Greta Cockerill

It is with sadness that the family of Greta Joan Cockerill (Nastrom) announce her passing April 8, 2026 at the age of 91. Greta was born in Deepdale on  October 24, 1934 and had four siblings, Raymond, Lorene, Alvina and Joyce.

Greta married Ralph Cockerill on July 24, 1951 and for the first few years of their marriage, Greta and Ralph moved around the Merridale and Tummel districts doing odd jobs. For the first few years she had her hands full tending to her two boys Ronald and Percy.

In 1956 Greta and Ralph purchased a small house in Roblin and Greta began working at Central/Parkland bakery. After a few years they purchased a farm in Deepdale and in 1966 they decided that they should move to the farm. She loved the farm and had almost every animal species imaginable, including a herd of cattle, a cow for milking, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, geese and always horses.

In 1980 Greta decided to leave the bakery to pursue other challenges and began working at the PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act) San Clara /Cote Community Pasture. She quickly became the bookkeeper and did the recording of cattle into, within and out of the Community Pasture System. Greta was able to ride her horse and it gave her a happiness that she often talked about. She ended her time with the Government working as a Farm Yard Auditor verifying and confirming drought support payments to farmers.

Greta loved to travel and many of the trips were with friends Charlie and Mabel Brade, or Jim and Mavis Ready and often with Ken and Sylvia Morrison. Greta always talked about the great times she had and the life-long friendships she developed.

Poetry was Greta's passion and she attended many Cowboy Poetry events throughout the Prairies. She would occasionally participate by reading poetry that she had written. The poem that she was most proud of is called “The Cattle Pasture” which was published in 1993 by the National Library of Poetry.

Greta was predeceased by her husband Ralph, brother Raymond Nastrom (Lois), sisters Lorene Ward (Earl), Alvina Cockerill (Lenard), and in-laws John Nykyforak, Cecil Peats, Ed Kendall, Bert Cockerill, Jean Cockerill, and Dave Cockerill (Linda).

Greta is survived by sons Ronald (Helen Holgate) and Percy (Velleri), seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sister Joyce Cockerill and in-laws Sylvia Nykyforak, Alvin (Bud) Cockerill (Helen), Ada Peats, Nettie Kendall, Linda Byle (Bob), Wayne Cockerill, and Chester (Brenda) Cockerill.

The last years of Greta's life were spent at Crocus Court Personal Care Home in Roblin where she received excellent compassionate care from the staff.

A Funeral Service was held for Greta on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11:00 am from the Roblin Knox United Church in Roblin with Margaret West officiating.  

Interment followed in the Roblin District Cemetery.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Greta may be made to the Parkland Humane Society Box 805, Dauphin, MB R7N 3B3 or Crocus Court Personal Care Fund c/o Roblin & District Community Foundation Box 1599 Roblin, MB R0L 1P0.

This service was live streamed for those who were unable to attend.

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