ALLAN BRANDT LOEWEN

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ALLAN BRANDT LOEWEN September 18, 1948 - March 7, 2005 (husband to Paulette Lavack) Husband, father, grandfather, stepdad, mentor, best friend, avid outdoorsman, at-heart farm boy, mensch. Allan died at Riverview Health Centre on March 7, 2005 after a 31 month battle with cancer. Al was a fighter, a true come-back kid' determined to beat the grim odds of his grim disease. The family is grateful to the enormously kind, competent and respectful staff of Riverview Health Centre who tended to all of Allan's end-of-life needs and who were so considerate of and compassionate to Al's family members and friends. The family also thanks the dedicated staff of CancerCare Manitoba. Allan was an amazing individual. In healthier days, Al was always on the go, walking, golfing, playing tennis, skiing, cycling, rollerblading. He loved it all! Allan loved it all and he was loved by all. People of all faiths prayed for him. His name was included in a prayer to the sick every Saturday at Congregation Etz Chayim. The Grey Nuns came to his assistance, too and numerous prayer chains in North America rooted for his renewed health. Al was a truly ecumenical and inter-faith man! Traditional in many ways, yes, but also open to other ideas and perspectives. He believed in alternative healing, acupuncture and healing touch. Allan was born in Morris, MB to Peter and Elizabeth, and grew up on the family farm in McTavish. He was the youngest of six children. From his brothers, Bill, Leonard and Lorne, Al learned all about outdoor farm work. Under the tutelage of his sisters, Linda and Gladys, he learned all about indoor house work. Indoors or out, there wasn't one chore that Al didn't put his hand to. When Polly married Allan, she didn't realize what a helpmate Allan would turn out to be. Household chores were speedily and happily shared. Allan tackled whatever needed to be done and he did everything well. Though the kitchen was Polly's domain, Al was always right at her side as her sous-chef. He chopped the veggies, swept the floor, washed the dishes, anything and everything that would make Polly's job easier and faster. To Allan a chore was never a chore when they worked together. Al excelled in his own right, though! He was famous for his granola and homemade bread. Al was an artiste'. He had a discerning eye and a gift for selecting the just right' purchase. Whether it was choosing an objet d'art for their home, putting together a spiffy outfit for himself or shopping for furniture, Al just knew how to put it all together with class. Allan was employed in the trucking industry for over 25 years and had many awards for safe driving. Most of those years were spent as a long-distance transport driver and driving instructor with Reimer Express. He later became Manager of Southways Driving School. Allan was always a conscientious employee and gifted instructor. Al's students were from all walks of life. Regardless of their background, Allan treated each and every student with the utmost respect. Al went the extra mile to assure his students' success. Many's the time he would personally pick up and drive a student to the driving school if transportation was problematic. When test day came around, Al was even known to provide suitable attire to a less privileged student (from his own wardrobe!) so that the student might present a favourable first impression to the evaluator. Always, Allan provided efficient and thorough training. His pass' record was impressive. Allan was thrilled beyond measure when his beautiful daughters made him a grandfather. He doted on his little ones, but regretted that his disease limited active interplay with them. Al's family and extended family mourn his passing. Allan leaves Polly, his wife of almost 13 years and her children, David and Rebecca; daughters, Shannon (Curt), Tracy (Erl) and their mother Irene; granddaughters, Taylor, Chaya and Torrie; sons, Gerry and Cory and their mother Connie; brothers, Bill (Vi), Len, Lorne (Lillian); sister Linda (Abe); and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Art and Marilyn. Special thanks go to friends Aneita, Kristin and Shawn for helping Allan in so many ways. More thanks to Polly's sister Claudette for quality care. Flowers are gratefully declined. Charitable donations may be made in Allan's name to Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3 or to The Trans Canada Trail Foundation, 43 Westminster North, Montreal, QC H4X 1Y8. A memorial service will be held for Allan at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 at the Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave. (close to the Airport).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 09, 2005