall Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs, GR8461, A0233, C131-2, page 23. Students in grades 6-8 at Ochre River School (May 1946) Back row (left to right): Hubert Kirkland 16, Donald Rumpel 14, Kenneth Bunyak 14, Gordon McIntyre 15, Kenneth Brittain 15, James Lounsbury 13, Donald Wood 13. Middle Row: Alice Foreman 16, Ruth Cleave 15, Shirley Tummon 15, Cecile Lebel 14, Dreda Lebel 13, Marjorie Clarke 13, Faith Pouncy 14. Front Row: Mabel McIntyre 13, Charlotte Cooper 13, Wilma Bunyak 12, Olive Cleave 13, Alice Livingston 13, Doreen Campbell 14, Jackie Spence 13, Kathleen Houston. Source: Diana McIntyre Ochre River School (November 2024) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Ochre River School commemorative plaque (November 2024) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Ochre River School commemorative monument (May 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Site Coordinates (lat/long): N51.06248, W99.77709 denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

“Ochre River,” Dauphin Herald, 4 January 1912, page 6.

“The local round,” Dauphin Herald, 20 October 1938, page 9.

Annual Reports of the Manitoba Department of Education, Manitoba Legislative Library.

“Teaching staffs named for “A” and “B” groups,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 9 September 1954, page 1.

“Record-breaking enrollments expected here in collegiate, elementary schools,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 1 September 1955, page 1.

“All-time high enrollments expected for town schools,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 30 August 1956, page 1.

“Town schools open today, high enrollments expected,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 29 August 1957, page 1.

“Total of 110 teachers assigned to schools in Dauphin-Ochre area,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 4 September 1958, pages 1, 6.

“Teaching staffs assigned to rural, village schools,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 3 September 1959, page 1.

“26 rural schools start fall term classes Tuesday,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 31 August 1960, page 4.

“Teaching staff for area schools increases to 132 for opening 1963-64 term,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 21 August 1963, page 1.

“All area schools open classes next Tuesday, 131 on teaching staffs,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 26 August 1964, page 1.

“All schools in area open classes Sept. 1 – 133 on teaching staffs,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 25 August 1965, page 1, 8.

Between Mountain and Lake: A History of Ochre River Rural Municipality, 1885-1970 by Ochre River Women’s Institute History Committee, Neepawa: The Neepawa Press, 1970, pages 25-28.

“Minor changes made to new Ochre R. school,” Dauphin Herald, 18 August 1976, page 2.

“Two tender for Ochre school,” Dauphin Herald, 16 March 1977, page 1.

“Ochre River turns out to open its new school,” Dauphin Herald, 30 November 1977, page 13.

“Twelve new faces among staff at Dauphin-Ochre schools,” Dauphin Herald, 6 September 1978, page 2.

“Dauphin Ochre teaching staff down slightly from last term,” Dauphin Herald, 12 September 1979, page 19.

“Teachers for 1980/81,” Dauphin Herald, 27 August 1980, page 16.

“School bells ring today,” Dauphin Herald, 2 September 1981, page 4.

One Hundred Years in the History of the Rural Schools of Manitoba: Their Formation, Reorganization and Dissolution (1871-1971) by Mary B. Perfect, MEd thesis, University of Manitoba, April 1978.

We thank Nathan Kramer, Lois Braun, Shannon Foster, Diana McIntyre, Marjorie Wildeboer, and Darryl Toews for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 16 November 2024

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