Ross Edgar Manning

In Loving Memory of
Ross  
Manning
age 77

He will forever be in the hearts of his wife, 
Maryanne and daughters/sons-in-law 
Jill Manning, Cassie & Bernie Harms, 
Nicole & Bill Wiklund, and 
Chloe & Brad Van De Kerckhove. 
Grandpa/Papa will be missed by 
Hudson Wiklund and Addison & 
Declan Van De Kerckhove.

Died
April 27, 2022
with his family by his side
at Brandon Regional Health Centre

Cremation has taken place.
An intimate Celebration of Life is 
planned for a later date. 

ROSS E. MANNING
August 31, 1944 – April 27, 2022

Ross, an only child, was born August 31, 1944 to Royden and Vera Manning at Holland, MB. He was well loved as a boy and often shared fond memories of his childhood. His early years were spent in La Riviere, where he lived in a house that was once a bank; he was proud to have the old safe as his bedroom. His family later purchased a farm in the Hazel District. Many will remember the “big tin house” where he spent part of his childhood, given that it was later moved to Archibald Museum. As he grew up, it was filled with cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbours, friends, and always laughter and good times! When Ross was 14, his father sold the farm due to health issues and the family moved into a house on Park Avenue in Manitou. This home became an integral part of Ross’ adult life. For his early education, Ross attended schools in the La Riviere and Manitou areas.
As a young adult, Ross received his Beautician Diploma from Red River Community College in Winnipeg, MB. In the fall of 1964, he embarked upon his own business, operating out of his parents’ home in Manitou. Sometime around 1976, Ross purchased a small house on Ellis Avenue in Manitou, and converted it into Ross’ Hairstyling. He conducted his business at this location until his retirement in 2006. Most people will have heard this advice: If you choose something you love for your career, you will never work a day in your life. This truly describes what Ross did. Each morning he left the house with enthusiasm and returned with a smile on his face. He thought of his clientele, not as customers, but as friends with whom he could share stories, life experiences and laughter! 
For most of his life, Ross resided in Manitou, in the home on Park Avenue. However, following his stroke in 2012, he moved to the cottage/retirement home at Pelican Lake. In 2020, he and Maryanne purchased a condo and he enjoyed living in Brandon. For a few years, prior to Covid, Ross was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of spending part of his winters in Mesa, Arizona. 
Above all else in his life, Ross valued his family. In 1965, he married the mother of his two older daughters. Jill was born in 1973 and Cassie in 1975. In 1983, Ross married Maryanne, his devoted wife of 39 years. Two more daughters entered his life; Nicole was born in 1984 and Chloe in 1986. He loved his girls deeply and unconditionally. He was so proud of each of their accomplishments and of the steadfast women into which they grew. They will all miss his great big hugs and his “Love You Muchly” each time he said good-bye to them. His family continued to grow as sons-in-law joined the circle. Nicole married Bill Wiklund in 2003, Cassie married Bernie Harms in 2009 and Chloe married Brad Van De Kerckhove, also in 2009. As the years went by, he grew close to Bill and Brad, and came to think of them as sons. His joy and pride in each of his grandchildren, Hudson Wiklund (b. 2010), Addison (b. 2014) and Declan (b. 2016) Van De Kerckhove was beyond measure. He saw each one as unique and he treasured the time he was able to spend with them. 
Events in Ross’ life were often anchored by the vehicles he was driving at the time when they occurred. For as long as she could remember, his mother said, he was obsessed with anything that had wheels! His dad purchased Ross’ first car, a 1928 Chevy for a half truckload of oats, when he was just 15. His final purchase, a car to be left in Arizona, was “Carol,” a 2008 pearl-white Cadillac. He bought, sold or restored almost 40 vehicles in between. 
Ross seized every opportunity to attend car shows in Manitoba, North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona. He waited most of his life to experience the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ. Thanks to his son-in-law, Brad, friend, Fraser and brother-in-law, Ray he was able to attend three times.  
Ross was not often bitten by the travel bug. However, over his lifetime, he did trek to Mexico, about half of the states in the U.S., the Yukon territory and many provinces in Canada. “Standin’ on the Corner of Winslow, Arizona” was the highlight of his travel! However, he preferred having RVs/trailers/cottages that allowed him to get away most week ends and to meet and spend time with people. He made friends wherever he went! It was never difficult to find him for supper; all we had to do was go outside and listen for a minute or two. His laughter was distinctive and could be heard from far away! 
Throughout his life, Ross had a keen interest in real estate. In addition to the rental property in Manitou, he and Maryanne flipped a house in Brandon, and developed land at Pelican Lake. It was difficult to convince him, in his later years, that perhaps projects of that nature should no longer be on his agenda!
Until the end, Ross maintained his belief that quality of life was more important than quantity of life and he never lost his sense of humor. As he left the surgical unit for palliative care, he raised a hand to wave at the staff who came to wish him well, and said, “I’ll write if I get work!”
Ross’ family is planning a private Celebration of Life for July. Ross always said that he wished it was possible for him to be buried in his Cadillac. Thanks to the ingenuity of his sons-in-law, Brad and Bill, and the latter’s talent in autobody, his urn bears a resemblance to his last Cadillac! Given that many of the family own collector vehicles, there will be a mini car show to honour a life well lived! 
It breaks our hearts to say good-bye. You were a good man. We will love and miss you always.