WALTER CHARLES KONKIN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WALTER CHARLES KONKIN "The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other." - Orison Marden On January 3, 2000 Walter Charles Konkin passed away quietly among family. He will be missed greatly by Anne, his wife of 52 years; his mother Luba; his sisters, Annette, Val and Nadya and his children, Alexis, Wanda, Toivi and Greg and their spouses and children. Walter was born on July 8, 1925 on the family homestead north of Veregin, Sask. His father Kuzma Konkin was born in the Doukhobor village of Slavianka, Azerbaidzhan, in 1893 and his mother Luba Podovinnikoff was born in a Doukhobor village north of Veregin, Sask. in 1905. Walters childhood was spent on schooling, farm work and riding his beloved horse Beauty. After leaving home at the age of 17, he found work in Winnipeg and then at a lumber camp in White River, Ont. where he met a young Anne Mustajarve. They fell in love and married in 1947. Walter spent several years farming and driving transport trucks. Their daughter Alexis was born in 1947 and Wanda in 1949, both in Kamsack and Toivi in 1955 in Winnipeg. In 1966, Greg was adopted by the family. In 1962 the family made a permanent move to the Oakbank area. After several years in different sales jobs, Walter became General Manager for Midas. There he won the respect and affection of his staff through his positive thinking, fairness and competitive spirit. Many of those he worked with through the years became friends. Upon retiring in 1990, Walter and Anne travelled often to Kamsack to visit family, went on fishing trips and enjoyed their home near Oakbank. They especially loved their trips to 80 acres of treed property near Beausejour lovingly referred to as the "land". Walter was a fisherman and an outdoorsman who loved and respected nature and passed that love on to his children and grandchildren. The "land" was his true home. We will all remember glorious fall days at Walters "land", the family picnics there, the celebration of many of his birthdays, cutting and splitting firewood with him or just sitting around a fire telling stories. His daughters, Alexis, Wanda and Toivi will remember him for his humour, his advice in all matters and his unflagging devotion to keeping the family close and together. This was something Walter worked very hard at. To Anne who shared those many years with Walter, she will deeply miss a fishing partner and someone who shared season after season fixing up their cottage and preparing firewood for the next winter - firewood that was shared with the rest of the family. Everytime we use that firewood we will remember his energy and spirit. Though not famous or wealthy, Walter in his own way was a great man. Despite a very difficult time growing up in the 1930s, he made his way through life on his own terms, raised a loving and successful family and earned the friendship and trust of all those who he came in contact with. He has left a remarkable and indelible impression on several generations of his family. We will not forget his energy, his love of life, his competitive spirit and his appreciation for the outdoors that he loved so much. Family and friends will be gathering to celebrate Walters life on Sunday, January 9 at the Canad Inns in Transcona at 826 Regent West between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Friends and guests are welcome to drop in and raise a glass to Walter Konkin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society or a conservation charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2000