OMER ARTHUR KNOCKAERT

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OMER ARTHUR KNOCKAERT On Saturday December 9, 2000, at the Lorne Memorial Hospital, Omer passed away peacefully with his wife Madelyn by his side, at the age of 79. He was a loving husband to Madelyn (nee Willemen) with whom he was looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in April. He was a loving father to Margaret (Lloyd Buydens), Charles (companion Susan), James (Helen), Lawrence (Kim), Albert (Noella) and daughter-in-law Lorraine Knockaert. He leaves a special memory with his grandchildren, Darlene (Nico), Dolores (Martin), Aaron (Tina), Shannon (Carl), and Stephanie, Andrew, Nicole and Colin, Amanda, Sheena, Shawn and Jared, Patrick, Chantal and Danica, as well as his great-grandchildren, Alex, Mackenzie, Tyler, Brooke, Kaitlyn and Donald. He also leaves to mourn his brother Marcel (Mary Ann) and sister Mariette Buydens; his mother-in-law Mrs. Johanna Willemen and his sisters-in-law, Margaret (Gaston Buydens), Mary (Alfred Wood), Martha (Paul Vercaigne) and Agnes (Lionel Jarnouin) and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents, Desire (1958) and Stephanie (1973) his father-in-law Louis Willemen; his brothers-in-law, Hubert and Marcel Buydens. Omer was born in 1921 and resided in the Bruxelles area all his life. He married Madelyn Willemen on April 10, 1951 where they farmed the home quarter. In 1977, Omer was elected councillor for the R.M. of Lorne in Ward 2. He capably served as councillor for 21 years which he fully enjoyed. Omer was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for numerous years and received the Honours of the Fourth Degree of the Knights in 1972. He served as a volunteer for the Canadian Diabetes, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Omer took great pride in the community and church, and helped out whenever needed. After his retirement, Omer took great pleasure in visiting with friends and neighbours, woodworking in his shop, reading, and touring the countryside. He had a great love of plants and flowers. Grandpa enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always had a good supply of "treats" and "loonies". Grandpa, you will always have special place in our hearts. Prayers will be held in the Bruxelles Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday December 14 at 1:30 p.m. with Father Firmin Michiels, Father Gerry Sembrano and Father Sebastian Gacki officiating. Interment to follow in the Parish Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, friends or family may send memorial donations to the Lorne Memorial Hospital, Box 40, Swan Lake, MB, R0G 2S0. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Lorne Memorial Hospital in Swan Lake for their kind and compassionate care. Adams Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2000