Margaret Dagmar (Crabb) Dennis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Dagmar Dennis of Swan River, MB on May 09, 2026, at the age of 91 years.  She passed away peacefully at the Swan Valley Health Centre with her daughter Deborah at her side. 

Margaret was born in The Pas, MB on April 09, 1935, a daughter of Gifford and Kathleen Crabb. She was raised in several railroad towns, where her father was employed with the Canadian National Railway.  In her teen years, she lived with her Grandparents, Mike and Sarah Fenuik and Auntie Lee in Yorkton, SK.  She met and married Donald Frederick Dennis, October 11, 1952, in Churchill, MB.  They returned to Swan River where they raised three children Garry, Connie, & Deborah. They were married for 69 years. Donald and Margaret shared many vacations with Harold and Doris Dennis to Cuba, Vegas, Venezuela, Hawaii, and to England and France to visit Bény-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery to see Norman Dennis’ Gravesite.

As a child, Margaret enjoyed figure skating and wore homemade skating dresses knitted by her father.  She took up knitting Mary Maxim patterns.  Margaret was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Swan River and held office as Worthy Matron several times.  In her later years she joined Curves and Bowling.  She curled in Mixed Curling with family and friends.  She collected funds for various organizations and loved to sell tickets for fundraisers. Margaret and her mother loved Bingo and everything Purple!

Margaret worked in several jobs including Family Services and later as Court Clerk and Limited Jurisdiction Magistrate at the Court Office in Swan River, MB.  She performed hundreds of wedding services, including under the Ferris Wheel at the Rodeo and on a Barge at Wellman Lake.  Margaret was the grain hauler and supper-in-the-field cook alongside her husband Donald in the Dennis Farms operation.

Margaret is survived by her daughter Connie Gould (her husband Gord, their son Drew, Natalie & Isabelle), and daughter Deborah Burnside, (son Tyler Burnside, Holly Markin & their 3 children Charlie, Blair & Miles, and daughter Nyla Burnside & partner Richard Jones), and Marilyn Dennis, (wife of the late Garry Dennis and Garry’s children Tammy Lumax and Donny Lumax), sister-in-law Laura Vopni, and sister-in-law Pauline Crabb, as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and neighbours.  Margaret was so proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved family get togethers and prepared the delicious “Margie’s buns” along with the entire meal.  She loved to bake and share goodies with others.  She often gave away garden products like rhubarb, cherries, tomatoes and whatever she thought someone would enjoy.

She was predeceased by her husband Donald Frederick Dennis on December 30, 2021, her son Garry Norman Dennis on Nov. 19, 2020, her father Gifford Crabb and mother Kathleen Lawson (aka Fancy) at age 103 (Harry), Clarence Frieze, her brothers Morley and Arvid Crabb, mother-in-law Jennie Dennis, sister-in-law Nora, her brother-in-law Harold Dennis (& Doris), sister-in-law Dora Doan (Archie).  She fondly missed ‘Skipper’ the faithful farm dog and later ‘Dusty’, their little sweetheart dog!

Margaret has been cremated and she will be next to Donald in their own Columbarium at the Birchwood Cemetery, in Swan River, MB