Arlene Lindquist Obituary, Death:- Arlene Lindquist, 68, was one of the 15 victims who died in a tragic bus crash near Carberry, Manitoba on June 15, 2023. She was on a day trip to a casino with a group of seniors from Dauphin and nearby towns when their minibus collided with a semi-trailer truck.
A Life Well-Lived
Arlene Lindquist was born on March 12, 1955 in Rorketon, Manitoba. She grew up on a farm with her parents and three siblings. She attended school in Rorketon and later moved to Dauphin to pursue a career in nursing.
She married her high school sweetheart, John Lindquist, in 1976 and they had two children, Mark and Lisa. Arlene worked as a registered nurse at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre for over 30 years, where she was known for her compassion, dedication and professionalism.
Arlene loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, reading and traveling. She was an active member of the Dauphin United Church and volunteered for various community organizations. She was also an avid bingo player and liked to go to casinos with her husband and friends.
Arlene is survived by her husband John; her children Mark (Sara) and Lisa (Ryan); her grandchildren Emily, Noah, Jacob and Hannah; her siblings Alice (Bob), David (Mary) and Paul (Linda); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is predeceased by her parents George and Edith; and her brother-in-law Jim.
Arlene Lindquist Obituary: How Manitoba Highway Crash Happened?
Arlene Lindquist was among the 25 passengers on a minibus that was traveling to the Sand Hills Casino near Carberry on June 15, 2023. The bus was operated by Prairie Mountain Health, a regional health authority that organizes recreational outings for seniors.
According to the RCMP, the bus was heading south on Highway 5 when it collided with a semi-trailer truck that was traveling west on Highway 16 around 11:30 a.m. The impact caused both vehicles to catch fire and resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
The RCMP said the cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary findings suggest that the truck driver failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of the two highways. The truck driver, a 45-year-old man from Winnipeg, was arrested at the scene and faces charges of dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death.
The RCMP also said that the identification of the victims was challenging due to the extent of their injuries and that they had to rely on DNA testing and dental records to confirm their identities. The RCMP released the names of all 15 victims on June 22, 2023, after notifying their families.
Manitoba Highway Crash Victim List
- Louis Bretecher, 81
- Margaret Furkalo, 82
- Vangie Gilchrist, 83
- Ann Hill, 81
- Helen Kufley, 88
- Arlene Lindquist, 68
- Jeanette Lussier-McKenzie, 86
- Mary MacKay-McNabb, 87
- Dorothy McLean-McNabb, 86
- Lorraine McPherson-McNabb, 85
- Shirley Miller-McNabb, 86
- Betty Morden-McNabb, 85
- Mary Paziuk-McNabb, 86
- Alice Rasmussen-McNabb, 85
- Jeanette Smith-McNabb, 86
Ten other passengers survived the crash and were taken to hospital with various injuries. One of them, Jeanette Lussier-McKenzie’s husband Donald McKenzie, died in hospital on June 21.
A Community in Mourning
The bus crash has shaken the communities of Dauphin and surrounding areas. Many of the victims were friends and neighbors who had known each other for years. Some of them were related by blood or marriage. Some of them had been regulars at the bingo hall or the seniors center.
The communities have come together to support each other and honor the lives of those who died. A memorial service was held at Dauphin’s Credit Union Place on June 22, where loved ones and first responders placed placards with the victims’ names and photos. A candlelight vigil was also held at the same venue on June 23, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects and share their grief.
Many people have also expressed their condolences and tributes online, on social media, and on the obituary pages of local newspapers. Some have shared fond memories of Arlene Lindquist and the other victims, while others have offered prayers and words of comfort to their families.
Arlene Lindquist’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre Foundation or the Dauphin United Church.
Arlene Lindquist will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and nurse. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
