FRANK MIRECKI

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FRANK AND NELLIE MIRECKI It would have been Franko (Frank) (Dziadek) and Anielka (Nellie) (Babcia) Mirecki's 100th wedding anniversary on February 27, 2016. Frank and Nellie passed on September 5, 1957 and February 12, 1971 respectively but their legacy lives on through their children's families. It's a time now for the families to reflect a bit on who they were and what they did. Frank came to Canada from Kozlow, Austrian Empire, province of Galicia (Polish part) and Nellie arrived from Krzeszowice, Austrian Empire, province of Galicia (Polish part) and both met in Meleb, Manitoba. They, like many others in Europe, were drawn by Canada's offer to get 80 acres of prairie farmland for $5. Frank and Nellie instead ended up buying an 80.82 acre farm in Meleb from a homesteader who preferred to live in Winnipeg. They raised nine children (Felix (Jim), Peter, Benny, Stella, Helen, Frances, Jennie, Margaret, and Emily) in a 1½ storey farmhouse with two bedrooms and a cellar. Frank and Nellie looked after the daughter (Mary) of Frank's brother (Michael) for a while after Frank's sister-in-law (Anastasia) and his sister (Ksenka) died within days of each other during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918. Ksenka and Anastasia were buried together in the same plot at the Park Side Cemetery that's across from the Mirecki farm. Frank and Nellie also lost a baby daughter, Albina, at the same time. Frank participated in the community as a Secretary - Treasurer for the Park School District from 1923 to 1925. After Frank passed away, Nellie went to live with her sons and daughters. The farm wasn't worked after Frank passed away so the tractors and threshing machine were donated to the Thresherman's Museum in Austin, Manitoba. The most memorable times with Babcia were on the day and weekend trips to the old farmhouse. There were the mandatory stops in Teulon on the way to the farm for ice cream cones, snacks to get from the Meleb General Store and, on the way back to Winnipeg, a trip through Gimli or Winnipeg Beach for more ice cream. After visiting the farm Babcia was always reluctant to leave.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2016