ETHEL LISOWSKI

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ETHEL LISOWSKI It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Ethel Lisowski, resident of Douglas Campbell Lodge in Portage la Prairie, formerly of Brandon. Ethel died on Tuesday, August 11, 2009, less than a month away from her 92nd birthday. Ethel was born September 2, 1917 at East Selkirk, Manitoba, the second oldest child of Michael and Mary (Kudyba) Mlodzinski. She was predeceased by her parents, husband John, and siblings Edward, Walter, Jean, Lillian, Leonard, Joe, Stanley and Charlie. As a young woman venturing away from the East Selkirk farm, Ethel worked for various businesses in Winnipeg. In 1941, she married John Lisowski of Winnipeg. With Johnny , she moved to St. Catharines, Ontario where he was stationed with the R.C.A.F. Following the war, Ethel and John returned to Winnipeg where John entered into partnership with his brother Charles and uncle Michael Wawrykow. The partnership purchased the Albion Hotel in Portage la Prairie and Ethel and John moved to Portage la Prairie in 1947. In 1948, son Kenneth was born and in 1952, son Richard completed the Lisowski family on Queen Street. In 1953, the family moved to Brandon where John and the partnership had purchased the Cecil Hotel. Ethel and John remained in Brandon for the rest of their years together and Ethel continued to live there until her move to Douglas Campbell Lodge in the fall of 2007, in response to her failing health. While raising her family in Brandon, Ethel enjoyed many activities. St. Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church was an important part of her life. Ethel was a long standing member of The Order of the Royal Purple, highlighted by her time as an Honoured Royal Lady. Hotel conventions were also an annual social highlight for John and Ethel. Ethel was quite competitive, enjoying curling and having been a member of the Eight Ender Club; she loved cards including bridge and various other card games. She seemed inordinately lucky in cards. Ethel was a dedicated gardener and a fabulous cook. Ethel and John had a wonderful circle of friends in Brandon, known to the rest of us as The Gang . They had wonderful social outings together, often beginning at the bowling alley and then ending up for food, drink and song at a couple's house. In retirement years, Ethel and John traveled to join members of The Gang in Mesa, Arizona for the winter months. It was in February of 1991, that John died of heart a attack in Mesa. The greatest times of Ethel's life were doubtlessly spent at the cottage at Clear Lake. It was a wonderful family place, as the Lisowski crew managed to fill every one of the four bedrooms to overflowing. Ethel's desire for a daughter was fulfilled with the arrival of six granddaughters who each delighted Ethel in her own way, and then the great grandchildren began to arrive. It was a place of happiness. Ethel is survived by her son Ken and daughter-in-law Margaret, son Richard and daughter-in-law Beverley; granddaughters Tracy (Darryl) Vanstone, Lisa Lisowski, Christine Lisowski (Jeff Andrews), Amy (Keith) Buchanan, Marla Lisowski (Ryan Fries), and Megan Lisowski; and five great grandchildren: Abby, Reegan and Adam Vanstone and Jackson and Nolan Buchanan; sisters-in-law Mary Mlodzinski, Violet Mlodzinski, and Elsie Lisowski; numerous nieces and nephews. The family is most appreciative of the care and compassion always evident at Douglas Campbell Lodge and the professionalism of the staff at the PGH. Prayers will be held on Thursday evening, August 13, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, 56 Royal Road S., Portage la Prairie; Funeral Mass will be Friday, August 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 1125 Saskatchewan Avenue East, Portage la Prairie with Father Eric Giddins officiating; interment will be at the Brandon Cemetery, 1901 Eighteenth Street South in Brandon at 4:00 p.m. Donations in Ethel's memory may be made to Douglas Campbell Lodge, 150 Ninth Street. S.E., Portage la Prairie or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, c/o Catherine Newham - Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7. A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by: McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 857-4021

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 12, 2009