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JAMES K. HOPKINS
Peacefully, surrounded by his family, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003, James K. Hopkins passed away at the Morris General Hospital at the age of 85 years.
Jim is survived by his loving wife Lorraine; one son Reg; two daughters, Gloria (David) Busch and Shelley Tomm; as well as four grandchildren, Samantha, Shawn, Ryan, and Brayden. Also surviving are two sisters, Jean Hunter and Emily Wilson; and his brother Will Hopkins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Mary Hopkins; sisters, Margaret Stevenson and Eva Vesey; and granddaughter Kylee Tomm.
Jim was born and raised in Ste. Elisabeth, Man., where he spent his life farming and raising his family, until his retirement to Morris, Man. in 1989. Jim enjoyed playing hockey and baseball, and was well known to all for his love of jokes.
In September 2000 he was moved into the Red River Valley Lodge, where he resided until his passing.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Red River Valley Lodge, Morris General Hospital, and Dr. Fraser, for the tenderness and care Jim received, and for the compassion shown for the family.
Cremation has taken place. The funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 5, 2 p.m., at the Dominion City United Church, with interment in the Dominion City Cemetery. Morris Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Dominion City United Church, or the Red River Valley Lodge.
You fought long and hard my dear.
Rest In Peace.
We Love You
GERTRUDE ENCONTRE (nee Curé)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gertrude Encontre (nee Curé), Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at the DeSalaberry District Health Center, at the age of 68 years.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband François; children, Madeleine (Karl) Hoffmann, Anna (Marty) Andrea, Raymond; and grandchildren, Valerie and Melissa Hoffmann, Mitchel and Heather Andrea. She will also be deeply missed by her five brothers and five sisters.
She was predeceased by her parents, George and Josephine Curé; and siblings, Robert Curé, Andre Curé, Henri Curé and Diane Bucek.
Mom will always be remembered for her vibrant sense of humour. She was a loving person who always saw the good in any situation. She opened her home to every friend and family member and took great pleasure in preparing meals for her large extended family. Mom will also be remembered for the many homemade quilts she lovingly sewed over the years. Her quilts were made with much love and each one contained, we believe, a little piece of her heart.
The funeral service was held May 23 at the St. Malo Catholic Church, with interment at St. Malo Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 102 - 310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0S6, or the DeSalaberry District Health Centre Foundation, Box 320, St. Pierre Jolys, MB, R0A 1V0.
The family wishes to express thanks to Dr. Brennan and the wonderful staff at the DeSalaberry District Health Center for their excellent care.
Arrangements entrusted to Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach and Winnipeg, Man.
JUSTINE VIRGINIE THERRIEN (nee Morier)
1934-2005
Peacefully, in her sleep and after a brief illness, Justine Virginie Therrien of La Broquerie, Man. passed away at Bethesda Hospital, Friday, May 20, 2005 at 71 years of age.
Justine leaves to mourn, her husband Arsène, after 51 years of marriage; her four sons, Normand (Lori), Luc (Nicole), Richard (Debbie), Gilbert (Barbara); one daughter, Carole; and 11 grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing, three brothers, Vincent, Émile and Augustin; as well as one sister, Henriette.
Justine was predeceased by her parents, Georgina and Jules; sister Élise; and three brothers, Paul, Henri and Fernand.
Prayer services were held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, Man., May 24. Cremation has taken place and the funeral was held May 25 at the Paroisse Saint-Joachim Church in La Broquerie. The interment will take place at a later date at the parish cemetery.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ilchyna and the nursing staff at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach.
If friends so desire, donations in memory of Justine can be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3L 9Z9.
Friends and family will remember her for her hospitality, her work ethic and her gift of sharing.
Go with God in peace.
Arrangements entrusted to Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach and Winnipeg, Man.
JOHN SOKOLIWSKY
1913-2005
Peacefully John passed away May 23, 2005 at Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, Man., at the age of 91 years.
John is survived by his wife Mary; two daughters and two sons: Stella Murillo, Morris (Phyllis) Sokoliwsky, Diane Roy and Bill (Eva-Lynne) Sokoliwsky; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
John is predeceased by daughter Ann Horbul; sons-in-law: Bill Horbul, Roger Roy and Alex Lakusta; and three grandchildren.
John was always involved with the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Tolstoi, Man.
The funeral service for John Sokoliwsky will be held Saturday, May 28, 10:30 a.m., at the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Tolstoi. Prayers will be Friday, May 27, 7 p.m., at the Steinbach Funeral Home in Steinbach.
The family wishes to thank Sylvia and her mother Olga from Home Care, Vita and Steinbach Hospital doctors and nurses, and the Vita and St. Pierre ambulance attendants.
In John's memory, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation Manitoba, or to CancerCare Manitoba.
Arrangements entrusted to Steinbach Funeral Home
5 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach, Man.
MARGARET (CLASSEN) (DUECK) UNGER
Peacefully, May 19, 2005, the Lord called my beloved mother to be with Him in her eternal home.
She will be missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Alvina (Peter) Wiebe; three stepdaughters: Elda (Ben) Penner, Mabel (Wilburt) Plett, Nettie (Ellis) Penner; three stepsons: Charles, Reuben (Natalie), Dan Unger; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Nettie (Harry) Wiebe; and brother, John (Diane) Classen, both of Oregon.
Mom was predeceased by her first husband, Bernhard K. Dueck, in 1961; her second husband, Cornelius Unger, on Dec. 3, 2000; two infant children; son and daughter-in-law, Arley and Verda Dueck; two stepdaughters and their husbands: Evelyn and Willie Manke, Erma and Otto Unger; stepson-in-law Benny Plett; her parents; one sister and two brothers.
Mom was born in Meade, Kansas, Nov. 9, 1913, to John and Agnes Classen. There she grew up and received her education. She accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 15. Her deepest desire was to serve the Lord.
She married my father on Feb. 15, 1936. They lived in Rosenort, Man., his home community, for six years, after which they moved to Dallas, Oregon, where Mom's family resided. They returned to Manitoba 15 years later and settled in Steinbach, Man.
March 20, 1970, after being widowed for almost nine years, Mom and Cornelius Unger were married. Her early dreams of having a large family finally came true. Their acceptance and love for her were a real comfort and blessing to her, especially in later years.
In April 2000, she and Dad moved to Rest Haven Nursing Home, where they received the care they needed. The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Krahn, the nurses and staff, for their very thoughtful, gentle care during her stay there. May God bless each one who was a part of the team.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach. Interment at Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rest Haven Foundation, 177 Woodhaven Ave., Steinbach, MB, R5G 1K7.
Arrangements entrusted to Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach and Winnipeg, Man.
ESTHER MARTENS
1919 - 2005
On May 19, at 2:55 a.m., Mrs. Esther (Buhler) Martens passed away peacefully at the Donwood Personal Care Home to be with her Lord and Saviour.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Jacob in 1964; her daughter Erna in 1991; and her brother Abe.
Esther will be lovingly remembered by her children: Linda (Werner) Wiebe, Frieda Martens, Ben (Marietta) Martens, Bertha (Cornie) Epp, Herman (Barb) Martens, George (Nola) Martens, Kathy (Bert) Dyck, Andrew (Donna) Martens, Lydia (Michael) West, Hermina (Peter) Hildebrand, Wanda (Wayne) Guenther, David (Clara) Martens, son-in-law Claude Champagne, his wife Lisa, and Rebecca (Ken) Guenther; 28 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Esther is also survived by sisters, Kathy Schnell and Annie Buhler; and brothers, Pete and George.
The funeral service was held at the Grunthal Bergthaler Church, May 24 at 2 p.m. Interment at Grunthal Cemetery after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Donwood Personal Care Home. A special thanks to Rosella and Sharon.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach and Winnipeg, Man.
MARIE-PAULE COURCELLES (nee Vandal)
May 7, 1957 - May 24, 2005
After a lengthy illness, on Tuesday, May 24, 2005, Marie-Paule Courcelles passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at the St Boniface Hospital, at the age of 48.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Emile; her three daughters, Brigitte Gauthier (Paul), Danielle Bruce (Daniel), Michelle Nault; and her son Wayne Pfiel. Mémère Marie will be deeply missed by her eight grandchildren: Devon, Taelor, Rilan, Chloe, Shanelle, Shaedyn, Dominic, and Shanessa. She also leaves to cherish her two sisters, Aurise André (Roger), Rolande St. Laurent (Carol) and Maurice Vandal (Annette); also many nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her mother- and father-in-law, Pierre and Lucille Courcelles and their family.
She was predeceased by her parents, Bill (1981) and Eleonore Vandal (1994).
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of MICU at the St. Boniface Hospital. A special thanks to her nurse, Marcel Prairie, for his care, and to her niece, Karen Lake, as well as our aunts and uncles for their love and support.
"Mom and Mémère, we will miss you, we cherished all the time we spent together. You will always be in our hearts and prayers. Now you will be at peace with Jésus. Ma peanut, I will always miss you and I will pray for you and hope one day we will be together again, my love. Love you."
The family
Funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, May 27, 2005 at 3 p.m., at the St. Eugene Catholic Church, 1007 St. Mary's Rd., Winnipeg, Man. Interment will follow at a later date in the Ste. Anne Parish cemetery. Donations can be made to the Arthritis Foundation.
CORNELIUS WIEBE KROEKER
Born July 17, 1918 in Steinbach, Man., passed away peacefully at Royal Columbian Hospital, Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 3, 2005 in his 86th year.
Sadly missing him are daughters, Jeanne and Julie; sons, Richard and Robert; daughter-in-law Jennifer Kroeker-Hall; son-in-law Rod DeGianni; grandchildren, Michelle Christensen (nee Kroeker), Robert Bruce Kroeker, Luc DeGianni, Nicholas DeGianni; and great-granddaughter Haeley Christensen. Predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Margaret Rose (nee Lix).
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Recovery Room and Intensive Care Unit at Royal Columbian who provided wonderful care and made his last days comfortable.
JOHN DAVID BARTLETTE
July 6, 1946 - June 10, 2005
In the afternoon of Friday, June 10, following a brief illness, John David Bartlette went home to be with God. At his bedside at the Steinbach Bethesda Hospital were his beloved wife Lin and his children, Sean and Janelle.
John was diagnosed with cancer in the month of March and during the remainder of his life the many people who visited him were amazed and blessed by the radiance of his joy and his peace. He didn't question his misfortune, but said that whatever happened, it would be a win-win situation. His deep and abiding faith remained unswerving to the end. He was a soft-spoken man, and sought to live his life in a way that would speak louder than words.
John was a gifted athlete, musician and teacher. In 1967 he became the Manitoba Featherweight Weightlifting Champion and although he qualified to compete in the Pan American Games, he chose to study music with the late Dorothy Lawson. He believed that his desire to reach out to people could be better served as a musician. He performed various operatic roles with the Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre, the Manitoba Opera Association, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and he sang with the CBC's Hymn Sing. The passion in John's beautiful tenor voice was inspiring. He was known for his wry sense of humor and flair for comedy both on and off stage, and it was always a pleasure to be in his company. At the onset of his illness, John was working towards his black belt in Judo.
For 27 years John, known as Mr. B to his students, taught at the Blumenort School. He strove to find the best in all of them. Being with young people was invigorating and challenging, and he said that he wouldn't mind teaching 365 days of the year. But for all of John's many talents, goals and opportunities, the day he met Lin Unger he knew that she and the children they would have, Sean and Janelle, would always come first.
Among the many highlights in his life was a year he and his family spent in Australia in an exchange teacher program, and directing a school choir to an award-winning performance at the Sydney Opera House, with Lin accompanying them on the piano. Another highlight was his trip to his mother's homeland while touring with the Faith and Life Choir in Ukraine.
God bestowed many gifts on John, and the greatest of all was John's gift of love. He will be deeply missed by Lin, Sean and Janelle, and by his mother, Louise Bartlette, his brothers and sisters-in-law: Bob and Betty Bartlette, Norman and Betty Bartlette, Peter and Kathy Bartlette; by his sisters and brothers-in-law: Marie Lewonchuk, Lenore and Ralph Eidse, Joan and Laurent Berard, Betty and Henry Brandt. He will be fondly remembered by the Unger family, many nieces and nephews, cousins and hundreds of students. He is predeceased by his father Roger Bartlette and sisters, Annette Bartlette and Judy Scott.
The funeral service was held at Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church in Steinbach, Man., Wednesday, June 15. Interment followed at the Morris Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Dr. Curtis Krahn and the Palliative Care nursing staff at the Bethesda Hospital.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bethesda Palliative Care Program, Box 939, Steinbach, MB, R5G 1A3.
Arrangements entrusted to Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr., Steinbach, Man.
FRANK PANISIAK
Jan. 30, 1922 -- June 6, 2005
Suddenly, Monday, June 6, 2005, Frank Panisiak passed away at his residence in Tolstoi, Man., at the age of 83 years. Frank spent many years in Winnipeg, Man., working as a chef at Rae & Jerry's on Portage Avenue. Upon his retirement, he moved to Tolstoi.
Frank Panisiak's funeral service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2005, 11 a.m., at Greenridge United Church, Greenridge, Man. Interment will follow in the Planky Plains Cemetery. Viewing will be at Vita Funeral Home, Vita, Man., Friday, June 10, 2005 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., as well as a half hour prior to the service.
Special thanks to the Vita Ambulance Crew for their professionalism and kindness.
The Family
