WILHELM MARETZKI

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WILHELM (BILL) MARETZKI January 1, 1925 - February 16, 2015 After a life well lived, our dad passed away on February 16, 2015, at the Misericordia Interim Care Centre. Bill was born in Halmbruch by Thorn, West Prussia. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Hilde, his brother Edmund (late Maria), and two brothers in infancy Bruno and Leo. He is survived by daughters Susanne Bell (late Glenn) and Sigrid Sawchuk (John), sons Manfred, Ralph (Kristy), and William (Lori), his five grandchildren, Stephanie Hampson (Kevin), Michael Sawchuk (Kristin), Jessica Sawchuk (Matt), Jordan Maretzki, Aaron Maretzki, and two great-grandsons Bowen and Sam Hampson. He also leaves behind his siblings, Hilde (late Theo), Meta (Werner), Paul (late Hilda), Heinz (Gundi), Albert (late Elizabeth), Alma (Edmund), Waltraud (Horst), and Walter (Gisela), and many nieces and nephews in Canada, US, and Europe. In the Second World War, he received training in Morse Code and navigation, becoming a wireless communications operator. After the war he settled in Ebersdorf, Germany where he met his wife Hilde. They immigrated to Canada in 1955 and settled in Bissett, MB where Dad worked at San Antonio Gold Mines. Dad was an extremely hard worker and calculated risk taker in his career. In 1958, the family moved to Winnipeg where Dad founded two successful businesses, Ferro Steel Industries with his brother Paul, and then Winnipeg Iron Works on his own. After selling this business, Dad worked for 15 years as a steel shop superintendent for Royal Stewart Ltd. He was a self-taught welder and steel specialist and was especially proud of his work in building the orchestra shell at the Centennial Concert Hall in 1967. He also renovated "fixer-uppers" and turned them into quality homes. His pride and joy were the two homes he built for his family in Charleswood. Dad enjoyed playing cards, particularly rook, skat and rummy, and was an ardent Blue Bomber fan. He was an avid hunter, often joined by his sons in the woods and marshes of Manitoba. He loved gardening with Hilde and enjoyed the feel of the earth with his hands. In his retirement years, he and Hilde travelled to Texas, where his passion was golfing. Later on, they spent winters in Kelowna. Dad loved to tell many stories about his life experiences, including the war. In 2007, he reluctantly moved from his beautiful home in Charleswood to Lindenwood Terrace with Hilde. He made many friends there and was involved in Bingo, jigsaw puzzles, cards, and always started his day by tackling the Free Press Jumble. Despite his physical limitations due to a stroke in 2004, he inspired us with his strength and determination to live independently. He missed our mom greatly after she passed away in 2011. He was a member of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church for over 25 years. He was a council member and sang in the choir. Funeral service to be held Saturday, February 21, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 65 Walnut Street, Winnipeg. If desired donations can be made to the Salvation Army, an organization that helped him upon his arrival in Canada, and one he supported for the rest of his life. The family would like to thank the staff at the Victoria General Hospital and the Misericordia Interim Care Centre for their care and support. Dad's favourite saying - "Man Alivins" - ("Man Alive")...and what a life he had! NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2015