BYRON SWARTZENTRUBER

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BYRON SWARTZENTRUBER April 17, 1959 - November 5, 2009 With great sadness in our hearts, but also with happiness in celebration of his life, we announce the passing of Byron Swartzentruber. Surrounded by his family and friends, Byron peacefully left us the evening of November 5, 2009. Byron is survived by his wife of 27 years, Connie; daughter Kerri (Ken); and sons, Ryan and Adam. Also left to cherish his memory are sister Margaret (Earl) of Cambridge, Ontario; brother Ralph (Sandra) of Woodstock, Ontario; and nieces and nephews, Wendy (Isam), Mary Lynn (Joe), Mark (Laura), Denise (Ken), Duane (Nicole), Donna (Jeremy) and Darolyn (Mike), and their families; also Connie's parents, Ed and Kathy Hildebrand of Winnipeg, Manitoba; her brothers, Gerald (Barb) and Daryl; and niece and nephew, Taren and Eric. Byron was predeceased by his parents, Elroy and Verda. Byron was born and raised in Hickson, Ontario. The youngest of his siblings by many years, he enjoyed life on the farm. His father passed when he was 18, and shortly after he began work at Erb Transport, the company he would ultimately work for his entire life. He started his career as a driver, and finished as the Operations Manager for the Erb Transport Winnipeg terminal, successfully growing that region of the business exponentially through his strong leadership and work ethic. In 1980, while at the MCC Relief Sale in New Hamburg, Ontario, Byron met his future wife and soulmate, Connie. Her attempts at deflecting his affections were unsuccessful, and ultimately she gave in to his persuasive nature. They married in 1982 in Crystal City, Manitoba, and went on to have three wonderful children, Kerri, Ryan and Adam. In 1998 the family moved from New Hamburg to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Those who knew Byron understood the immense pride and joy he took in watching his children grow and mature into the amazing people they are today. Byron was able to touch a multitude of lives in many different ways. He approached life with an unbridled sense of optimism, and was always delighted to meet new people. Whether it was on vacation across Canada, or even on other continents, it never ceased to amaze that Byron would come across someone he was connected to. We will miss hearing his stories upon return from vacation that inevitably began with You'll never guess who I met A strong faith and active involvement in his church, Sterling Mennonite Fellowship, created an incredible group of friends. The Swartzentruber family is so grateful for all of the friends and family who supported them and Byron through his recent and sudden affliction with cancer, and is also appreciative to the wonderful staff at Health Sciences Centre and the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital. Visitation will be held Monday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg, followed by a celebration of Byron's life Tuesday, November 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Winnipeg Evangelical Free Church, 500 Lagimodiere Boulevard, Winnipeg. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Byron's memory to Mennonite Central Committee.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 09, 2009