DONNA KOWAL

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DONNA KOWAL (nee Sokulski) October 13, 1949 - April 25, 2006 Suddenly at the Gimli Community Health Centre, Donna passed away at the age of 56. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her family and many friends. Donna was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Severine Sokulski; and her brother Michael. She is survived by her son Jean-Paul (Christine) and her pride and joy, her grandson Lane; sisters, Pat (Gary), Marilyn (Daulat), Irene (John), foster sisters and brothers, numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, Irene and Anna; as well as numerous other relatives. She was born in Winnipeg and raised on the family farm in Poplarfield. After her marriage to Richard Kowal, she resided in Ear Falls until 2004 when she moved to Gimli to be closer to her family and to take life easier in semi-retirement. She fell in love with Gimli and the Interlake, renewed old friendships and made many new friends, including the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church parishioners. Donna had a passion for family, singing, socializing, travel, the Winnipeg Folk Festival and her Ukrainian heritage. As the family historian, she had just finished an extensive compilation of her mom's family roots with anecdotal events dating back to the Ukraine where her mom was born. Donna was a very caring and encouraging person with a wonderful zest for life, determination and strength of character. She had many different jobs during her life, teaching, skidder operator and human resources. She had many interesting hobbies such as fishing, gardening and writing to name a few. Special thanks to Nancy and the Gimli paramedics and hospital staff who worked so hard to revive Donna. Prayers will be said on Friday (today), April 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel in Gimli. Divine liturgy will be held on Saturday, April 29 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, also in Gimli with Fr. Harry Chuckry officiating. Following the lunch in the Church basement, interment will take place in the High Plains Cemetery, Poplarfield, MB. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 28, 2006