1937-2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lil Sokal of Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, at 86 years of age. She passed after a short illness with family and friends by her side during her journey.
She is survived by her daughter, Kim Link (husband Greg), son Grant Sokal (wife Donna); grandchildren Rachel (Matty), Mitchell (Emilia), Grace (Jaden), great grandchildren Charlotte and Lincoln, and brothers Wes (Sylvia), Les (Muriel) and Garry (Kathy) Jeske and brother-in-law Ervin Sagert. She was predeceased by her husband Paul, grandson Michael Link, parents, Bill and Della Jeske, and sisters Sarah Knispel, Ann Higgs, and Ruth Sagert.
She was born in Minitonas, Manitoba where she spent her early years helping on the family farm and helping raise her young brothers.
She moved to Winnipeg as a teenager where she found employment in the Valley Room at Eaton’s downtown. In 1961 she caught the eye of a striking young man after a baseball game. A year later Paul and Lil were married and in 1963 they started their family. They made their first family home on Belmont Avenue and soon moved to beautiful East St Paul in 1967. They were a formidable pair raising their children side by side, working alongside each other at their trailer making business of Sokal Industries and building their dream cabin in Lac du Bonnet in 1979.
She loved her kids and their friends from Rebeck Road, her plentiful garden, and their yearly camping trips from Montreal to the Rockies in dad’s homemade motorhomes. She curled at the East St. Paul Curling Club for over 40 years dating back to when Kim and Grant were young enough to be babysat at the club while she curled.
After Paul’s passing, she fulfilled the dream they had together, and moved to the cabin in Lac du Bonnet in 2010.
She was a great mom, grandma, great grandma and friend. We will miss her famous quilts that are cherished by many, and her always present potato salad and carrot cake.
We would like to thank the staff of the hospitals of HSC, Pinawa, St. Boniface, Selkirk and Seven Oaks. She had quite a journey the past five months and there are many in the health care system that we are very thankful for. If you wish to donate, please consider a contribution to the St. Boniface Foundation (specifying Registered Nurses Alumni) at www.stbhf.ca
A Celebration of Lil’s life will be held on Thursday, September 28 @ 2 pm, at Glen Eden, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB. Interment and reception to follow.
Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences on Lil’s memorial page by using the comment field below.
Kim&Grant. I’m sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Please accept my condolences. It was always great see your mom and dad at the lake.
My heartfelt condolences. I feel so privileged to have known Lil and shared in so many family gatherings with her. Her quilts, her dish clothes and scrubbies are a staple in my home. There is no one in the world like your Mom, she was a very generous and kind soul. I hope you find peace and joy in the many wonderful memories you have shared. Love to you all.
Laurie B.
Grant and Kim I am so sorry to hear of Mom’s passing. Lots of great memories of you on Rebeck Rd. My Dad and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Kim, Greg Link Family and Grant, Donna Sokal Family.
This is a time to remember the life of your wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was indeed one of the best friends of Irene and I as we raised and enjoyed our children together. Our world is a much better place having Lil Sokal in our midst.
I first met your mom in 1961 when your father spotted her after a baseball game and how excited he was. He introduced himself and the rest is to be celebrated.
We send our love, support, hugs and deepest Sympathy.
Bob Cunningham and family
Dear Kim & Greg, Grant & Donna and family,
I am so very sorry to hear the passing of your dear mom. To me she was still young and it surprised me to read she was 86. Like the rest of us, she aged too.
Her life was so rich with such a beautiful and supportive family.
See you all on Thursday.
Hugs,
Liz Loewen
Dear Kim and Grant, I remember Auntie Lil from the childhood days as someone who was always fun loving, and who always had a smile on her face. She consistently set time aside to spend with us kids and to chat with us. She was interested in us and in what we were doing. I have such pleasant warm memories of those times when she was there. Please accept my deep condolences. Sincerely, Brad Barrie
Dear Kim & Grant & families,
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your dear Mom, Grandma & Great Grandma.
We have so many fond memories of your Mom & Dad from way back on Rebeck Road. Your parents were gems & your Mom was always a gentle, kind & gracious woman.
My dad Marv Huff ( & Joan) had many ‘happenings’ out at your place in Birds Hill!! My dad has dementia but still clipped out your Mom’s obituary from the Free Press.
Sending our sincere thoughts & prayers to you all at this sad time.
KarenMacHutchon, Lauran Nimchuk, Marv Huff
Offering my special condolences from the Tom Lester family to the Sokal families and their family and friends. LIL was soft spoken full of knowledge for her family, recreation passions, and work but always worth listening to and you came away that engaging in conversation was always worthwhile. God bless and rest in peace.
Kim & Greg, Grant & Donna and families…we are thinking of you all during this tough time. Aunty Lil was such an amazing soul. May she rest in peace. Sending big hugs and prayers from the Barrie’s.
We were so sorry to hear of Auntie Lil’s passing and hope all the fond memories your family has will sustain you during this time of loss.