JOHN PAUL ZELANKO

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JOHN PAUL ZELANKO It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of, John Zelanko, at the Gimli Community Health Centre, on September 19, 2017, after a very long and courageous battle with cancer. John will be greatly missed by his children, Hazel Lee, Leonard Zelanko, Cathie (Wally) Bailey and Sandra (Chris) Atkins; grandchildren, Jonathon, Amy, Richard, Daniel and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Ashton, Jadyn, Finnleigh and Sullivan, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his loving wife Natalie Kishensky and her family. John is predeceased by his first wife Aini in 2006 and his son-in-law Doug in 2007. John was born on July 16, 1927 on the family farm in East Selkirk, Manitoba, where he grew up loving to work in the fields and tending to the animals. In 1946, he was off to work in the bush camps in northern Ontario, where he met Aini and they married in 1947. They moved to Winnipeg where John worked full-time at Federal Pioneer Electric for 40 years and then working on their farm on the weekends. Dad kept busy during his retirement. You could always find him puttering and fixing something out in the big shed on the farm. He took such good care of all his farm machinery and equipment. He would spend countless hours taking them apart, cleaning them and then repainting them to look like new. For many years dad and mom loved showing them off in parades. Dad generously donated numerous tractors and other equipment to the Beausejour Pioneer Museum. These items are still on display at the museum and will forever be a part of our history that our father worked so hard to preserve. John and Aini would love to travel and some of their adventures lead them to Finland, Arizona, Texas, BC, all around Manitoba and a bus tour to Newfoundland. We would like to thank the wonderful nurses and support staff at the Gimli Community Health Centre and Selkirk Palliative Care for their care for John over last few months. Cremation has taken place and a come and go tea will take place on September 30, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Gilbart Reception Centre, 309 Eveline St., Selkirk, MB. Parking available at the rear of the building. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Selkirk Palliative Care Program, 233A Main St., Selkirk, Manitoba R1A 1S1. Dad, we all love you very much and you have worked so hard all your life, so now it's time to rest. Condolences may be left at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.
Publish Date: Sep 23, 2017

JOHN PAUL ZELANKO Peacefully, on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at the Gimli Community Health Centre, John Zelanko, aged 90 years, of East Selkirk, MB, passed away. Full obituary to follow in Saturday's edition of the Free Press. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

Publish Date: Sep 21, 2017

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2017