Obituaries

WILLHELM “BILL” DOERKSEN

Bill (Wilhelm) Doerksen died peacefully at home with members of his family by his side on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. He was born in Rosenfeld, Manitoba on July 2, 1932, the youngest of 12 children of Solomon and Anna Derksen.

Raised on the family farm, Bill graduated from Winkler Collegiate Institute in 1951. In 1952 he enlisted in the RCMP and was posted to various locations in Alberta, including Peace River, Edmonton and Calgary. Over the course of his 25 years with the RCMP Bill rose to the rank of Sergeant. For most of his career he was in the identification section, which fit well with his interest in photography.

In 1960 Bill married Patricia Enns. Their three sons, Mark William, Clifford John and Michael Grant, were all born in Peace River. The family also lived in Berwick, Nova Scotia before returning to Manitoba in 1978. Bill was a keen hiker, skier, sailor, crokinole player and clipper of stuff from the newspaper and introduced his sons to all of these interests. As a father he was without peer, being twice nominated for the prestigious Eggbert Cup. Although there were limits to his patience, he was a very gentle man who was able to see the humour in every situation.

In their retirement years Bill and Pat lived in Osoyoos and Vernon, B.C. and Cochrane, Alberta. Bill and Pat travelled the globe together.  He was completely devoted to Pat, though he did not share her love of opera, rhubarb, or cucumbers. For 55 years Bill and Pat kept each other laughing and engaged with life.

Bill’s range of interests was extraordinary: literature, music (from Hank Williams to Bach), technology (but not computers), science, nature, history and public affairs were all areas in which he was conversant.

Left to survive Bill are his sister Helena Kemp; sons Mark and Mike; daughters-in-law Tara, Sarah and Elspeth; grandchildren Kaitlin and Emily Regiec, George and Peter Doerksen, Maxine Bennett and Gladys Carruthers. He was predeceased by all but one of his siblings; his wife Pat; and by their son Clifford.

The family thanks caregivers at Cancer Care Manitoba, the Victoria General Hospital, and the Deer Lodge Centre for their care over the past two-plus years, as well as the staff at Palliative Care, and everyone at the excellent Medical Assistance in Dying team. The family also thanks all of Bill’s friends and relatives who visited, wrote and called in the last two years since Bill was widowed.

In compliance with Bill’s wishes, no Funeral Service will be held.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Mennonite Central Committee in Bill’s memory.

Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com