Freda Alma (Gosselin) Leslie

With hearts full of love and gratitude, the family of Freda Alma Leslie of Birch River, Manitoba, announce her passing in Swan River on May 9, 2026, at the age of 81 years.

Freda was born in Swan River on November 28, 1944, to James and Marguerite Gosselin. She grew up rooted in the values that would guide the rest of her life — hard work, care for others, and quiet resilience. In her younger years, she worked as a nurse’s aide at Clearwater Lake Sanitorium in The Pas from 1960 to 1962, a role that reflected her natural instinct to help and comfort people. Later, after earning her certificate as a Child and Family Service Worker through the Manitoba Department of Education in Winnipeg, Freda spent more than two decades working as a social worker, supporting families and children from 1978 until her retirement in 1999.

Earlier in life, Freda shared a marriage with Kris Torfason that brought her the great gift of motherhood and the family she cherished deeply. In 1972, Kris passed away. Later, life surprised her again with another chapter of companionship and love when she met Herbert Archie Leslie. The two were married in Birch River, and together built a life shaped by devotion, determination, and the steady rhythm of country living. Farming became part of that life beginning in 1973, and Freda embraced it fully alongside the many roles she carried within her family and community.

Freda found joy in simple and meaningful things. She loved quilting, gardening, hunting, fishing, and trapping. She was capable and resourceful, equally at home tending flowers, preparing meals for family, or heading outdoors into the quiet beauty of nature. Her life was not loud, but it was deeply full — stitched together by work, care, and the people she loved most.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Herbert Leslie; her children, Blaine Torfason, Noreen Luce, Sheila Primrose, Garry Torfason, and Siggie Torfason; her sisters, Leona Gruberbauer, Phyllis Stevenson, May Solski, and Shirley Watson; her brother, Dennis Gosselin; as well as 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Freda was predeceased by her parents, James and Marguerite Gosselin; her late, beloved daughter, Tammy Shirley Leslie; her brothers, Louis, Adrian, and Raymond Gosselin; her sisters, Rita Wiepjes, Bernadette Parthenais, and Laura Corbett; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Torfason; and her son-in-law, Kevin Primrose.

Her family carries forward the lessons found in her steady hands, her practical wisdom, and the many quiet ways she cared for those around her every day.

A prayers service was held on Friday, May 15th, 2026, at 7:00 PM from the Chapel of Paull Funeral Home.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at 11:00 AM from the Birch River Legion Hall with Ferlin Abrahamson officiating. Following the service, Freda was laid to rest in the Crandell Cemetery, Birch River, MB.

Freda’s active pallbearers were Kristjan Torfason, Dustin Harasymko, Devin Primrose, Steven Torfason, Derek Torfason, and Stetson Peters.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society and Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation.

Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium are honoured to have served the family.