JAN GARRY KREUTZER

Condolences & Memories (28 entries)

• Jan was 7 years my senior, and my next door neighbor during my formative years. Jan was such the athlete and role model for a lot of us young lads growing up on Riverbend Ave. St. Vital. One hot summer day, Jan was pitching hard ball to my Dad who was the catcher, in our back yard. Jan threw the ball so fast, that my Dad did not react in time. The ball went through the beaver board ( sheathing )and left a perfect sized baseball hole in the wall of our garage. I was amazed how fast and hard that ball had to be travelling to leave such a perfect hole. After a few years, we could afford to install siding over the baseball hole. I still remember that Jan was the Man, especially on our street. May you rest in peace. Shawn Parker. - Posted by: Shawn Parker (Neighbor) on: Mar 30, 2016

• Oh Kreutz! What a shock to hear you have left us. I remember dancing in your basement to Live Baby Live - INXS So happy for the time that you and Holly were able to spend together. Remember when she met you and how she knew immediately that you where the man for her. I thought, this old fart. You blessed so many with your warmth and zest for life. I never did see you play ball, but know that you made so many people feel better being around you. RIP Kreutz. - Posted by: Dave Shortill (Friend) on: Mar 07, 2016

• Holly & family. I was deeply saddened to have read Jan's Obit in the Free Press. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Jan was a great co-worker. Enjoyed many good times with him during the years I was in Russell. Rest in peace dear fellow. - Posted by: Chris Haywood (Co-worker) on: Mar 02, 2016

• So sorry to hear about Jan. He was one of the original "Winnipeg Goats", which made its first of many appearances at the U of S Super Volley tournament in Saskatoon in 1973. It was an honour to have known Jan. - Posted by: Barry Gros (VB team mate) on: Feb 28, 2016

• Sad news. On reading of Jan's passing, a flood of memories of watching him lead the Lancers' basketball and volleyball teams as they dismantled their opponents. Deepest sympathies to Jan's family and all who held him dear. - Posted by: Dunc Malcolm () on: Feb 27, 2016

• Our condolences to Holly and Family. We have fond memories of Jan through U of Winnipeg , volleyball, and have thought of him many times over the years. Rest in peace Jan....you will be missed - Posted by: Heather and Bob Rogers (Friends) on: Feb 27, 2016

• Have not seen Jan in 50 years. Cannot forget what kind of basketball player. Put Dakota on the map in the early years. - Posted by: Don Wilkinson (Classmate) on: Feb 27, 2016

• Our condolences to Holly and Family. We have fond memories of Jan through U of Winnipeg , volleyball, and have thought of him many times over the years. Rest in peace Jan....you will be missed - Posted by: Heather and Bob Rogers (Friends) on: Feb 27, 2016

• I wish to express my deepest condolences to Holly. I am so sorry for your loss. Jan was,in my opinion, one of the best loved of Dakota's sports heroes. I met Jan when I was eleven and my parents moved us from the North End to St. Vital. He is a lifelong friend to many besides me. Jan will be missed and remembered by all of us. xxoo - Posted by: Susan Melnick (Friend) on: Feb 26, 2016

• I wish to express my deepest condolences to Holly. I am so sorry for your loss. Jan was,in my opinion, one of the best loved of Dakota's sports heroes. I met Jan when I was eleven and my parents moved us from the North End to St. Vital. He is a lifelong friend to many besides me. Jan will be missed and remembered by all of us. xxoo - Posted by: Susan Melnick (Friend) on: Feb 26, 2016

• Jan added joy, laughter and color to whoever he was in contact with. Condolences to his wife, Holly and family. I have many fond memories of Jan.. - Posted by: Ben Szymkow (Friend) on: Feb 26, 2016

• I am so sorry to hear of Jan's passing. My condolences go out to his entire family and large network of friends. I had the privilege of meeting Jan very early in my officiating career. And I was so happy to see him after many years this past fall at the basketball Hall of Fame dinner. We had a chance to catch up and reflect on old times. I remember having so many good laughs with Jan in such a short period of time before he left Winnipeg. Rest in peace Jan. See you on the court again. - Posted by: Cam Moskal (Friend through basketball officiating) on: Feb 26, 2016

• I had just arrived in Winnipeg (from Victoria) to help my ailing mother. I glanced on the floor and saw Jan's obituary and was heartbroken. I reconnected with Jan on FB IN 2012 just after he had sold his possessions and was off to Thailand with Holly. I told him that I would love to see his posts as my husband and I want to go some day. Jan and I became friends in 1973 or '74 and lost touch a few years later. I thought about him over the years, wondering how he was doing. Over the past 3 months he popped into my mind, and then again very recently. I was planning to ask him about Thailand while staying in Winnipeg. I didn't know Jan was not well. Good bye my friend. May you rest in peace and be free of any pain and suffering. My sincere condolences to Holly and family. With deep sympathy, Karen Felske, Victoria, B.C. - Posted by: Karen Felske (Friend) on: Feb 26, 2016

• Dear Holly, Please accept our deepest sympathies. I enjoyed teaching and coaching Jan at Norberry and Dakota. He was a great athlete and a good person. Sincerely Joyce and Walter Oblinski. - Posted by: walter oblinski (teacher and coach) on: Feb 25, 2016

• Jan was my cousin and the closest thing I had to a brother. We grew up spending Sunday dinners and family celebrations together. Times out at the trailer near Kenora with Jan driving the boat were precious. Our times together in Cancun will remain in my memory. I can still see him in the pool in his little yellow hat. - Posted by: Barb Shawcross (Cousin) on: Feb 25, 2016

• Even though I barely knew Jan personally,and have had no contact with him since playing against him in high school(me Glenlawn - him Dakota), I felt a deep sadness when I heard of his passing. I immediately recalled a vivid memory of the first time I met him. It was a basketball game in the Norberry gym. It must have been Grade 8 or so. I played for Windsor, and Norberry had this phenomenal kid named Jan, with skills at a whole different level from the rest of us. I can almost see him in my minds eye sinking a jump shot. My condolences to Jan's family and his many close friends. - Posted by: David Hargrave () on: Feb 25, 2016

• If wealth was measured by how many friends a man had, Jan was a very rich man. Your recent journey defined and taught us all what grace and dignity is. Kreutz, RIP buddy - Posted by: Rick Watts (Friend for life) on: Feb 25, 2016

• My condolences to you, Holly. So sorry for your loss. I am so happy I was able to reconnect with you and Jan in Thailand. The memories from knowing him in high school as a good guy were reinforced during the days we spent in Thailand. He was courageous to the end and always so positive. He will be sadly missed. - Posted by: () on: Feb 25, 2016

• We are very saddened to hear of Jan's passing. We have many fond memories of Jan through sport in high school and university. He was a great guy. We always enjoyed his company. Our sincerest condolences to his wife, Holly and family. Linda and Gord Puttaert - Posted by: Gord and Linda Puttaert (Friend and Teammate) on: Feb 24, 2016

• Very deeply saddened by Jan passing. was a great guy who loved life, we always talked about Sports which he loved very much. My condolences goes out to his family. RIP - Posted by: Ross (Friend) on: Feb 24, 2016

• Inducted in 2006 with the Nicollet Inn basketball dynasty, Jan was the consummate team mate, always quick with a smile and a joke and loved in the basketball and volleyball communities. We'll miss your smile Jan. - Posted by: Rick Brownlee (MB Sports Hall of Fame) on: Feb 24, 2016

• So sorry to hear of Jan's passing. It's been a long time since we chatted, but I'll always remember his great sense of humour and his competitiveness. He will be missed. Deepest condolences - Posted by: Bob (Scooter) Scott (friend & teammate(Mustangs)) on: Feb 24, 2016

• We were so sorry to hear that Jan had passed away. We had so much fun when we hung out together so many years ago. We spent many nights at the Kreutzers, teen dance parties, parties at Friend's homes and just hanging out. We sometimes didn't see Jan for a period of time, but then it would seem that we would just start up where we had left off. Jan was always so positive whenever he talked about parts of his body being replaced, like his hips, and positive with his cancer fight. We are so sad that he lost this battle. He is irreplaceable and he will be missed. Take care, Ken and Doreen Johannesson - Posted by: Doreen and Ken Johannesson (Friends from teenagers) on: Feb 24, 2016

• Jan was an awesome guy. My parents knew him well and I later knew him through basketball. Proud to be a Dakota alumni. The world will be a little less bright without him. - Posted by: TL Johannesson () on: Feb 24, 2016

• Jan was a warm, wonderful friend to many, many of us. His passing has left a gaping hole in all our lives. sincere condolences Holly. - Posted by: Jackie (Melia) Godwin (friend) on: Feb 24, 2016

• Holly, I am so very sorry. Jan was a soft, kind, caring friend. He so bravely fought a good fight for months. His messages were always positive. He never gave up. Jan will be missed by many, many people. He had a strong, positive effect on so many of us. With love Wendy - Posted by: Wendy Barker (Friend) on: Feb 24, 2016

• Jan and I played volleyball together at U of W. We also worked together in the summer at City of Wpg Streets and Traffic Dept. Jan was one of a kind, a great friend and teammate. There was never a dull moment when he was around. Pranks and jokes just kept on coming. Gone too soon, I will miss him. - Posted by: Denny Booth (Friend and teammate) on: Feb 24, 2016

• Jan was the best guy ever! We love you Holly. Please take care. We are so very, very sorry. - Posted by: Jan White & Bill Mackenzie (friends) on: Feb 24, 2016