LOUIS SYLVAIN NELISSEN

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LOUIS SYLVAIN NELISSEN Peacefully on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the Portage District General Hospital, with his family at his side, Louis Nelissen of Portage La Prairie, widower of the late Drina Nelissen, passed away at the age of 85 years. Prayers will be held in the chapel of the Omega Funeral Home on Tuesday evening, June 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church with the Reverend Father Eric Giddins officiating and the Reverend Deacon Bill Parrack assisting. A private family interment will take place at a later date in Hillside Cemetery. Louis was born August 6, 1923, son of Ferdinand and Philomina Nelissen in Koersel, Belgium, where he was raised and received his education. During the war years he was employed as a guard at the coal mine and after the war he completed his education. In 1954, he immigrated to Canada, settling in Winnipeg. On May 1, 1956 he started his employment at the Manitoba School and the same year he married Drina Schoofs. During his employment at the Manitoba School he took his training as a psychiatric nurse and graduated in 1959. He continued his employment at the Manitoba Development Centre until his retirement in 1988. He then continued to reside in Portage. Louis was a member of the St. Hyacinth and Good Shepard Parishes. His strong beliefs and faith were very evident in the way he led his life. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4250. He had a keen interest in badminton, having taught classes at the La Verendrye School from 1972 to 2002 and also being a member of the Portage Badminton Club. He was also active in the Portage Tennis Club. He also helped start the soccer association in Portage and continued his involvement for over 25 years. During the summer months he enjoyed golfing at Southport and MacGregor and during the winter months he enjoyed curling with the seniors' masters club. After his retirement he enjoyed keeping up his home. He enjoyed playing cribbage with his wife and friends. In 2006 they moved to the Dalton Estates where he resided until his passing. He enjoyed the weekly shuffleboard tournaments and doing puzzles with his many friends. Dad's life was dedicated to his children and especially his grandchildren. He would attend all of their special functions and activities. Predeceased by his wife Drina, three brothers: Father Mark Nelissen, Father Arnold Nelissen and Alex; two sisters: Margaret in infancy and Sister Alexia Nelissen; brothers and sisters-in-law Katie (Herman) Fritschy and John Schoofs and Jissiele Schoofs. Louis leaves to mourn his passing three sons Ferdi (Laureen), Ludo, and Mark (Margaret), one daughter Rose (Keith) Park, all of Portage la Prairie; twelve grandchildren: Devin, Shaye, Jennifer, Michael, Tanis, Julie Nelissen, Melissa, Kathleen, and Carey Van Aert, and Karrah, Michell and Nicole Nelissen; two sisters Yvonne Nelissen and Hilda Van Herck, both of Belgium. He is also survived by his in-laws Lena Schoofs, Toni (Peter) Vosters, Corrie (Hubert) Verwymeren, Truis Schoofs, Bill Schoofs, Louis (Annie) Schoofs, Annie (Ted) Fleerackers and Terry (Bill) Jansen and numerous nieces, nephews and friends in Canada and Belgium. Should friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Parish Building Fund, 114 Countess Ave, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 0T2 or to the Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 0K8. A tribute DVD in memory of Louis will be produced by the Omega Funeral Home, condolences may be sent to the family c/o Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com. Dedicated to those we serve .

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 08, 2009