JOHN WALDNER

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JOHN WALDNER "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born and a time to die." Having faced a variety of challenging illnesses over the past eight years with strength, determination, humour and perhaps most importantly his faith, John Waldner, aged 61 years, passed away peacefully and with dignity at Seven Regions Health Centre on July 11, 2003, with his family at his side. John was born February 4, 1942 at Elie, MB. He moved to Riverdale Colony with his parents, Annie and Zacharias Waldner, at the age of two. John left the colony at the age of 16 and worked for farmers, the Gladstone Garage, G & W Construction and the Town of Gladstone. He married Cheryl Willis and together they raised two daughters, Stacey and Amy. John was very proud of them and his grandson Carsen. John enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and spending time with his dog Max, who was a very faithful companion. When his health deteriorated, he received pleasure from listening to music, news and visiting with family and friends. He looked forward to his daily visits from his neighbour, Don Riches. John was predeceased by his parents, Zacharias and Annie Waldner; brothers, David and Martin; mother-in-law Marian Willis and brother-in-law Rene Van Der Vennett. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Cheryl; daughter Stacey Waldner and grandson Carsen Tran of Winnipeg and daughter Amy Waldner of Gladstone. John is also survived by his sister Ann Waldner of Holmfield, Asnath (Jake) Mendel of Newton Siding; brothers, Eddie (Susan) of Gladstone, Mike (Christie), Solomon (Linda), Joe (Anita) and Harold of Holmfield; father-in-law Foch Willis; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sheila and Wayne Olson, Sharron and Bill Pertson, Joe and Caroline Willis, and Charlene and David Dittmer; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral service will be held at Gladstone United Church on Friday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. George Cargo officiating. Interment will follow at the Gladstone Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eugene Waldner, David Hofer, Dwight Ferguson, Garry Cibula, Con Gardiner and Dean Gal. Honourary pallbearers will be Eva Berman-Wong, Liz Ferguson, Don Riches, Richard Enns, Lawrence Olson, Jim Ferguson and Bob Humes. Ushers are Vincent Hooper and Ross Hunter. Soloists, Marland Stewart will sing "In The Garden" and Debbie S. Bjarnarson will sing "Wind Beneath My Wings". We would like to extend a very sincere thank-you to the nurses and physicians at Seven Regions Health Centre and St. Boniface Hospital for the care provided to John during his many hospital admissions and to the home care workers from Seven Regions. A very special thank-you to Barry Troop and Stacey Turner from Lab and X-ray who definitely went the extra mile to provide services. Thanks also to the staff at the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit and Out Patient Pharmacy at St. Boniface Hospital. We will be forever grateful to Dr. Eva Berman-Wong and Dr. Asad Junaid for the high quality care and ongoing support provided over the years. The ongoing support from both Johns family and my family has been greatly appreciated. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Northwest Handi Transit Inc., P.O. Box 757, Gladstone, MB R0J 0T0 or to the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit, St. Boniface Hospital, 409 Tache Ave., St. Boniface, MB R2H 2A6. His weary hours and days of pain His troubled nights are past And in our aching hearts We know he has found Eternal peace at last. We love you John Clarkes Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 10, 2003