AUGUST BENJAMIN (BENNY) GLEICH

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AUGUST BENJAMIN (BENNY) GLEICH On November 16, 2002 at the Seven Oaks Hospital, Benny Gleich, aged 60 years, of Eriksdale, MB. Ben was born on March 16, 1942 in Roblin, MB, the son of August and Rhea Gleich, the second son, one of nine children. The Gleich family moved to the Eriksdale area in 1947. After completing his education at the Eriksdale School he joined the construction field with his father Gus and his brother Bud (John). In 1963 Ben married Connie Seymour and together they had two sons, David Matthew in 1964 and Benjamin James in 1966. In 1965 Ben and Connie bought 10 acres of land and the homestead is still there today. Ben worked on heavy construction for many years while increasing the amount of land and cattle. Bens favourite time of year was calving the cows and then watching them running and kicking up their heels on a sunny spring day. Ben was a director for 15 years for the Lundar Bull Sale. He enjoyed the meetings and missed only one meeting because a cow was calving and he didnt want to leave her until the calf was born and up nursing. The weekend of the Bull Sale was the highlight of the year for Ben. In his spare time Ben loved to ice fish. He would be phoning Robert Blue on a regular basis discussing the thickness of the ice, the condition of Bobs fishing shack and his ski-doo. Hunting season was a great time for Ben. Ben, Bob Chetyrbok and Robert Blue would be scouting for two weeks before the season opened. In the summer Ben would be up early in the morning so he could sneak in a round of golf while waiting for the dew to dry so he could start haying. Ben really enjoyed his visits to the coffee shops. He always came home laughing about some joke that had happened, that was at least twice a day. Ben worked tirelessly at building up his herd of Hereford cattle. The past three years he had an opportunity to accompany Joe Palsson and Ken Erickson to the Hereford cattle sales in Saskatchewan. He looked forward to this event as he classified it as his holiday. He talked to all the cattle breeders that had become his friends in the past few years. Ben was a firm believer in his purchases and over time it has been proven that his decisions have paid off. Ben loved his family and visiting his friends. The grandchildren were the light of his life. He would stop to talk to them and tease them a little, then enjoy a Werthers candy bar together. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Connie; two sons, David (Nicole) of Eriksdale, and Jim (Jacalyn) of Eriksdale; his mother Rhea of Gimli; six grandsons, Matthew, Ryan, Brody, Devon, Brock, and Drake; three sisters, Carol, Jo-Anne (Ian) Bouler and Barb (Dave) McNeil; five brothers, Bud (Bertha), Bob (Judy), Jim (Ellen), Carl (Rosanne), and Chris (Connie) also many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his father August. Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Eriksdale Recreational Centre, with Rev. Melanie Kauppila officiating. Interment to follow in the Lily Bay Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Steini Palsson, Bud (John) Gleich, Bob Gleich, Jim Gleich, Doc (Carl) Gleich, and Chris Gleich. Active pallbearers will be Bob Chetyrbok, Jack Pool, Randy Surgenor, Ken Erickson, Arne Lindell and Marvin Thorgilsson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eriksdale Hospital Guild or to a charity of ones choice. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME LTD ASHERN-LUNDAR 204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 21, 2002