STEFAN (STEVE) BEDNAREK

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STEFAN (STEVE) BEDNAREK August 1, 1915 August 31, 2009 Peacefully on a sunny day in Ashern at the Lakeshore General Hospital on August 31, 2009, our Dad died with family close by. Survived by his six children and their spouses whom he loved and was very proud of, Bryce (Joan), Marilyn (John), Gerald Hap' (Allie), Vivian (Roy), Marvin (Lois), Greg (Sherry); brother Eddy Bednarek; sister Ruthie Stefanson; sisters-in-law, Thelma Schick and Jean Pischke; brother-in-law Doug Stefanson; his grandchildren whom he dearly loved, Kelly (John), Tammy (Scott), Sean (Chantal), Darren (Leanne), Shelly (Brad), Derek (Darcie), Pamela (Geoff), Natalie (Jeff), Kevin, Dustin and Amy Lee; his 12 great-grandchildren who he was so proud of and whom they referred to as Super Grandpa, Jennifer and Steven Sillery, Parker and Abby Klassen, Scarlett Shabaga, Dillon and Cassandra Bednarek, Ethan and Owen Rohl, Sarah and Kasey Bednarek and Sydney Armstrong along with many nieces, nephews and friends. Dad was predeceased by his wife of 57 years Maria, a daughter in infancy Hope Elaine, father Ben, mother Martha, brother Tony, sister Helen, sisters-in-law Ruth and Margaret, brother-in-law Norman, nephew Larry and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Our Dad was born, raised and educated in the Steep Rock District and lived and farmed the family homestead most of his life. He met our mother Maria Pischke in the Grahamdale Lutheran Church. They married and worked side by side to raise our family of six and provide us a happy, healthy and wonderful life on the farm by the lake in Steep Rock. There were no vacations to Disneyland in those days. We lived our own Disneyland right at home on the farm with no lack of good food, warm clothes and real love. Dad fished in winter for many years to make ends meet, logged and hewed logs to build farm buildings that are still being used. Dad did custom threshing and hay hauling throughout the district. He was one of the first proud owners of a stack mover which is still in operation on the farm today. In later years he became an LGD Councillor for 13 years, a job he did well. He worked hard to get proper drainage throughout his district so farmers had adequate hay and pasture land. Recently Steve Bednarek Road' was developed which Dad was so very honoured to stand beside and have his picture taken. In the fall of 1995, our Mom died which left our Dad totally lost for a time. Due to an early spring, his thoughts then became occupied with an idea he got to develop a gate-latch for barbed wire fences. His idea soon took off and his passion for it filled those days of loneliness. He called it his hobby that would help farm women more easily move and open those tough gates. He was given the nickname The Old Gate Man'. In the last 14 years, he probably built and installed 500 600 of these latches. He donated and gave away more than he ever took money for; he just liked people and the thought of helping them out. He always enjoyed being asked to stay for a meal at those farms where he was installing them. Some of his latches have travelled as far as Holland (in the Netherlands), Texas and most of the Prairie Provinces. George Adrian was a dear friend of Dad's. He lathed all the handles for the gate latches for Dad. Dad left his children and grandchildren a legacy you could not buy anywhere. Dad was a very good farmer and made the most of what he had. He raised good quality cattle and grain. Dad and Mom raised large turkeys, chickens and pigs on the farm, milked cows and sold cream. He loved to work on the land and did a very thorough job of it. Each of our farms has his many hours of discing done on them. He mowed hay for the last time at age 91 with his youngest grandson Kevin. In 2000, Dad rebuilt a wagon and made it into a covered wagon complete with a canvas top and seats for passengers. It went in many parades and was even pulled by a pair of oxen by some friends who lived in Stonewall. He won a trophy for it which he was proud of. Don Cook had a real nice team of horses that pulled that wagon several times for him. The Pioneer Quest winners of the CBC Show were asked to ride in the parade in that covered wagon which gave Dad a sense of satisfaction for all his long hours of hard work. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at the Grahamdale Community Hall with Pastor Gary Russell officiating. A private family interment will be held prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lakeshore Hospital Guild, c/o Julie Bergner, PO Box 721, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0. We want to thank Dr. Isaacs who looked after our Dad for many years and, more recently, Dr. Ramadan, the nurses and aids and hospital staff where our Dad had to live for the past two months. Thank you to Patsy Klyne, Helen Webster, Darlene Springer and all the caring Home Care workers who helped in his home initially, and then the Pioneer Manor; to the Life' Office for all the help and kindness shown to ourselves and to our Dad; to his many friends who visited him regularly at home and in the hospital; God Bless you all. A special thank you to John and Karen Gray of Arnason Funeral Home for all the help and compassion at this difficult time. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2009