CORNELIUS PLENERT

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CORNELIUS PLENERT Peacefully, on Sunday, June 1, 2003, our Dad, Grandfather and Great-grandfather passed away at the Golden West Centennial Lodge at the age of 95 years. Dad was born December 1, 1907 in Wiessenfeld, Southern Russia, the youngest child of Cornelius and Katharina (Ens) Plenert. He came to Canada as a young man of 16 and settled in Herbert, SK. Here he worked as a ranch hand and also spent some time with the C.P.R. The family moved on to Hanley, SK and later to Rabbit Lake, SK. In time Dad moved to Winnipeg, finding employment as a Pattern Maker with Monarch Machinery (now Monarch Industries). 1936 brought about another change when he married our mother, Erna Martens. Sadly our mother died early, before Dad retired, however, he pursed his love of travel and during one of his trips, he met Bernice Wright - the travel hostess. They married in 1974 and spent several years travelling to interesting places. Dads love of travel was legendary - two of his favourite places being the Yukon and Tahiti. In retirement, Dad translated his skill as a pattern maker to crafting wooden candle holders, napkin rings, jewellery boxes, silver chests, bracelets and props for theatre productions. He was proud to have built the cupola for Grants Old Mill, a Winnipeg landmark. Dad is survived by daughters, Margarete and husband Vic Wieler and Connie Plenert; daughter-in-law Hilda Plenert; grandchildren, Susanne (Cameron) Barr, Nick (Heather) Wieler, Theresa (Boyd) Swain, Dana-Leigh (Larry) Medhurst, Shaun Plenert; great-grandchildren, Jillian Epp, Josie, Jared and Jenna Medhurst; sister-in-law Agatha Plenert; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Erna; second wife Bernice; son Henry and infant daughter Helene. The family would like to acknowledge his very special and faithful friends who met weekly for a "Board Meeting" at the Salisbury House, Courts of St. James. Dad always considered these meetings as his "mind therapy" as discussions were lively and interesting. Thanks to all of you - you enriched his life. Thanks also to his many Home Care workers over the years, especially Barb, Marianne and Bernie - your assistance enabled him to live independently for so long. And finally, thanks to the staff of the 5th floor at Golden West Centennial Lodge - you enhanced his life these last four months. We appreciate all of you. We love you and will miss you - Rest in Peace Dad. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 6 at First Mennonite Church, Alverstone and Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg. Viewing prior to the church service. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9. KLASSEN Funeral Chapel 1897 Henderson-North of McIvor-338-0331

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 04, 2003