We’ll navigate this together: Funerals begin for seniors killed in bus crashes

After months of recovering from an accident, Donna Showdra was excited to take her first little trip to do something she loved: spend a day at the casino.

Showdra, 79, was one of the seniors on a western Manitoba minivan traveling to the Sand Hills Casino on June 15 when it slammed into the path of a semi-trailer truck on the Trans-Canada Highway near the town of Carberry.

Sixteen of the seniors, from Dauphin and the surrounding area, died in the crash, while nine others remain on the bus in hospital, including four in intensive care.

Showdra’s family gathered for a private service in Dauphin on Monday morning, which was also broadcast live to the public, as funerals begin for those killed in the fiery crash.

Cortney Prytula stood next to a blown-up photo of Showdra as she shared stories of her “compassionate but tough” baba, or grandmother, while reading a eulogy.

In the middle of the room stood a light brown closed box. It was flanked by bouquets of yellow, white, orange and purple flowers.

Late last summer, Showdra was hit by a truck while walking in Dauphin, Prytula said.

“(Showdra) was determined and strong to overcome all the challenges that came with healing this accident.”

Weeks before her death, Showdra walked “proudly” in a grocery store.

“Baba was proud and driven to gain some independence,” recalled Prytula.

“She proved to us that when the going gets tough, you have to stay focused on what’s important, which is family.”

RCMP released the names of those killed last week at a press conference. The people on the bus were beloved grandparents, mothers, fathers, and siblings.

The community held a memorial service the same evening during which 18 candles were lit – 16 for those who died, one for the injured who were still hospitalized and one for first responders who helped at the scene of the accident.

During Showdra’s private service on Monday, a video screen showed family photos accompanied by music from country singer Alan Jackson and Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell, as well as a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

The mother of four was born in Grandview, Man., west of Dauphin, in 1943. She married her husband Paul in 1959.

“They were each other’s safety, soul mates and support. Together they farmed and raised a family,’ says Prytula.

One of the couple’s greatest joys was being grandparents and hosting dance and singing shows in their living room.

After Showdra’s husband died in 1995, she sold the farm and moved to Dauphin to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Showdra loved gardening, cooking, and caring for others. She also spent time traveling to Alaska, Niagara Falls and Alberta.

She met her partner John in 2000 and they continued a travel tradition before he passed away in 2017.

Prytula said that as Showdra’s health declined in recent years, she passed on gardening tips, from planting to maintaining the garden year-round and then harvesting.

In 2021, Showdra moved to a retirement home where she always had a “full candy bowl, a listening ear and appreciated all the calls and visitors”.

“She had the best sense of humor, and while blunt, I think that’s it We most appreciated about her,” Prytula said.

Prytula thanked the first responders who supported the family through their difficult time.

She ended the service by asking family to cherish the memories they made with Showdra.

“We shall go through this together.”