ALBERT GURKE

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ALBERT GURKE Albert Gurke of Portage la Prairie passed away peacefully at Lions Prairie Manor April 23, 2003 at the age of 80 years. He will be sadly missed by his family, wife Ruth, son Allan (Linda) of Red Deer, AB, and daughter Maureen (Merv) Bauming of Winnipeg, grandchildren, Leanne (Andy) Williams, Stacey Schneuf, Shawna Gurke (all of Red Deer), Jillian Bauming (Toronto) and Darrin Bauming (Winnipeg) great-grandchildren, Lindsay, Teagan, Cara, Janelle and Mariah (all of Red Deer). Also his siblings, Bertha Forrest and Doris (Dick) Britton (California), Margaret MacDonald and George (Janet) (Portage), Irene Porter (Winnipeg) and Art (Margaret) (Edmonton). He was predeceased by his brothers, Wilhelm and Edward; and sister Cecilia. Albert was born in Emerson, MB on August 17, 1922 to August and Matilda. As a child he lived in several Manitoba communities, as his family was transferred with the CPR. Albert served his country in the Second World War from 1941 to 1945 in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Corps Signal Division. Returning from Europe, he soon married Ruth Metruk and they resided in Portage La Prairie. Albert worked at various jobs until he became employed for Campbell Soup Co. Ltd., where he retired in 1980 after 23 years. Albert was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 65 and instructor with the signals division at 13th Field Battery Armoury for many years. Albert loved the outdoors, wildlife and nature, and was a founding member of Grand Haven Lodge (Hartney, MB). He also enjoyed woodworking, hunting and gardening until he suffered from several strokes. The family wishes to express their gratitude to all the Lions Prairie Manor staff for their compassionate care and support for the three years while Albert was a resident. A service of celebration for Alberts life will be held on Saturday, April 26 in the Chapel of the Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Rd. S., Portage la Prairie at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. John Blum (Redeemer Lutheran Church) officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home for visitation on Friday evening, April 25 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made in Alberts memory to Lions Prairie Manor Foundation Inc. (24-9th St. S.E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3V4). Omega Funeral Home are in care of the arrangements. Friends may leave a message and sign the register at our website www.omegafuneralhome.com "Where life stories live on".

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 24, 2003