Hilda Muriel Leveque

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, and sister-in-law, Reverend and Pastor Hilda Leveque of Little Grand Rapids, who went home to be with the Lord on February 18, 2026.

Hilda will be greatly missed and leaves to mourn her children: Daniel (Sharilyn) and their four sons; Aaron (Julia) and their six children; Amy (Maurice) and their three children; Steven and his three children; and Robert (Jobeth) and their eleven children, as well as one great-grandchild. Stepdaughter Delores and her four children.

Her siblings: Eileen, Harriet, Robert (Beverly), Chris (Karen), Shirley (Mark), Gordon (Joanne), John (Cindy), Raymond (Jean), Allan (Darlene), Jacob (Bernice), and Runa (Wayne). Her in-laws: Sandra Bushie, Robert (Kiijaywan), Leonard Leveque, Lois Leveque, and Mary Keeper-Leveque. She also leaves behind countless nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Her dearest friends: Jane Anderson, Louise Belleau, and Maxine Anderson; her dear colleague, Loretta Myles; and many, many others; adopted son Lambert (Sharon); and adopted daughters Vikki (Darrell) and Doris (Roderick).

Hilda was predeceased by her loving husband, Howard; her parents, Noel and Ida McLean; her in-laws, Charlie and Martha Leveque; her grandson, Leslie Leveque; her niece, TekyMcLean; her nephew, Timothy Spence; and her in-laws, Emma Leveque, Timothy Leveque, and Peggy Owen.

Mom grew up on a farm in Fairford and went off to university. She was the first to graduate with a degree in 1979. Her dad’s special nickname for her was indanith, and he was proud of her for finishing. She began teaching in Little Grand Rapids (LGR) in 1980, and little did she know she would meet the love of her life, Howard.  They celebrated their 40 years of marriage before his passing. She continued her teaching career in Fairford, Dauphin River, and Brokenhead, and returned to Little Grand Rapids, where she retired in 2021 when her health no longer allowed for full-time instruction.

Upon returning to LGR, she also stood by Dad’s side and stepped into the pastorship role, and together they pastored the church for 18 years. Their duties included officiating many funerals, wakes, and weddings. They loved supporting community members, whether it was during a time of loss or celebration. They held camp meetings and annual winter rallies, but most of all, they strived for winning souls for Jesus. They were affiliated with and ordained under FCA – Fellowship of Christian Assemblies.

Mom enjoyed many hobbies—fishing, sewing, baking, and making Barbie videos in our Ojibway language (her famous dolls Arosie and Lilac). She enjoyed Bible studies and spending time with her many grandchildren; she regularly took them for hikes and kite flying. Mom was adventurous, and after being a loving caregiver for 11 years, she decided to take time to travel.

Her many trips included Israel; Denver, Colorado; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Banff, Vancouver, and New York City. Although Mom struggled with a terminal illness, this did not stop her from living a fulfilled life. She defied her age by taking on adventure-filled experiences such as climbing the mountains in Colorado (beating everyone to the top), swimming in the Dead Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Sea of Galilee. She also went ziplining in the mountains of BC, tubing on the lake at age 70, feeding alligators in New Orleans, Louisiana, and canoeing in Lake Louise (not realizing the 200 ft depth!). Mom always took time to go sliding with her grandkids every winter. Her grandkids will miss their adventures with Kookoo.

Mom had a special calling, and her ministry was to reach the broken-hearted and bring healing to emotions. A scripture that was dear to her was Psalm 56:8: “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” She led the church with compassion, teaching that Jesus can heal emotions and that the Holy Spirit is the comforter.

Because she battled an illness for 13 years, it was fitting that in the moments before her passing, her son Danny received his verse of the day, which was 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”—not knowing she had passed at that time.

A very special thank you to the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital for their professional and compassionate care. Thanks to Northern Palliative Care and Dr. Pinnick for providing support and advocating for her needs. To the LGR Homecare Staff, thank you for your many comforting visits. I think Mom made friends with every single worker who stepped through her door. Thank you to Sarina and Linda for always booking Mom’s many appointments.

Many thanks to Chief and Council of LGR and to Chief KurvisAnderson (Fairford). Thank you to the staff at Amik Aviation and owner Oliver Owen, Northway Aviation owners Merlin and Robyn, and to the staff at Adventure Air Aviation.

A special thanks to her friend Ruth Beardy, who stayed all night on her last night, and to her baby sister Runa for all the overnights she spent at St. Boniface. A heartfelt thank you also goes to her children and to her sister Shirley, who stood faithfully by her side, taking her to many appointments and being with her in the hospital consistently throughout her journey. And to the countless visitors who offered encouragement, prayers, songs, and laughter. Your presence brought her great comfort.

We are going to miss Hilda deeply and will continue to honour the beautiful work she did throughout her life. Her faith, love, and kindness touched everyone she met. Though her earthly journey has ended, her spirit will continue to guide, inspire, and comfort us. We take peace in knowing she is reunited with her loved ones and resting safely in the arms of her Saviour, whom she served so faithfully.

The celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at The Launching Place, 479 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg from 7p.m - 10 p.m. A second service will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Little Grand Rapids. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Abbalak Thunderswift Memorial School. Pastor Raymond McLean will be officiating these three services.

Pallbearers: Maurice Eaglestick, Charles Leveque, Silas Leveque, Perry Eaglestick, Nicholas Dunsford, Dylan Bushie & Chris Leveque.

Honorary Cross Bearer: Harlin Leveque (Jonah), whom Mom called her “little boss.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hilda Muriel Leveque, please visit our floral store.