Angela M Briere

Angela Briere (Selensky) passed away on the 16th of December 2024 at the age of 94 with family members by her side at Prairie View Health Centre in Mankota. Ang was born on a farm west of Mankota, the first of eleven children to John and Annie Selensky. She attended Barr School, travelling four and a half miles by horse and buggy in the summer and sleigh in the winter, til she completed grade eight. Ang worked for various neighbours doing cleaning, waitressed in Aneroid Hotel and later found employment in Regina before moving back home. It wasn’t long til a tall, dark and handsome man caught her eye. Marcel Briere soon became a frequent visitor at the Selensky farm. His green one ton truck could be seen ploughing snow in the winter, maneuvering muddy roads in the spring and creating a dust storm in the summer as he courted Ang. On October 25th, 1955 Marcel and Angela were married at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Billimun, Sask. They were surprised with twin boys in June 1956 but saddened with the passing of baby boy Joseph. Greg came home with them and was shortly joined by Glen in April 1957. In the spring of 1958, Marcel, Ang and the boys became the 3rd generation to occupy the original Briere homestead west of Mankota. In 1961 Karen joined her brothers and the family was complete in 1965 with the addition of Aline. Life on the farm was hard but they raised cattle, chickens, pigs, and grew a large garden to help make things more economical. Ang had a strong faith which helped her through hard times. She was a devoted Catholic who participated in many Church functions, was a member of the CWL and spent many hours both cleaning the church and laundering the linens. In May 1994 Marcel passed away and Ang moved to Mankota. While living in town she was known for her weed free garden that she generously gave to family, friends and community. Ang was called upon to paint many houses for family, friends and neighbours throughout the years. She was a long time standing member of the Mankota Ranchettes where her assigned job was cutting up onions, as she never got teared up from the process, and cleaning things til they shone, especially the exhaust fan above the stove. She was a scrapbooker before it became a popular hobby, she would cut out clippings of all the happenings in the area and had quite a collection of books! Ang was an avid bowler, dancer and loved baking and cooking for her family. “Father Joe Pancakes” (crepes) were a family favourite she made for her grandchildren. As for herself, Ang couldn’t pass up a cup of black coffee and Mars bar on any day of the week. She was generous and giving of her time, talents and money to many organizations, family and community. In 2014 Angela moved into the nursing home in Mankota where she received exceptional care from all the staff members. She was extremely blessed by the many visitors she had during the past 10 years. Angela is survived by her children/grandchildren/great grandchildren: Greg and Debbie Briere, Danielle (Jared), Brynn Houseman, Alie (Daniel) Hounjet, Chance Briere (Sid Jimenez), Glen and Darla Briere, Chelsey (Joel), Dax Rempel, Shay (Reanne), Taytum and Berkley Briere, Bailey Briere (Coltyn Schapansly), Karen Briere and Neil Fraser, Aline and Francois Vandersteen, Ty (Nicolette), Beckson Vandersteen, Tess Vandersteen (Austin Dodds); brothers/sisters/in-laws Stevie Whalley, Marlene Selensky, Larry Selensky, Linda Pope, Gordon (Margaret) Selensky, Eddy (Marie) Selensky, Shirley (Gabe) Deringer, Marion Selensky, Don Schafer, Leonard Gavelin, Lawrence (Gladys) Briere, Agnes LaFleche and Lillian Squires. Angela was predeceased by her husband, Marcel Briere, son, Joseph, sisters Helene Schafer, Bernice Gavelin, brothers Lenard and Daniel Selensky, in-laws Eric Whalley, Hilda Selensky, Doug Pope, Bernadette and Bernard Favreau, Sylvio LaFleche and Richard Squires. A celebration of Life service will be held at a future date. Donations in Angela Briere’s name can be made to the Mankota & District Hospital Auxiliary, Box 390, Mankota, SK S0H 2W0. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Briere family may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK.