GEORGE NEUFELD

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GEORGE NEUFELD It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dad on March 20, 2014. Peacefully he slipped away with his daughter by his side. Dad is survived by one brother, two sisters and their families. He will be remembered by his four children: Don (Karen), Chris (Pearl), Val Penner (Jerry), and Kelly. He was cherished by 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Dad was predeceased by his wife Bertha, of 57 years, in 2009. Dad was born to Gerhard and Malwina Neufeld on February 24, 1924, in Russia. As an infant, along with his parents, he immigrated to Canada, finally settling on a farm near Nesbitt, Manitoba. Dad earned his Teaching Certificate from the Manitoba Normal School and started his career in a one room school house in Willow Ridge, MB, in 1948. In 1952, he married Bertha Plett. Early in his career, he attended summer school at the University of Manitoba, and eventually received degrees in Education, Arts, and Science. He also taught in Landmark and Steinbach, retiring in 1979. Dad was a land developer, builder, and an entrepreneur and his legacy will live on in neighbourhoods throughout the Steinbach community. Dad loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener and fisherman. His playground was a 10 acre parcel of land in east Steinbach where he planted thousands of trees, flowers, and vegetables. One spring, he planted 3000 gladiolus to be used later that summer for a wedding. Dad was active in the community, serving as a town councillor, deputy mayor and on countless boards and community groups. He truly made Steinbach a better place to live, work and play. In 1977, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal for his exemplary service in his community. A special time for dad was the September long weekend, when the entire family gathers in the Whiteshell for some late summer fun; a tradition which started in 1987 to celebrate mom and dad's 35th wedding anniversary. The tradition continues. As the family grew, so did his birthday list and each person on that list could look forward, annually, to a card with a $20 bill tucked neatly inside. A long life, well lived, forever lovingly remembered. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., at the Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church, 422 Main Street, Steinbach, MB, with interment to follow at Heritage Cemetery. Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 1-888-454-1030 or 204-346-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 24, 2014