LOUIS PLANTJE

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LOUIS PLANTJE September 3, 1921 Peacefully, on March 22, 2001 Louis passed away at 79 years of age. Louis was born and raised in St. Vital. Youngest son of Dutch immigrants, Johannes and Barbara, Louis had a long and varied career. As a young man he was a newspaper carrier, progressing to delivery truck driver with the Winnipeg Free Press. This connection took him on to Brockville, Ont. where he worked as a chauffeur with the Victor Sifton family. It was during his time with the Siftons that Lou met his love and future wife Helen Curtis of Ottawa. They were married in Winnipeg in June, 1942. Dad served four years with the Canadian Armed Services during the Second World War. After the war Lou worked in a variety of jobs. He was a firefighter with the St. Vital Fire Department for 14 years where he became interested in and involved with labour relations. In 1961 Lou joined the provincial Department of Labour as Assistant Fire Commissioner. He was appointed conciliation officer in 1962, chief conciliation officer in 1965, director of Industrial Relations in 1969 and assistant deputy Minister in 1979. In 1981 Louis retired from Government as Deputy Minister of Labour and ManPower. Health and physical fitness played a large role in Louis life from a very young man until his death. His love of nature and the outdoors were exemplified in his interest in sports such as golf where he enjoyed the wildlife and vegetation around him as much as the game itself. Gardening, a family legacy, was Lous favourite hobby. Sunday dinners wouldnt have been complete without Grandpas harvest of tomatoes, green peppers, and cucumbers. Curling was also a relaxing pastime for Lou and as President, Life Member and building chair, he worked tirelessly to bring about the building of a new St. Vital Curling Club. After heart bi-pass surgery in 1977, Lou became a founding member of the Kinsmen Reh-Fit Centre. Lous daily jogs were familiar to all his friends and family and again provided the opportunity for him to commune with nature and visit with friends on his regular outings. Honesty, integrity, equality and love of fellow man describe Dads approach to all aspects of life - home, community and work. A true gentleman, his ready smile and sense of humour will be remembered by all who knew him. Louis was predeceased by mother Bertha; father Johannes; wife of 43 years Helen (nee Curtis) and brother Harry. He will be sadly missed by his son John (Penny) grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jill; daughter Lynda (Jay) McCullough, grandchildren, Karen and Robbie; brother Bill (Eva) sisters, Bert (Bertha) ONeil and Jo (Johanna), and his many nieces, nephews and friends. Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. in Green Acres Funeral Chapel, Hwy. #1 East at Green Acres Lane, with Rev. Ted Nimik officiating. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made in Louis memory to the Kinsmen Reh-Fit Centre, 1390 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, MB,R3M 3V8. The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to the Doctors, Nurses and Support Staff at St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Unit. GREEN ACRES FUNERAL CHAPEL 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 24, 2001