Ian Israel Asham

Celebration of Ian’s Life

Saturday, January 15, 2022

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Encounter Life Ministries at the Wave Church,

364 Furby Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Procession

Sunday, January 16, 2022,

Eternal Grace Funeral Home to Fairford, Manitoba

Starts at 11:00 a.m. arriving in Fairford at the cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Vehicle drive-by open casket viewing for friends and relatives

Private burial to follow.

Pallbearers for Winnipeg

Guy Asham,  Garry Sanderson, Clifford Sanderson, 

Randy Asham, Marc Bedard, and George Sinclair.

Pallbearers for Fairford

Randy Asham, Gordon McLean, Allan McLean, Jordan Anderson, 

Eugene Marsden, and Noah McLean.

Crossbearer at the St. Helen’s Cemetery is Jason Sumner

With heavy hearts, we announce that Ian Israel Asham passed away peacefully with his beloved wife Mona by his side on January 11, 2022 at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 50 years. He is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 22 years, Mona; children; Arianna, Ethan and Alivia (Libbyloo). 

He also leaves to cherish his memory his loving parents Ron and Lilian Asham; brother Guy Asham; sister Lenay (David) Asham. Ian also leaves his nephew and nieces Nevaeh Asham, Kizhay Thomas, and Joshua Asham;  aunts and uncles Hector Asham (Erika), Linda Sanness, Brenda Asham, Tony Asham, and Randy Asham. From his Sanderson side; Lawrence (Arlene)  Sanderson, Clifford (Gertrude) Sanderson, Garry Sanderson, Barbara (Roy) Letandre, Laura Shorting, Florence Mckay, and Iris (Darryl) Toews. Also  cousins from his Asham and Sanderson families.

Ian also leaves to mourn his McLean family that loved him; his in-laws Robert and Beverly McLean; Marty (Rose) McLean, Jayme (Eugene) McLean, Ginger (Gideon) McLean, Dayna (Jordan) Anderson; nephews Noah McLean, Jordan-James McLean; nieces Kerishia (Thomas) Courchene, Cetina (Dane) McLean, Isabella, Bailey,  Addison, and Rebecca Anderson, Sapphire and Sophia Flamand-McLean.

Ian was predeceased by his grandparents George and Alice Sanderson, Ronald and Irene Asham; uncle Curry Asham; aunt Della Halkovich, and aunt Lucille Sanderson; cousins Kirk Letandre, and David Dejarlais. He was also predeceased by his sister in law Teky McLean-Turner.

If you met Ian, you would know very quickly that he loved Jesus. He was given a bible on Christmas when he was 10 years old and read it all the time. In junior and senior high school he would take his bible to school and tell his classmates to get saved and that Jesus was coming soon. He attended Miracle Temple church on St. Mary’s Avenue where he eventually pastored for several years. Ian was known for his big smile and very open and bold nature. He was generous and kind. As a young man he worked in a Chinese and East Indian restaurant where he learned to be a great stir fry cook. He started his own roofing company and became a skilled roofer and  construction worker. In the last few years, Ian turned to truck driving in the city and long haul driving on the winter roads in the north.  He would often stop in at his  in-laws or sister Gingers to visit, eat, and rest. His mother in law Bev would pack him lunches for his long trips because she knew he liked to enjoy his food.

When he was a young man, Ian was very athletic in sports and got awards for it in school. He was also exceptional at mathematics such as calculus and all the sciences. Before he married and had his first child Ian was working on his degree in a Bachelor of Commerce. It was his dream to become a chartered accountant. Ian was a person who always never hesitated to give a helping hand. As a young boy he saved his sister from drowning, helped a stranger who was hurt get to the hospital, and helped anyone he saw struggling.

Ian worked in the construction area for many years, but he also took time to enjoy things such as hunting, fishing, and of course berry picking. He made the best jams and always went out of his way to share with family. He also enjoyed building things with wood and always said to Mona that one day he wanted a casket made of wood and not cold steel. Ian was the biggest collector of what he considered “treasures”. If you needed the oddest item, Ian probably had it. He has collected many antiques and assets over the years. 

If you knew Ian and Mona, you would know how much they were devoted and   committed to each other. Ian would say to Mona “til death do us part my dear” and she would say “amen”. Ian and Mona both did not date at all in their youth and were both born again as young teens; Ian when he was 15 and Mona when she was 16. When they were in their twenties, they both prayed that God would send them a spouse that loved the Lord. In 1998, at a religious gathering, they saw each other for the first time and met for the first time on their first date in Winnipeg. On February 6th, 1999 they wed and started their life and love together. Three years later they were blessed with their first child Arianna, son Ethan, and baby Alivia (Libbyloo to her family). Ian was a loving husband to Mona and strong and protective father to his children. He loved to teach them about Jesus and how important it was to go to school and work. Ian was proud of his daughter Arianna whom he named at birth. He rejoiced when she gave her heart to Jesus. He also had a special pride in having a son. When Mona was pregnant, she would ask him what if it’s another girl? He would say it doesn’t matter. However, when Ethan was born, Ian yelled out in the operating room “It’s a boy Mona! A BOY!”.  He was so full of excitement and tears at having a son.  Ethan is just as handsome and exceptional like his loving father.  His also had a deep love for his baby Alivia whom he called Livvy, Libbyloo, and Liveeloo. He was so protective of her that she would sometimes get annoyed. He drove and picked her up from school whenever it was possible and   always told her daddy loves you baby girl. Ian’s favorite sayings to his family was “His name is?” His family would all say “Jesus!”.

Ian chose to reject the ICU and incubation. He said “My life is in God’s hands. I want to be awake so that I can praise Jesus until my last breath.”  Ian had his hand on his bible and went to Glory praising God with his last breath.  He finished his work on earth. Now he rests from his labours and Jesus receives him with “well done, my good and faithful servant.” 

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”.

The family would like to thank the Pinaymootang First Nation Chief & Council for their care and support, all the family and friends for their love and prayers. Thank you to the two wonderful nurses who made it possible for Mona to be with her  husband in his final moments. Thank you to those that catered meals to the family and those that gave flowers. Thank you to all that texted their condolences to the family, phone calls, visits, and all the Facebook condolences received as well. A  special thanks for the Eternal Grace Funeral Home for their care and Arrangements.

Psalms 73: 25-26

Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire  beside thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my  portion for ever.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ian Israel Asham, please visit our floral store.