STANLEY GRETCHEN

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STANLEY GRETCHEN Peacefully, after a short illness at the Health Sciences Centre, Stanley Gretchen, aged 79 years, passed away with his family at his side. Stanley leaves to mourn and cherish his memory, his loving wife of 46 years, Mary; three children, son Robert (Alicia) of Gimli, daughter Sally Peel (Jeff) of Winnipeg, son Dennis (Lori) of Victoria, BC; eight grandchildren, Mandy, Travis, Marissa, Jeromy, Blake, April, Jonathan and Jennifer; his sister-in-law Kay Gretchen; numerous nieces and nephews and their families; and many friends. Stan was predeceased by his parents, Demko and Maria; his brothers, Joseph and Walter; a sister Pauline Suchy and brother-in-law Steve. Stan was born on February 3, 1923, and grew up on the family farm in Fraserwood with his parents, brother and sister. Life on the farm back then was difficult and alot of hard labour. In 1956, he married Mary Wyrcimaga and moved to Gimli in 1957, where he was employed as a painter at the Gimli Air Base. A year later he started his own painting business called Stans Painting and Decorating and successfully employed many people. In 1967, Stan decided to build and go into a hotel business with Eddie Chudd and Norm Greenberg. He managed the construction of the Viking Hotel which opened in May 1968. He managed the business with the help of his wife Mary until 1974, when it was sold. He then returned to his painting business. His love and pride was working outdoors, especially in the garden where he had a passion for flowers. Stanley was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Gimli. Stan and Mary were soulmates and best friends for 46 years and had travelled alot through Canada, USA, Mexico, Ukraine and Poland. The family thanks the compassionate staff at the Health Sciences Centre and Johnson Memorial Hospital and the relatives and many friends for their kindness, understanding and prayers. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 8 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Church, Gimli, with Fr. Peter Chorney officiating. Interment in the St. Basils Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jeromy and Blake Peel, Chris, Ronald and Bradley Suchy and Doug Gretchen. Honorary pallbearers will be Tony, Eddie and David Suchy, Ted Gretchen, Albert Kehler, Clarence Kowerko, John Giesbrecht and Bill Woychuk. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Sacred Heart Church, Gimli. Rest in peace dear husband and father. VICHNAYA PAMYAT Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2002