REMI JOSEPH BALLEGEER

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REMI JOSEPH BALLEGEER On Thursday, January 13, 2000, Remi Joseph Ballegeer, age 69, of Dugald, MB, passed peacefully back to God at St. Boniface Hospital. Remi was surrounded by four generations of loving family and strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church. Remi was born July 4, 1930 in the family home at Swan Lake, MB. He was the second child of a family of six born to Omer and Irma (VanDeynze) Ballegeer. He lived at Swan Lake until 1941 when the family moved to Mariapolis, MB. In 1946 the family moved to their family farm at Dugald, where Remi lived until his passing. He received his education at Lake View School, Mariapolis School, Pike Lake School and St. Alphonse Convent. Remi chose farming as his lifes career. He took great pride in his farm and tried to provide good stewardship to the land he loved. He loved to grow things, a big garden and the first ripe tomatoes were of great importance to him. Remi was always willing to try something new and developed a unique orchard of fruit trees, the bounty of which he willingly shared with many others. Remi was a founding member of St. Pius X Church at Glass, MB and Our Lady of Hope Parish at Anola, MB. He gave of his talents to help bring these two buildings to completion. He was a Charter Member of Cooks Creek Council of the Knights of Columbus and was a faithful member for over 20 years. He also served as a checker for a number of years for the Bingo at the Columbus Community Centre at Cooks Creek, MB. He took up curling and down-hill skiing in his younger years. He enjoyed Belgian Bowling as well as a good game of cards. In his early years he played his violin as part of a local dance band. Remi never married. He made his home with his parents on the family farm. He dearly loved his parents and became their caregiver in their declining years. This was a privilege for him. Remi had a special relationship with his brothers. He was always a team player willing to help any of them, as they did for him, when a need arose. He accepted with good humour the gentle teasing of his sisters-in-law. Although Remi never had children of his own, he became a very special uncle to all his nieces and nephews and their families. He took great pride in each one of them. Remi had two God-children, Marilyn Van Dorp and Darwin Ballegeer. Family was very important to him. He always tried to be a good neighbour to those in his church and community. Remi was predeceased by his beloved mother Irma (June 26, 1999) his sister Annette (died January 24, 1990) and baby sister Lorette (died March 17, 1941). Remi will be lovingly remembered by his dear father Omer; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Lorne and Audrey, Arsene and Dorothy, Leon and Lesley. Also his 16 nieces and nephews, Joanne (Doug), Marilyn (Henry), David (Sharon), Richard (Shirley), Debbie (Ken), Kathy (Edwin), Jim, Gerald (Marie), Karen (Grant), Shelley (Ken), Brenda (Roger), Janice (Ron), Sharron (Dave), Darren, Darwin and Lisa. There are 24 great-nieces and nephews, Glenn, Faye, Brian, Leigh, Michael, Amanda, Keith (Tanya), Amie, Chris, Neil, Alan, Mark, Chris, Jason, Carl, Carla, Bradly, Joel, Dale, Brittany, Brady, Samantha, Jonathan and Scott. There are also aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss him. The family wish to thank the wonderful team of medical professionals who did all they could for Remi. His nurses who were always there and especially Adina Toews. We gratefully acknowledge that special effort. The family were so very blessed to have such a compassionate and supportive Pastoral Care Team. We especially thank Fr. Lanoie and Sister Madeline for their care of Remi and being so understanding of our needs. May God bless you for that. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 17 at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, Anola, MB, with viewing at 9:30 a.m., Rev. Fr. Owen Steeves will be presiding. Remi loved, was loved and will be sorely missed. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course. 2 Timothy I am at Peace GREEN ACRES FUNERAL CHAPEL 222-3241 01-15-2000

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 15, 2000