EGNAS PYTEL

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EGNAS PYTEL Egnas Pytel, aged 95 of Gimli, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2003 at the Gimli Community Health Centre with his family by his side. Egnas is survived by his wife Annie, together they celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on July 1, his children, Josephine Banera (Adam), Julia Rolsky (Paul), Frances Manhard (George), Peter (Monica), Paul (Delayne), Mary Stevens (Gregory), Carol Isfeld (Jim Ross), Michael (Marsha), and Donna Wawrykow (Leslie) 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Mary Pytel; his sisters, Ann and Sophie; and an infant son Albert. Egnas was born in Zerebki, Poland on January 26, 1908 and immigrated to Canada in 1928. He held many jobs those first years riding the rails from the East coast to the West to find work during the depression before homesteading in Camp Morton. He met and married Anne Schnerch on July 1, 1944 and they spent many years on the family farm in Camp Morton where they raised nine children in the house Egnas built with his own hands soon after their marriage. Egnas would often entertain family and friends playing old favourite songs on his mandolin. He instilled his love of music in all his children. Egnas was employed at the Gimli Air Force Base as a carpenter for a time as well as farming. After retiring from farming he took up bee keeping and never stopped learning and doing new things. Learning was something he always encouraged in his children and grandchildren, to get a good education and never stop learning. Egnas and Anne moved to Gimli in 1986 where they lived in Vesturland Villa and then Waterfront Centre before Egnas moved in to Red River Place in Selkirk, then Betel Home in Gimli. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Red River Place, Selkirk and Betel Home, Gimli for their dedication and kindness to Egnas. Special thanks to the nurses at Gimli Community Health Centre and Sister Cathy Laviolette for their kindness and support, may God bless you. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Betel Home Foundation, Gimli or Gimli Community Health Centre, Box 1710, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, July 9 at St. Benedicts Church, Camp Morton at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Art Seaman officiating. Interment in the parish cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Edward Banera, Jeffery Banera, Timothy Banera, Michael Rolsky, Peter Rolsky and Allen Pytel with honorary pallbearers, Scott Pytel, Stephen Banera, Mark Stevens and Kris Stevens, all his grandsons. Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 07, 2003