GUNARS CEPLIS

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GUNARS CEPLIS On July 24, 2008, Gunars Ceplis peacefully passed away at home in Gimli at the age of 79 years. Gunars was born on August 28, 1928, in Kuldiga, Latvia to Anna and Andrejs. His birth house still stands as a historic property in one of Latvia's oldest cities. In 1948 as a refugee, Gunars responded to a Canadian recruiting campaign and signed up to work at the San Antonio gold mine in Bissett, MB. Gunars first started work with Winnipeg Hydro in Pointe du Bois in 1952. He married Ausma Deme in 1952 and they moved to Winnipeg in 1956. Gunars worked for an electrical construction company and returned to Winnipeg Hydro in 1963. They were blessed with three children - Dinah, Ilze and James. The family moved to St. Andrews, MB and actively engaged in beekeeping and other agricultural activities. In the mid 1970s, Gunars and Ausma took a vacation to Texas and spent many winter vacations there. The family moved back to Winnipeg but by 1983, tired of city life, they began construction of a dream house on another acreage in St. Andrews. Gunars retired from Winnipeg Hydro in August 1988 and he and Ausma began to enjoy their retired life: winters in Texas and summers in Arnes. This meant gardening almost 12 months of the year! In 1997, Gunars and Ausma moved to Gimli. Gunars enjoyed working with his hands on stained glass, fix-it projects, woodworking and the Internet, and listening to the radio. Gunars will be sadly missed by his wife Ausma, children Dinah of Minnedosa, Ilze (Mike Mahood) of Winnipeg and James (Jacinta McInnis) of Calgary, granddaughter Nikola of Winnipeg and grandson Quinn of Calgary, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Dzidra and Elmars Chulka of Gimli and Imants and Lidija Deme of Burlington, ON and their families. He is also survived by friends and relatives in Latvia, Canada and the USA. At Gunars' request, no memorial service will be held. Family and friends are invited to Rotary Towers, 94-5th Ave, Gimli for fellowship and refreshments on Monday, July 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2008