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KENNETH (KEN) WONKO
Born: Jul 13, 1951
Date of Passing: Nov 16, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryKENNETH (KEN) WONKO
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Kenneth “Ken” Wonko, a beloved husband, father, brother, and Gramps. Ken left us peacefully on November 16, 2025, at the age of 74, after unknowingly battling cancer for some time. Even though we only had two short weeks between his diagnosis and his passing, Ken filled those days with what mattered most to him—family, laughter, and a final steak dinner with all of his cherished grandchildren.
Ken will be forever missed by his loving wife of 53 years, Margaret; his children, Matt Wonko (Lindsay), Amber Myskiw (Jarett) and Candice Harmon (Jeff); and his seven grandchildren, Lukas, Olivia, Violet, Ella, William, Everleigh and Mabel. He will also be remembered by his sister, Karen Reynolds; brother-in-law, Bill Franz (Pearl), sisters-in-law, Ingrid Pawlosky (Rick) and Monika Franz-Lien (Jeff) and his nephews, nieces and friends. Ken was predeceased by his parents, Ernie and Dora Wonko; his parents-in-law, Johann and Ella Franz; and his brother-in-law, Bob Reynolds.
The family has so many fond memories such as annual ski trips to Banff, camping and canoe trips, golfing, boating and fishing at the family cottage in Pinawa Bay. Ken was the first one to make a joke (often an inappropriate one!) and he never hesitated to lend out his tools or help his kids with a project. He loved to sit back and relax with a drink or two, snuggle with a grandchild or, like his father, command the barbecue to feed an unruly and hungry crowd...even if the chaotic family gatherings were a lot to handle! Gramps loved his family and was so proud of all of us. He kept up his romantic side with Marg too - buying her flowers on all the important occasions and making time for date nights, day trips to local Manitoba towns, tropical vacations, road trips, and weekend getaways together.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and allied health teams at Health Sciences Centre, CancerCare, Grace Hospital and Palliative Care. Gramps knew he was surrounded by love right until the very end. Ken/Dad/Gramps, go rest high on that mountain. You will be missed more than you know!
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.
The service will be livestreamed at www.hdezwebcast.com/show/kenneth-wonko
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to CancerCare Manitoba or the Grace Hospital Foundation. Ken would also love it if you honoured his memory with some family time, a drink or even a nap!
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2025
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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Great fellow and sadly missed. There we were in the late seventies circumnavigating Black Island on Lake Winnipeg when a full gale came up and we were porpoising into six foot waves in Ken's 17 foot Siren sailboat. Ken and I holding the main sheet because the cleat wouldn't hold and our Polish captain at the tiller kept us on course. We were the only boat on the water and a large crowd watched us come into Gull Harbour shocked that anyone was out there. One of my greatest adventures. I forget how much damage we did to the rigging and sails but think about Ken often as he introduced me to sailing and canoe trips in the wilds of Ontario. Doug McGregor, Commodore, Campbell River Yacht Club - Posted by: Doug McGregor (Friend) on: Nov 23, 2025
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I met Ken at Olympic Pant and Sportswear back in the day. Immediately appreciated meeting him. Great guy. And a good teacher. Condolences to the family. - Posted by: Dave Schade (Coworker) on: Nov 22, 2025
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I am so saddened to learn of Ken's passing. Ken and I worked together at Olympic Pant in Winnipeg and I can say without a doubt he was the best boss, teacher, friend and mentor I ever had. I am so pleased I was able to see him a few years ago when I traveled back to Winnipeg. Rest in paradise Ken! - Posted by: Joan (Friend) on: Nov 22, 2025
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I worked with Ken at Burns Meats way back. We were coffee pals and shared fishing stories. So one day we put my Lund boat in the Red River by the north Perimeter Hwy and chugged slowly North to Lockport. It was a great Fall day. The river was like glass. Ken directed me through the locks as he had been there before. It was so cool being lowered to the other side. By the spillway we caught several sauger. It was a great day. A great adventure that I shared with a great guy. As is often sadly the case, we both moved on and fell out of touch. But I’ll never forget the adventure Ken took me on that day. I think of it every time I drive over the Lockport bridge… and I think of Ken. - Posted by: Paul Downie (Friend and colleague) on: Nov 22, 2025
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Dear Margaret and family. My most sincere sympathy to you all at this sad time. Ken was a beautiful soul and a wonderful husband and so loving to his family. I am so saddened to read of Ken’s passing. What a shock. I enjoyed Ken’s sense of human and our conversations. Rest in peace. Helga (Downey). - Posted by: Helga Cychmistruk (Downey) (Friend) on: Nov 22, 2025
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Dear Amber, I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family. - Posted by: Susan McLennan (Former coworker of Amber) on: Nov 22, 2025
