ALBERT SIIS

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ALBERT SIIS Al passed peacefully during an afternoon nap on Wednesday, January 7 at St. Boniface Hospital. He was 93 years old. Al was predeceased by his wife Irma (April, 2014), his sisters, Agnes Dickof, Adelaide Siis and his parents, Johan and Bertha Siis. He is survived by his daughter Glenda (Jennifer Wiebe), son Brian Siis, granddaughters Samantha Shore (Tyler), Brianna Ly (Kong), Angela Siis (Jeff Bell), and Jennifer Siis, great-grandsons Tristan Shore, Evan Shore and Hunter Bell. Also survived by his sisters, Olga Gernhard in Calgary, Alice Davies in Surrey, B.C. and Linda Selch in Winnipeg and numerous nephews and nieces. Al was born in Rozhysche, Poland on October 9, 1921. He immigrated to Canada with his parents and three sisters Adeline, Alice, and Linda when he was six. They arrived in Halifax on July 12, 1928 aboard the New Amsterdam and took the train for four days arriving in Minitonas, Manitoba. There they joined his Aunt and Uncle Gust whom had immigrated a year earlier. Al spoke Polish, German and Russian but not English when he started school at seven years old. It was hard, but he loved learning. His family farmed in Minitonas for nine years before selling and buying another farm in Beausejour. He worked on the farm for many years before getting a job in Winnipeg at Co-Op Implements. He was introduced to Irma by his sister Agnes and married Irma in August 30, 1947. Al went back to school in 1958 to train in Display and Retail Meat Cutting. After graduation in 1958 he started working for Canada Safeway and retired from Safeway in 1986 after a 28 year career. In 1959 they adopted Glenda and then Brian in 1962. Al was skilled at many things. He had the talent of designing and creating a part or needed tool from metal or wood. He was a skilled carpenter and added a second floor to the house after he retired. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church for 38 years before transferring to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in 1984. Al's faith was very important to him. At St. Peter's he took part in the Youth Group, Choir, played trumpet in the band and volunteered with the Sunday school and served on the church council. During their early years together Irma and Al were sponsors for new emigrates from Europe to Canada. Helping to house and transition them to the Canadian way of doing things. Al loved cars and travelling. He drove, literally all over the United States except for Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico and a good portion of Canada. He would pack his wife and then later the kids into the car, throw the tent in the back and off we'd go. He retained his driver's license and car until the end. Family was very important to Al. Each holiday would be spent with his sisters, and their families those were special times he cherished. He was also an avid vegetable gardener and had a garden at Lindsey Gardens for many years helping to rent out and maintain them. He made good friends during this time. At age 74, three of his granddaughters came to live with them. Ages seven, nine and 11, and though at times it was stressful he also treasured it. Patience, compassion and humour were his gifts. He made many friends over the years and was known for his kindness and willingness to offer a helping hand. He will be missed by many and thought of often. In celebration of Albert's life a funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 600 Cambridge St. Pastor Rick Sauer officiating. Lunch to follow at the church, then interment at Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers Donations to St. Mark's Memorial Fund or a charity of your choice. www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715
Publish Date: Jan 12, 2015

ALBERT SIIS Al passed peacefully during an afternoon nap on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at St. Boniface Hospital. He was 93 years old. Al was predeceased by his wife Irma (April, 2014), his sisters Agnes Dickof, Adelaide Siis and his parents Johan and Bertha Siis. He is survived by his daughter Glenda (Jennifer Wiebe), son Brian Siis, granddaughters Samantha Shore (Tyler), Brianna Ly (Kong), Angela Siis (Jeff Bell) and Jennifer Siis, great-grandsons Tristan Shore, Evan Shore and Hunter Bell. Also survived by his sisters Olga Gernhard in Calgary, Alice Davies in Surry, B.C. and Linda Selch in Winnipeg; and numerous nephews and nieces. Al was born in Rozhysche, Poland, on October 9, 1921. He immigrated to Canada with his parents and three sisters Adeline, Alice and Linda when he was six. They arrived in Halifax on July 12, 1928, aboard the New Amsterdam and took the train for four days arriving in Minitonas, Manitoba. There they joined his Aunt and Uncle Gust whom had immigrated a year earlier. Al spoke Polish, German and Russian but not English when he started school at seven years old. It was hard, but he loved learning. His family farmed in Minitonas for nine years before selling and buying another farm in Beausejour. He worked on the farm for many years before getting a job in Winnipeg at Co-op Implements. He was introduced to Irma by his sister Agnes and married Irma in August 30, 1947. Al went back to school in 1958 to train in Display and Retail Meat Cutting. After graduation in 1958 he started working for Canada Safeway and retired from Safeway in 1986 after a 28 year career. In 1959 they adopted Glenda and then Brian in 1962. Al was skilled at many things. He had the talent of designing and creating a part or needed tool from metal or wood. He was a skilled carpenter and added a second floor to the house after he retired. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church for 38 years before transferring to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in 1984. Al's faith was very important to him. At St. Peter's he took part in the Youth Group, Choir, played trumpet in the band and volunteered with the Sunday school and served on the church council. During their early years together Irma and Al were sponsors for new emigrates from Europe to Canada. Helping to house and transition them to the Canadian way of doing things. Al loved cars and travelling. He drove literally all over the United States except for Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico and a good portion of Canada. He would pack his wife and then later the kids into the car, throw the tent in the back and off we'd go. He retained his driver's license and car until the end. Family was very important to Al. Each holiday would be spent with his sisters and their families, those were special times he cherished. He was also an avid vegetable gardener and had a garden at Lindsey Gardens for many years helping to rent out and maintain them. He made good friends during this time. At age 74 three of his granddaughters came to live with them. Ages seven, nine and eleven, and though at times it was stressful, he also treasured it. Patience, compassion and humour were his gifts. He made many friends over the years and was known for his kindness and willingness to offer a helping hand. He will be missed by many and thought of often. In celebration of Albert's life a funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 600 Cambridge St., Pastor Rick Sauer officiating. Lunch to follow at the church, then interment at Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Mark's Memorial Fund or a charity of your choice. www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715
Publish Date: Jan 10, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2015