BERT SMOLUK

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BERT SMOLUK August 7, 1923 - April 11, 2005 With sadness and gratitude, we announce that our brother, uncle and friend, Bert Smoluk, has gone back home to be with our Lord. He leaves to pray for him, his sisters, Josie Wasyluk (Nick), Helen Slobodian, Olive Feeny (John); sister-in-law Jeanette Smoluk; nieces and nephews, Steffie (Milton), Marion, Bobby (Shirley), Lorraine (Jim), Betty-Ann (Sean), Valerie, Ed (Diane), Gordon (Velamie), Roseanne (Ray), Bradley (Sherene), Gwen (Darryl), Carla (Dave), Janice (Ed); and many other close relatives and friends. Bert is reunited with his mother Caroline; father Stanley; stepmother Sophie; brothers, Tony, Frank, and Bill; brothers-in-law, Mike Nowodile and Mike Slobodian and sister Mary. Bert, a farmer and woodcutter by trade, lived his whole life at the family homestead at Stead, MB. He worked the land laboriously, and was always grateful for what the Good Lord provided. He enjoyed picking blueberries, loved to read, looked forward to seeing visitors at the farm and he especially loved music. He was a kind and gentle soul to many; his boyish smile his trademark, his humbleness his legacy. A pillar of the church and community, Bert generously maintained the grounds, prepared the church for services and looked after his fellow neighbours. A man of few material needs, Bert's life mission to always show others kindness and care regardless of circumstance was obvious. His relationship with God never wavered and he fulfilled the Good Lord's work with simple perfection. It is with heartfelt thanks, the family wishes to acknowledge Dr. Patricia Harris and the oncology staff at Concordia Hospital as well as the Palliative staff at St. Boniface Hospital. Prayers will be offered on Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sobering Funeral Chapel, Beausejour. Funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Stead, MB with Rev. Fr. James Gray presiding. Interment will follow in the Gull Lake Roman Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bert's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (Manitoba Division), 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9 or to a charity of one's choice. God gives us many special gifts, some uniquely enduring. Thank you God for the gift of Bert, who, for everyday of his life showed us how to live a life of love and peace. Vichnaya Pam'yat SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB toll free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 14, 2005