RICHARD KEBERNIK

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RICHARD KEBERNIK October 13, 1919 - July 3, 2000 After a courageous battle with cancer, Richard Kebernik passed away at the Beausejour District Hospital. If it is in fact true that adversity makes us stronger, Richard not only demonstrated this in great abundance but in doing so always maintained a remarkably positive outlook in life and trust in God. His quiet, unassuming manner, unwavering devotion to his wife Adina and love for his children and grandchildren garnered the love and respect of family and friends. Born in Wolynia, Poland, Richard, the eldest son of nine children, assumed responsibility for his brothers and sisters after the death of his father at an early age. He and Adina were married on November 28, 2939 and after enduring the destruction and horrors of the Second World War and its equally horrific aftermath, Richard and Adina and two sons arrived as refugees in Westphalia, Germany in 1952, where they resided for seven years before immigrating to Canada in 1959. After living in Winnipeg for seven years where Richard was employed at the Sheffield Silver Plating Company, the family moved to the Beausejour area in 1966. Here he was once again able to pursue farming as an occupation, one in which he was actively engaged until a year ago, when his illness force him to retire. He enjoyed his life as a cattle farmer and was grateful for the opportunity it afforded him to make a meaningful and essential contribution to society as well as the ability to earn a living. He generously shared the fruits of his hard work with his children and grandchildren, whose well-being and happiness were paramount to him. No matter what the request, he was always there for his family and never without a cheery greeting and an embracing hug. Predeceased by his son Fred in 1985, Richard is lovingly remembered and survived by his loving and devoted wife of sixty years, Adina; his son Helmut and daughter-in-law Elizabeth of Beausejour and their sons, James and Owen; his daughter-in-law Ann of Terrace, BC and her two children, Amy and Leah; and his son Vern and daughter-in-law Sharon of Gimli, and their three children, Kristin, Jeannine and Katrina. He is also survived by four sisters and one brother and their families in Germany, one brother in Edmonton and his wifes relatives in Winnipeg. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the home care staff who assisted in his care prior to his recent hospitalization, the medical staff at Beausejour District Hospital for their care and a special thank-you to brother-in-law and friend Reinhard Tischer for his assistance and help. Richard was a wonderful man and it was truly and honour and a pleasure to have known him as a husband, father, grandfather and friend. May God be with him. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Russell Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 7, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 403 First St., Beausejour, MB. Interment to follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. RUSSELL FUNERAL HOMES, Beausejour, Manitoba, (204) 268-2263

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2000