JOSEPH WINNEMULLER

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JOSEPH WINNEMULLER It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Joseph Winnemuller, of Selkirk, on December 19, 2002, at the age of 91 years. He leaves to mourn his seven children, Herman (Roberta), Peter (Hildur), Harry (Karen), Rick (Sally), Corry (George) Van Aert, Elly (Bob) Garrett and Joyce (Stan) Surowich; 18 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Alida in 1993 and his brothers and sister. He was born in 1911, the youngest of nine children and was raised in the Netherlands. He became a psychiatric nurse and in 1938 married Alida in Noordwykerhout, Netherlands, later living in Indonesia for 10 years. During the Second World War he was a prisoner of war for three and one-half years in Japan and Thailand and had worked on the River Kwai railway. Following the war they moved back to the Netherlands, where he became a Registered Nurse. In 1953 they moved and settled in Selkirk where he worked for 23 years at SMHC, retiring in 1976. Joseph and Alida raised seven children, and he also worked for farmers, cutting trees, built houses, garages, fences and driveways, all to help make ends meet. He would always offer help and assistance to his children. Following retirement he and Alida enjoyed many years of traveling abroad, gardening and watching their family grow. He kept busy making plaster statues, canvessing for the Red Cross and writing his war memories and life in Indonesia in book form. Joseph was a devout Catholic and had a strong faith. He loved nature of all kinds and especially loved his dogs. Joseph always had a captive audience when storytelling. Much of his enjoyment in life was gone following the death of Alida. Since 1997 he has lived at the Betel Home in Selkirk, and the family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff for their kindness and care given to our Papa and Opa. Prayers will be said on Sunday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, Selkirk, with Fr. Boguslaw Wardzinski officiating. Interment to follow in the Parish Cemetery. Josephs pallbearers will be his grandsons, James, Michael, Joseph and Stephen Winnemuller, Joe Van Aert and Mark Surowich. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross Society, P.O. Box 2441 Stn. Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9, or to the charity of ones choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 21, 2002