GARRY GUTKNECHT

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GARRY GUTKNECHT Peacefully on August 22, 2017, at the Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern, MB, Garry passed away with his family at his side. Garry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley (Smith); his sons Ken (Roxanne) and Ron (Jennifer); grandchildren Jenn, Stephen, Skye, Nikolas, Kyle and Chantell; great-granddaughter Hailey; brother Ed (Terry), along with his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his parents Louis and Betty; brother Rudy; in-laws William and Barb Smith; and brothers-in-law Alvin, Wilf and Reg. Dad was born on January 9, 1946 in Winnipeg, MB and lived on the farm in Ashern, where he resided until his passing. In his late teens, Dad worked at the Ashern Creamery. He met Shirley Smith in 1965 and they were married on August 20, 1966. Five days later, they moved to their new home in Kitimat, BC. Dad began working with Alcan and was employed for 42 years. They were blessed with two boys; Ken in 1972 and Ron in 1975 and his four legged son, Buddy in 2003. Dad and Mom retired in June 2009 and moved back to the family farm in Ashern. Dad had many loves but none as strong as his love for tinkering with his cars, tractors, clocks and anything mechanical. If it had gears, Dad would be fixing it whether it was broken or not. It wasn't broken until Dad said it was broken. You could never find Dad in the house until winter arrived. That is when you would find Mom and Dad watching countless hours of hockey, especially when Dad's almighty Jets came back to Winnipeg. A few years ago, he got the experience of attending his first hockey game with his son Ken. A celebration of Garry's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the Camper Hall with Dawn Tober officiating. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the hall. Interment will follow in the Ashern Gospel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Raynard Monk, Terry Smith, Ken Smith, Koda Monk, William Stevens and Dennis Skoropata. We would like to thank the doctors and nurses of CancerCare in both Winnipeg and Dauphin. Also special thanks to Dr. Roets and the nursing staff at the Lakeshore General Hospital for the special care they provided to Dad. We are all so thankful for the gift Garry gave to us. He gave us time to be with him together as family before his passing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Garry's memory to the Lakeshore General Hospital, Palliative Care Unit, c/o Julie Bergner, PO Box 721, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 24, 2017