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JOE KOCHAN
It is with heavy hearts and cherished memories, we announce the passing of Joe "Uncle Joe" Kochan, 94 years old, who passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, at Gimli Johnson Memorial Hospital.
Joe was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Della, and together they built a home filled with warmth, generosity, and hospitality in Poplarfield, Manitoba. Their door was always open to family, friends, and visitors from near and far could always count on finding a welcoming place to have a cup of coffee and a bite to eat.
Joe is lovingly remembered by his wife, Della; his sister, Helen; his brother, Eddy; and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, John and Pauline Defir, and by his brothers and sisters: Mary, Pearl, Anne, Nick, Kay, Alex, Bill, and Elizabeth.
Joe loved to be with people - a social butterfly. He loved to laugh. For many years, when extended family lived nearby, Joe and Della's home was a gathering place where loved ones came together. Dressed in their Sunday best, family members would gather to share meals, stories, laughter, and the joy of being together. Joe especially enjoyed lively conversations, reminiscing about the old days. Though we may not have realized it at the time, those moments were building memories that would become some of our most treasured today.
Known for his practical wisdom and strong belief in hard work, Joe's advice was often simple and memorable: "Buy land." It was a reflection of the values he lived by throughout his life.
Joe's kindness, generosity, and dedication to family will be remembered by all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the stories shared around family tables, the values he instilled, and the countless memories he leaves behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Joe's memory to a charity meaningful to you.
A service will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Arborg Ukrainian Catholic Church on 332 Ardal Street in Arborg, Manitoba.
Publish Date: Oct 3, 2026
JOE KOCHAN
It is with heavy hearts and cherished memories that we announce the passing of Joe “Uncle Joe” Kochan who passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026 at Gimli Memorial Hospital. Joe was 94 years old.
Longer obituary to follow in Saturday’s paper.
Publish Date: Sep 29, 2026
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 29, 2026, Oct 03, 2026
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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My uncle Joe is brother to my mother Elizabeth. He and my uncle Bill helped raise me and bring me up. I love you very much and am quite upset to learn this not in the proper way. I want everyone to know how dedicated and loyal my uncle Joe was, how much you honoured your mother, father and family. Spent a lifetime farming. Hard work, morning noon and night and whenever duty calls, very labouring and exhausting job and no one to help you. Also with a hand injury as a small child, and did the work of so many by yourself. The farm was taken care of beautifully and very well. Joe farmed for his parents instead of fulfilling his own dreams and wants; he was a very good man. I remember waking up for breakfast sitting with Della in the kitchen and uncle Joe had been gone for hours in the fields before 6 am and back by the time I got up. I am so proud of you uncle Joe. Thank you for teaching me what real men are, and what they aren't. Thank you for teaching me about family and loyalty. You had a lot of wisdom, were usually right about everything,(especially with advice for me) had a very witty and funny personality. I wish that time would stop. I could go back in time when you were home and everyone was there. I always tell everyone how you spoiled me, got me my first cabbage patch doll when every one was going crazy in the 80's, bought me designer jeans because I wanted to be stylish, took me out to dinner and took me places to go shop. You took good care of me and you made good choices. You found an amazing wife and she was another good choice. You also gave me good advice. There are no more people like you. There never will be again. I love you with all my heart. lovelovelovelove you. I know you are reunited with everyone in heaven. I know you are laughing with Mom and all the family in Heaven, This gives me comfort. I was the luckiest girl in the world to have you and the family. I know that. Love you always and forever Shannon Lyn - Posted by: Shannon Kochan McKenzie (Uncle) on: Oct 12, 2026
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My Uncle Joe is brother to My mother Elizabeth, He and my uncle Bill helped raise me and bring me up. I love you very much and am quite upset to learn this not in the proper way. I want everyone to know how dedicated and loyal you were, how much you honoured your mother, father and family. Taking over the farm for your father, and forgoing your own dreams for your parents.Spent a lifetime farming. Hard work, morning noon and night and whenever duty calls, very labouring and exhausting job and no one to help you. Aunty Della was such a good choice for a wife Also with a hand injury as a small child, and did the work of so many by yourself.The farm was taken care of beautifully and very well. I remember waking up for breakfast and you'd have been gone for hours in the fields before 6 am and back by the time I got up. I am so proud of you uncle Joe. Thank you for teaching me what real men are, and what they aren't. Thank you for teaching me about family and loyalty. You had a lot of wisdom, were usually right about everything, had a very witty and funny personality and I wish that time would stop and I could go back in time when you were home and everyone was there. I always tell everyone how you spoiled me, got me my first cabbage patch doll when every one was going crazy in the 80's, bought me designer jeans because I wanted to be stylish, took me out to dinner and took me places to go shop. You took good care of me and you made good choices. You found an amazing wife and she was an amazing choice, you also gave me good advice. There are no more people like you. I love you with all my heart. lovelovelovelove you. I know you are reunited with everyone in heaven. I know you are laughing with Mom and all the family in Heaven, This gives me comfort. I was the luckiest girl in the world to have you and the family. I know that. Love you always and forever Shannon - Posted by: Shannon Kochan McKenzie (Uncle) on: Oct 11, 2026
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Our condolences to Della and her family and Joe’s Family!!! from Ivan and his sister Lenore!! - Posted by: Ivan johnson (Friend) on: Oct 08, 2026
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I remember Joe and Della coming shopping to the Arborg, Co-op and they would sit and have coffee with the crew that usually came for a morning coffee. Joe was a very friendly man and I really enjoyed talking to him. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word. He was a well spoken man and his stories well be missed by the many people who had contact with him. My condolences to all the family. - Posted by: Charlotte Ann Janower (Friend) on: Oct 03, 2026
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Dear Della it is with great sadness that I heard of Uncle Joes passing, not having come out there to visit for all these years when I spent so many of my young years enjoying the summers there. Please accept our deepest Condolences from my wife Sally and myself with affection from Jim and Sally Skura. - Posted by: Jim skura (Nephew) on: Oct 02, 2026