Obituaries

JACOB LETKEMAN (1929 – 2012) It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jacob Jim Letkeman on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at Seven Oaks General Hospital at the age of 82 years. Left to forever cherish Jim’s memory are his wife Anne of 59 years of marriage; children Kim, Gaye (Greg), Terry, Melodie and Trevor; grandchildren Michelle (Scott), Nicholas, Caitlin, Jonathan, Alex, Cody and Hailey; great-grandchildren Savannah and Riley; brother Frank; sisters Anne, Helen, Katie and Margaret; and by many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Abe and Mary, and by his siblings John, Isaac, Al, Nettie, Susan, Martha and Mary. On October 23, 1929 Dad was born near Winkler, MB. He received his schooling at a one-room schoolhouse until he left at age 14 to work on the farm. He met Anne and they were married in 1953. Mom and Dad moved to the city where his first job was as a telegraph lineman. During the interview he was asked are you a grounder or a climber? When Dad asked what the difference was and was told 5 cents an hour, he said I’m a climber! He likely regretted that decision when he fell 20 feet off a pole – just one in a series of misadventures that Dad survived, as tough as he was. Dad loved and was proud of each and every one of us and would do anything for us (and indeed for anyone who asked). He worked all of his life for his family with many interesting occupations, including taxi driver, milkman, pizza delivery guy (we kids benefitted from that one), a long stint with chrome plating at Canadian Bronze, and finally he retired from Griffin Steel in 1996 after many years of milling graphite molds for railway wheels. In his later years Dad struggled with COPD and mobility issues, but his fierce determination and spirit remained strong. To many of our friends and cousins Jim was a second Dad . He thought nothing of piling everyone into the station wagon to go off on adventures, including many camping and fishing trips. Grampa adored his grandchildren and Great Grampa Jim was perpetually charmed by Savannah going for rides on his hospital bed (at home) while eating Revels and by baby Riley (Little Jim) with his huge blue eyes and wide grins. Although we will miss Dad and his sense of humour very much, he has left behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy that will live on through his beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There will be no Service in compliance with Dad’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dad’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. Forever loved and remembered   As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on August 08, 2012