ANTHONY (TONY) JARSCHKE

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ANTHONY (TONY) JARSCHKE September 3, 1910 June 20, 2008 Peacefully surrounded by his loving family, Opa breathed his last, at the age of 97 at the Maples Personal Care Home. Left to mourn his passing are his only son Werner, daughter-in-law Waltraut Wendy (nee Hocker), grandchildren Robert and wife (Corinne Drobot), Suzanne and husband (Terry Johnston), Christopher and girlfriend (Asta Tendzegolskyte). Opa was predeceased by his wife Erna (nee Zigawe) July 25, 1975. Tony will also be sadly missed by numerous half sisters, nieces, cousins, uncles, aunts and friends in California, Arizona, Alaska, Chicago, Boston, Poland, and Germany. Dad was born in Mokrotyn, Poland in the region of Zolkiew on September 3, 1910. He was raised on a farm and worked as an apprentice blacksmith for his father Karl. Dad was in the Polish Calvary in 1938-39 and enjoyed shoeing horses. After the war Dad met his bride Erna and they married in Brockau on April 3, 1943. He also worked as a steam locomotive mechanic in Plattling from 1948-52. The family lived in Uttenkofen, Bavaria on a farm until 1952 when they immigrated to Canada and made Winnipeg, Manitoba their new home. Tony worked at many jobs such as street cleaning for the city, unloading coal from boxcars, auto body work at Consolidated Motors, and various duties at Bridge and Tank. He loved working for Dominion Bridge Company as a welder in the Joist Department until his retirement. Tony was known as the Mister Fix All in steel and he created garden tools, knives, sleighs, and anything else that needed repairing in the shop. In his retirement years, Dad switched to gardening and his beautiful flowerbeds and tomatoes were the envy of the neighbourhood. He also grew cherry trees and grafted fruit trees which produced three kinds of apples on one tree. Opa planted castor bean plants that grew right up to the eaves and was very proud of the article that appeared in the Elmwood Herald with the caption Tony and the Beanstalk . Tony made several trips to Germany and Los Angeles to visit family and friends and keep connections alive. He loved writing letters to friends and relatives and sent many generous parcels back home at Christmas. Life changed when at the age of 80 Opa survived a cardiac arrest in the doctor's office. Through strict diet, exercise, riding his bicycle, walking and lots of rest, Opa recuperated and was thankful to God to celebrate two birthdays now. He continued to drive his car, visit friends and loved shopping at Super Store. Opa became a good cook and baker and his cabbage rolls, perogies, plum dumplings, cheese, apple, poppy seed were the delight of everyone. Opa looked forward to Sunday afternoon visits with the family to play dominoes, listen to march and choir music, and enjoy the food and fellowship. He was extremely proud of his three grandchildren and spoiled them with goodies and gifts and much love. The family would like to thank the staff at the Concordia Hospital N1 North and E3 for their compassionate care over the eight months. A big thank you also to the staff at Maples Personal Care Home 2W for all their hard work, compassion and dedication. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 26, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave. (Aubrey Street entrance) with funeral services on Friday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Sherwood Park Lutheran Church, 7 Tudor Crescent with Pastor Tom Lurvey officiating. Schlaf nur selig und suss / Schlaf in Traums Paradis Morgen früh wen Gott will / Wirst Du wieder geweckt Opa wir haben Dich sehr lieb und wir werden Dich sehr vermissen NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2008