KURT HAZE

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KURT HAZE It is with much heartache and sorrow that we announce Kurt Haze, much Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and most importantly Opa', passed away suddenly August 19, 2009, three days after his 80th birthday. Kurt is survived by his wife Betty, sister-in-law Marie, daughter Helga, granddaughter Jasmine (Rick) and great-grandchildren Colton and Katrice. Born in Riga, Latvia, Kurt had numerous obstacles early on in life, escaping from war camps as a teenager, which claimed the life of his mother and grandfather in Germany in the early 1940s, and later in turn was reunited with his father in Nuremburg, the town where he met his future wife Betty, and where their daughter Helga was born. Excited to start a new life in a promising country, Kurt and Betty decided to move to Canada for a life of opportunity and free of war. Winnipeg was their chosen destination. Kurt wanted to ensure that he had a good job and enough money to set up a home for his wife and daughter, and went on his own to a strange new land, to do just that in 1951. Betty and Helga followed the next year. In addition to their daughter, Kurt and Betty opened up their loving home in 1969 to help raise their granddaughter Jasmine, til adulthood, treating and respecting her as the second daughter they never had. Working many jobs and going to school to finish his education, Kurt then obtained his CMA from the University of Manitoba in 1960. In 1970 he accepted a job at Controlled Environments (Conviron) and worked there til his retirement in 1991 as the Vice President of Finance. There are many things Kurt loved to do, playing the clarinet (years back), listening to classical music, working around his yard and house, spending time with Betty at their vacation trailer in Hadashville, MB, going for visits with Betty to see Marie down in the States, Sunday chats with Helga, weekly brunches at Perkins in Southdale, meeting with good friends such as Jim, George Chapman and Dyck Taylor as well as running. When Kurt was able to, he was a part of the YMCA Road Runners Club in St. James, and would meet with friends three times a week, running ten miles each time, this started in the 1970s right up til 1994 as an injury placed him on the sidelines (1088 miles alone in 1988). One of his greatest treasures were Kurts' family. He loved to spend time with everyone and took great pleasure in knowing he was loved in return. Kurt always made a point in meeting and greeting his neighbours. He was very sociable, loved to strike up a conversation and had a smile for everyone he met, no matter who you were he made sure to make you feel like a 'somebody'. He was an honest, fair and hardworking gentleman who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. Most of all he held a special bond with his great-grandson Colton, who he insisted on picking up after school each day rain, or shine, attending Grandparents day and Colton and Katrice's Christmas concerts at school. Respecting Kurt's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal service. A family gathering will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kurt's memory to the Salvation Army, 203 - 290 Vaughan Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2N8. Neil Bardal Inc. 204-949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 22, 2009