BRYAN EIDSE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BRYAN EIDSE It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Bryan on October 13, 2006. This gentle giant of a man was at home with his dear wife Vera when he passed on. Also mourning this tremendous loss are his daughters, Vanessa and Ali. Alison Lara and husband, Cory Froehlich, Vanessa Eve and husband, Neil Townsend, grandsons Luke, Elias and Gabriel were present during his time at home. Bryan was born at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg on September 30, 1945 to Susan and John Eidse. His early years were happily spent in the country at Pleasant Valley near Morris, where he loved to play with his many cousins. It is here that he first attended school. In 1967 Bryan met Vera Bueckert from Gretna. Following a whirlwind romance the short courtship evolved as Bryan skated into Vera's life. October 10th, 2006 they celebrated their thirty-eighth wedding anniversary. In 1973 Bryan graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the School of Art, University of Manitoba. Always passionate about Art, it was central to all of his pursuits as a craftsman, artist, teacher and parent. By now a young father to his two precious girls, Bryan left Winnipeg for Killarney where he worked as an Art teacher until 1989 when he returned to Winnipeg. His years as a teacher were professionally and personally very enriching. He taught internationally for one year at Mummelmannsberg in Hamburg, Germany. As a volunteer facilitator in St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and Antigua, Bryan facilitated courses in Conflict Resolution Through The Arts. Locally, he taught many years at St. John's Ravenscourt School and the last years at Victor Wyatt School. These teaching and many travel experiences, helped to shape Bryan's perspectives. Never a passive by-stander, he took action to organize to collect books and school supplies for the Caribbean children, which resulted in the founding of a library in St. Lucia. He also became a founding member of Friends Of Africa Relief and Development Agency Canada Inc. and was instrumental in the establishing of a new school for GirlChild Mothers who survived the civil war in Sierra Leone. Above all, Bryan was a people person. What he loved most of all was to spend time with his family and friends, camping and skiing with his girls, telling stories, gardening, creating projects, chatting to his new grandchildren and train-chasing with his precious Lukie. His favourite place was at home with Vera. He is survived by his parents John and Susan Eidse, and three sisters Joan, Kathy and Rose and their families, Also, father-in-law Peter Bueckert, and in-laws, Al, Lynn and Eric Bueckert and their families. A memorial service for Bryan Eidse will be held on Monday, October 23, at the First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Ave. at 1:00 p.m. Public viewings will be held on Sunday, October 22, 3:30 5:00 p.m. at the Katherine Friesen Centre, 940 Notre Dame Avenue and Monday, October 23, 12:00 12:45 p.m. at the church. In memory of Bryan, if friends so desire, donations may be made to: Friends Of Africa Relief and Development Agency, 912 Palmerston Avenue, Winnipeg, R3G 1J5, in support of the education for The GirlChild Mothers of Mobai, Sierra Leone, Africa The Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at The Childrens Hospital, Health Sciences Hospital in Winnipeg. Att'n: NICU. The family thanks Dr. Ken Kasper, Dr. Gary Harding, Dr. Karen Humphreys and Dr. Fiona Crowe for their very special care. Thanks also to the excellent health care team that made it possible for Bryan to be at home for this last chapter of his journey. Arrangements by Wiebe Funeral Home of Altona.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 21, 2006