WILLIAM ARTHUR LITKE

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WILLIAM ARTHUR LITKE (Bill - Plumber) Bill was taken from us too soon on Friday, March 11, 2005 at the Beausejour District Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 62 years. Remaining to cherish Bill's memory are his beloved wife Joan; daughter Joycelyn; son Dane; daughter-in-law Kelly and granddaughter Sidney; brothers, Paul (Roberta), Edwin (Hazel), Fred (Betty) and Herb (Audrey); sisters, Tilly and Alma; brothers-in-law, Gerry and Peter (Corinne); numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father Gustave; mother Martha; sister Elsa and brothers-in-law, Art and Dick. He was born and raised in Beausejour, MB. Bill spent numerous hours in the garden with Martha and helping herd those darn cows in his early years. As a teenager, he worked at various jobs before becoming a pipe fitter with C.N.R. and A.E.C.L. until he started his own plumbing business in his hometown. One of his greatest joys in life was hockey. He started out playing with his brothers, at a younger age and continued doing so until he became a proud member of the Flin Flon Bombers. Bill returned home a few years later where he played and coached the Beausejour Beavers. He continued coaching numerous teams in the years to follow at various levels with much success. Bill had a canny knack for communicating with the younger generation and enjoyed any opportunity in helping them excel with the task at hand. He cherished his morning, afternoon and evening coffee with the boys at Vicki's Snack Bar. Bill loved his cottage in the Whiteshell where he hunted deer and chicken in the fall, and spent many summer days on the lake with his fishing buddies, Tanya and Chaz. You could find him at the curling club Tuesdays and Thursdays in the winter and at the golf course Wednesday nights in the summer. He drove many a mile following his children in their accomplishments. Proudest moments included a silver medal in Flin Flon and a N.C.A.A. championship in Milwaukee. Laughter was essential and thank-you's were imperative. All who knew Bill, knew his bark was worse than his bite. While he worked hard many years of his life, he would always find the time to enjoy life's simple pleasures whether it be, a setting sunset, a bolt of lightning or the cry of a whippoorwill. Bill would encourage all to do the same. He valued his friends and loved his family - he never lost sight of what was important in life. Once again, he would encourage all to do the same. At Bill's request, a family interment will take place at a later date. Family and friends are invited to a reception to celebrate his life in the Beausejour Room at the Brokenhead River Recreational Complex, James Avenue East, Beausejour, MB on Tuesday, March 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to share a special memory of Bill is welcome to do so at that time. A special thanks to Dr. Garth Campbell and nurses, Rhea, M.J., Bev, Shirley, Denise and Cheryl. Familiar, friendly faces were a comfort to Bill and his family his last few days. If family and friends so desire, donations in Bill's memory can be made to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, 1660 Vimont Court, Cumberland, ON K4A 4J4 or the Palliative Care Program, P.O. Box 1178, Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0. Beautiful memories are wonderful things, They last till the longest day. They never wear out, they never get lost And can never be given away. To some you may be forgotten, To others a thing of the past, But to those who loved and lost you, Your memory will always last. Author Unknown. WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2005