Obituary of NETTIE STEKLER

NETTIE STEKLER 1923 – 2016 (nee Holowaty) With deep sadness in our hearts we mourn the sudden passing of Nettie Stekler, Mom and Grandma, on Monday, January 4th, 2016 at the age of 92. Nettie will be greatly missed by her daughter, Debbie, son Larry, grandchildren Kyle and Meghan, and her many relatives and friends. Nettie, the youngest of ten children was born December 27, 1923 in Shell River (near Roblin, Manitoba) to Philemon and Barbara Holowaty. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Wally in 2010, her youngest son Dave in 2011 and all her 9 siblings, Bill, Ann, Michael, Harry, Mary, Tom, Peter, Zena and Tina. Nettie’s career was in the fur business industry where she loved to sew fur coats. Her career took her to Toronto and then back to Winnipeg. Her specialty was mink coats as they were the finest coats you could buy. She was very proud of her talent. She also designed and sewed fur teddy bears, slippers, bow ties and hair barrettes. This is where she met the Stekler Family and her husband/soul mate Wally. Wally was also in the fur business at that time, he would prepare the furs and Nettie would sew them. Nettie lived life to the fullest and with a passion. She had a wonderful sense of humour. She Lived, Laughed and Loved a lot! She was very involved with her children’s lives and their sporting activities and also attended many of her grandchildren’s sporting activities and school events. She had many interests throughout her life, such as travelling to visit her relatives, camping, fishing, bowling, maintaining her many flowerbeds at home and the cottage, gathering with family and friends around a campfire, garage sales and shopping for clothes at Value Village (VV Boutique) was a ritual. One of her favorite past times was collecting spoons. She had hundreds and had them all displayed on spoon racks in her kitchen. Everyone knew of Nettie’s collection, and would bring her home a spoon from their travels. She cherished her spoon collection. She loved watching the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Team Canada Sports and golf on T.V. She had a wardrobe of jerseys for each team and her special Jets blanket. Nettie had a “gift of gab” and she and Wally loved having company, entertaining family and friends at home and at the cottage. Nettie was a very warm, kind, loving wife, mom and grandma who made it fun to be part of the Stekler family. Recently in October, Nettie moved to the Deer Lodge Centre where she found new friends and genuinely enjoyed the staff, the recreational activities and special events. She was having the time of her life! The family extends their heart filled appreciation to a wonderful, supportive and compassionate staff at Deer Lodge Centre, 4 East Respiratory Care Unit. As well, we would like to thank the caring staff of the Grace Hospital on her final day. A celebration of Nettie’s life will be held at the family home on January 16th, 2016, (2:00 – 6:00 pm). If you wish to attend please contact the family at 204 669-1894 for more details. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Manitoba Lung Association.