Tag: Cremation

Richard “Rick” Barry Steffan

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May 14, 1960 – September 22, 2024

It is with saddened hearts to announce the sudden passing of our beloved Richard Barry Steffan at the age of 64 years.

Richard was born in Winnipeg Manitoba, May 14, 1960, to Sarah and Lawrence Steffan.

He was predeceased by his daughter Leanne, and his parents and grandparents.

He is survived by his daughters Rebecca, Rachel, and Christina, his common­ law girlfriend Paulette Perrault, his brothers Gary (Cheryl), Ken (Pauline) and nephews Graham and Connor Steffan and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

He was private in his personal life, but loved joking and loved to chat with family and friends. He loved cars and maintaining his car and working with wood and installing doors and hardware and cabinets and loved to have fun.

He enjoyed intelligent conversations on various topics including religious discussions. He enjoyed the Northern Manitoba communities of Churchill and Rankin Inlet.

One of Richard’s favorite things to do was cooking, especially using ingredients of garlic, onions and hot peppers and have friends and family join him in his dishes that he made.

Even though he was not without struggles in his life, and sometimes life got really hard for him, he always could have a smile on his face and a joke to tell, and he held to his faith in God and would tell others about Him.

We will miss you a lot Rick. Your struggles are over. Rest in God.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Richard’s memorial page using the comment field below.

Barbara-Jean Oberding (Nee Hodgkinson)

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September 10, 1944 – September 21, 2024

Barbara-Jean Oberding passed away peacefully with her family at her side on September 21, 2024 in Betel Care Home, Gimli, Manitoba at the age of 80 years.

Barb is survived by her husband of 61 years, David Oberding. Her son, Rob Oberding (Lisa) and grandchildren, Tessie, Brooklynn (Jarrod), Kristen (Jay) and Kyle and great grandchildren, Thomas and Londynn. Her daughter Carrie-Lee Oberding (widow of Al Yorke), and daughter Leslie-Anne Oberding (Trevor) and grandson Hudson. She is also survived by many cherished friends from her life in Saskatchewan and Manitoba from childhood to retirement.

She is predeceased by her parents Arthur and Gladys Hodgkinson and her brother Douglas Hodgkinson.

Barb spent every summer since childhood in Matlock at her family’s cottage, eventually retiring in Matlock in the home her father built. Barb and Dave spent many years in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba collecting cherished, lifelong friends throughout their many moves. Barb was the life of the party and loved to be surrounded by friends and family. She was known for her sense of humor and her passion for entertaining. Most would say she was a firecracker who liked to spur deep conversation. She worked in many capacities throughout her life in areas from politics, child services to herbal medicine. She was a graduate of Reeves Business College and was a founding board member of The Lake Winnipeg Foundation and a board member of the Riverview Hospital. She loved to read and educate herself on mental and physical wellbeing and share that information with others. Barb also had a thirst for absorbing the news of the world and discussing it over a glass of wine.

She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of crossing her path. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who provided care for Barb, especially her special friends who checked in regularly. A sincere thank you to the staff at Betel Care Home for their compassion and support during her last months.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at Barb and Dave’s residence in Matlock ( 42 Pinegrove Avenue, Matlock, MB. R0C 2B0) on October 5 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please donate, in Barb’s memory, to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Barb’s memorial page using the comment field below.

David Lorne Smith

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March 18, 1933 – September 18, 2024

David (Dave) died peacefully on September 18 at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, at the age of 91. 

Born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1933, to Clarkson and Ada Smith, Dave was the youngest brother to Muriel, Doug, and Gord.  David was predeceased by his parents, sister Muriel and brother-in-law Don, and their sons Bruce and Malcolm, Brother Doug and sister-in-law Helen, and their daughters Lorraine and Sharon, brother Gord, and 9 years ago by his beloved wife Gwen. Dave is survived by his children Janet (Peter), Neil (Karen), and Carolyn, and his precious granddaughters Avery and Taylor. 

Dave attended Flemming Elementary in Brandon, following which the family moved to Winnipeg where he attended Isaac Brock Junior High, Gordon Bell High and Kelvin High, graduating in 1951-52. Dave didn’t thrive in his educational career until his university years. After a semester in Engineering, he switched to Agriculture where he completed both his bachelor’s degree and then his Masters degree in 1959.  Dave then worked as an Entomologist for the Province of Manitoba from 1959 until he retired in 1989.

It was in his early years that, through family, Dave developed his love of the outdoors, hunting and a keen interest in history – of the world, our families, and local Manitoba history. He loved Manitoba and the big prairie sky, and no matter where he travelled he always looked forward to coming home. 

As a teenager, Dave discovered his love and talent for the sport of basketball, contributing to several championship teams including the 1951-52 Gordon Bell City High School Champions, the Winnipeg Stellars, and then 5 years with the University of Manitoba Bisons where he was an All-Star twice, the Pat Gorman Most Valuable Player and when the Bisons won three consecutive WCIAU titles from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Dave was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of fame both as a team member, and an individual player.

Ultimately though, it was when he met Gwen (Audrey Gwendolyn Horn) who was working as secretary for the Dean of the Agricultural diploma program at the U of M in 1957, that Dave found his life purpose:  husband, father, and then joyfully, grandfather. Marrying in 1959, Dave and Gwen built a life and a family together over their 56-year marriage.  Together, they believed in and stood for honesty, humility, hard work, the importance of family and community, and doing the right thing. 

Donations in memory of Dave can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba (in recognition of the incredible care they gave Gwen), or a cause close to your heart. 

Pictures will be added to Dave’s memorial page soon.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Dave’s memorial page using the comment field below.

Olga Gnidziejko (Nee Ftoma) – Updated

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August 20, 1936 – September 3, 2024

**A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Sturgeon Heights Community Centre, 210 Rita Street, Winnipeg.**

On Tuesday September 3, 2024, Olga Gnidziejko passed away at the age of 88 at the Grace hospital after a short illness.

Olga will be missed and lovingly remembered by her sons Jim (Colleen), Brad and grandchildren Bailey, Jacob and Noah, and her extended family and friends.

She was predeceased by Harry, her husband of 56 years, her parents John and Pauline, Sisters Anne and Stella, Brothers Steve and John.

Olga was born and grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba. As a young woman she moved to Winnipeg and spent most of her adult life in St. James. She married in 1961 and she and Harry spent the next years raising their two Sons.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Olga’s memorial page using the comment field below.

Joanne Fredericks

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It is with a deep sense of sorrow and loss, our family announces the passing of our beloved mom, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend Joanne. She passed away suddenly but peacefully after a brief stay at Health Sciences Centre on September 5, 2024, at the age of 70.

Born to Gerald and Ida (nee Chambers) Ottenbreit, Joanne grew up in a lively household with siblings who would become her lifelong friends and confidants. Though she bid farewell to her parents and siblings Darlene, Sandy, Donna, and Dennis before her, the bonds of family love remain unbroken, stretching beyond the veil of life and death.

Joanne’s heart found its match in James, her steadfast partner of 50 years. Together, they built a life rich in adventure and joy, raising three sons—Darrell, Steven (Angel), and Brandon (Courtney) — who would come to embody the values she held dear. Her role as a grandmother to Autumn, Skyla, and Noah was one she cherished with every fiber of her being, her pride in their achievements and her joy in their happiness shining like a beacon.

Joanne is also survived by her siblings, Sister Terry (Steve, deceased) and Brother Jimmy, and their families, who will forever cherish her memory and the time they shared with her throughout the years.

Her love extended beyond the confines of home, touching all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. As “The Boss” of the family business for over four decades, Joanne led with a mix of strength and compassion, earning the respect and admiration of all who worked with her.

Joanne’s generosity knew no bounds. Her heart of gold became a sanctuary for those in need, never turning away from a chance to extend a helping hand. Her presence was a gift, her laughter a melody that will echo in the hearts of her loved ones forever.

Mom, we want to sincerely thank you for your love, support and unconditional love. Our hearts will always ache for you and the times and memories we have will live on forever.

In honoring Joanne’s giving spirit, the family suggests donations to Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg Food Bank or donating blood to Canadian Blood Services in lieu of flowers.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Selkirk Community Church, 6569 Provincial Trunk Highway 9, Saint Andrews, MB, on Tuesday October 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. to honor the beautiful tapestry of Joanne’s life, where family and friends can gather to share stories, tears, and laughter, just as she would have wanted.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Joanne’s memorial page using the comment field below.