HEATHER BUNKOWSKY

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HEATHER BUNKOWSKY

Superstar

Heather’s story starts in 1944 as a springtime baby born to her parents Elsie and Willie Steinke, just 13 months after her sister, Cynthia. She described a wonderful childhood with many mischievous adventures on the farm with Cynth, cousins, animals and the natural environment serving as their playground.

She learned resilience early, losing her beloved father and best friend when she was only 13. This trauma affected her deeply, but working through pain and adversity would become a strength she would rely upon. Her mother bravely decided to continue farming and these three young and determined women were forerunners, working hands-on in 1950s agriculture.

She always loved the farm and after marrying the neighbour, Bobby, at the age of 19, they started their own farming partnership together, on their own steam and ideals, only a few miles from the homestead she grew up on. They loved deeply and were good friends. They made every decision together and worked hard to diversify their income through both crops and livestock. They relied on each other and there were times when Heather would have to keep the farm on track, always first to rub her knees and declare, “It’s time to get going” and hit the field. There was no equipment she could not operate or task she would leave to men. When she became frustrated by her inability to fix their machinery, she took a welding course. When they purchased a semi to haul grain, she obtained her Class 1 licence.

In her spare time, Heather gave birth to six children – five girls and then, always one to try new things, she had a boy. She was a working mom, and when she could not do it all, she had help from other women in the community who worked with her to maintain the household, which led to lifelong friendships and support. She was the most excellent of moms and her parenting style was focused on instilling values, responsibility, hard work, fun, and love. The approach with her grandchildren was to leave the tougher parts to their parents and enjoy the fun and adventure of card games at the LBL clubhouse, quad rides, and lighting stuff on fire. In both generations of children, she nurtured potential, learning, connection, and support for their diversity of interests and choices.

Her church and community work in Brunkild and Rosenort was a high priority and Heather served on the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church council for many years, attended Bible studies, and taught Sunday School. She loved and cared about each one of those kids. Her creative love languages were baking and flowers which would routinely be dropped off at doctors’ offices, staff rooms, local businesses, or to many a friend who might enjoy them. Her exceptional cooking skills supported too many fundraising events to mention, and she loved these opportunities to connect with others and help.

Music was always at the heart of her family. As an adult, she learned to play the drums, replacing Dad behind the kit and carrying the beat for the Family Spectrum band on stage and off. She and the band recorded three albums together and toured across Canada and beyond. As she grew older, she learned to run the soundboard for the Legacy band. Her inhibitions to sing fell away as she aged, and music became an important and unfailing tether to her past. She also loved dancing (especially upon tables when coaxed).

Heather’s character is what she will be remembered for. As a child, she liked to be a ham, and she told silly jokes until her final days. She would partake in hilarious pranks at Halloween and brought life to the party along with the pie. She lived her faith in God and in the teachings of the Gospels which were the foundation for her kindness, forgiveness, generosity, gratitude, and unreserved love for people from every walk of life and corner of the globe. This is her legacy.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a community to support a person with Alzheimer’s disease and the people who love them. The last chapter of Heather’s life cannot be told without acknowledging the commitment of care and love that she received from others in her later years. The staff at Comforts of Home Care and The Courtyards at Linden Pointe helped Heather reluctantly transition to a less independent lifestyle. The staff at Riverview Centre for Excellence in Alzheimer’s provided the highly skilled and compassionate personal carers who saw and respected Heather for who she was and enabled her dignity, security, and humanity in her final years. Thank you for your service to her and willingness to carry her through her most challenging of assignments without ever forgetting to see and appreciate her.

Heather was predeceased by her husband Robert (Bobby) and sister Cynthia and is survived by her children Angela (Russ), Lisa (Tom), Heidi (Kal), Lorelei (Brian), Shannon (Ryan), and William; her grandchildren Graham (Kristine), Brent (Kristene), Steve (Melody), Brandon (Cleo), Tristan, Rhiannon (Logan), Teagan; her great-grandchildren Walker, Jocelyn, Arland, Beau, and Houston; and her very special nieces and nephews, cousins, and adopted family far and wide.

A private family burial has taken place at Lea Bank Cemetery, and a celebration of Heather’s life will take place on Sunday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brunkild, Manitoba. A reception at the Brunkild Hall will follow immediately and the family hopes that all can join for food, fellowship, and storytelling. The service portion will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, with much gratitude.

Doyle’s Funeral Home

in care of arrangements.

www.doylesfuneralhome.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 24, 2026