Will and Pam Wild stop in Baldur for an overnight visit
Will and Pam Wild are on an exciting journey across Canada, and their recent stop in Baldur was a memorable highlight.
Although you may not recognize the name Pam Wild, she shares a rich connection to Baldur through her family history. Pam’s mother, Annie, was the sister of Oscar Lee, a well-known figure who owned and operated Lee’s Food Mart.
The first generation of the Lee family to live in Baldur was Lee Foon and Yee See, Pam’s grandparents.
Lee Foon arrived in Canada in 1893 from China as a young teenager. He worked for several years in areas in British Columbia before returning to China and marrying See Yee. The couple wanted to return to Canada, so Lee Foon left his wife and young son in China while he built a home in Canada for his family. Instead of returning to British Columbia, Lee Foon had a completely different idea. He landed in Baldur, Manitoba, and opened an ice cream shop that became an overnight success. It wasn’t long before he was able to bring his wife and child to their new home in Baldur. Only five years later, the couple were able to build a new store. That building still stands today.
Together, they raised nine remarkable children, each contributing to their community in unique ways:
Kwong (Ken), Lillian, Elin, Oscar, Frank, Annie (Pam’s mother) , Fawnie, Tommy and Billy.
Pam shared that she and her family visited the Lee family business many years ago. “I have a picture of myself in front of Lee’s store, but I have no memory of it because I was so young.”
A moment frozen in time shows a smiling and happy family gathered for a group photo.
Pam and Will were pleasantly surprised by how thriving Baldur is, especially compared to many small towns that face decline.
“We didn’t know anything about Baldur and had no idea what to expect. We were thrilled to find it thriving in this way. When you think of small towns, so many of them are now ghost towns, but Baldur is booming.”
They mentioned they had visited the Argyle Museum and were able to collect even more information about the Lee family.
“Everyone has been so kind and so helpful, and many people remember the Lee family. The current owner of the old Lee’s Food Mart building invited us into his place so we could see inside the old family market. It was wonderful to see the inside and the places where Annie played as a child, as well as the store that the kids remembered from back then as having the best penny candies. This trip has been a great adventure, and we are so happy that we stopped.”
Their journey has been more than just a trip; it’s a heartfelt reconnection to family roots and a vibrant community. Pam and Will expressed immense gratitude for the kindness they received and the opportunity to explore their family’s history. Their adventure in Baldur is a testament to the town’s welcoming spirit and enduring legacy.
It was wonderful to meet this delightful couple, and we all wish them safe travels and many more happy adventures!
PHOTO CAPTION: Will and Pam Wild stopped in Baldur and were able to check out the former Lee’s Food Mart building as part of their visit. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
