Obituary of Bert GENSOREK

Bert Gensorek of Gravelbourg, SK passed away on November 19, 2013, at the age of 76 years. Bert was born in Rossburn, Manitoba on December 26, 1936, to Peter and Annie Gensorek. He has 3 siblings: Nick, Ed, and Liz. Bert attended Angusville High School and graduated in June, 1956. He began his career in banking July, 1956, when he joined the Toronto-Dominion Bank in Glenavon, SK. On August 5, 1961, Bert married Marie Poirier of Montmartre, SK, and they were blessed with two children, Roger and Lynn. Bert and Marie made their first home in Glenavon. Then, Bert’s career took them to Grenfell, SK for a few months and in November, 1963, they moved to Preeceville, SK, where they resided for several years. In May, 1968, Bert and Marie moved to Rocanville, SK, where they lived for a decade. In January, 1979, they were happy to relocate to Gravelbourg and have called it home ever since. Bert retired in September 1993, after 37 years as bank manager. Bert was an active and very involved Knights of Columbus member. In his younger days, Bert loved to go skidooing, golfing, fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved to travel and go on holidays. One special trip was going to Yellowstone National Park to see the Old Faithful Geyser. Bert was a kind, soft hearted and gentle man of few words. Spending time with his friends and family was always first on his list. Whether it be playing cards, going out for coffee or playing his guitar, having fun and seeing people smile was what he enjoyed. Bert will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends. Left to cherish Bert’s memory is his loving wife Marie (nee Poirier); son Roger (Denise) Gensorek, granddaughter Jasmine; daughter Lynn (Jean) Croteau, granddaughter Melanie (Patrick) Hawkins, great grandchildren Nolan, Connor, Brooklynn; brothers Nick Gensorek, Edward (Margaret) Gensorek; sister Elizabeth Kjersem; brothers-in-law John Poirier, Henry (Florence) Poirier. Predeceased by his parents Peter and Annie Gensorek; parents-in-law Wilfred and Martha Poirier; sister-in-law Ann Gensorek, brother-in-law Pat Kjersem. Prayers were held on Friday, November 22, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. and Funeral Mass on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., both at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Gravelbourg, SK. Celebrant was Father Joseph Strohhofer. The eulogy was shared by Melanie Hawkins. Readers were Florence Poirier and Denise Gensorek. Prayers of the faithful were shared by Denise Miller. Offertory gifts were presented by Roger Gensorek and Lynn Croteau. Soloist Henri Lepage was accompanied by organist Leona Bourgeois. Active pallbearers were Denis Boire, Vic Baron, Ernie Aussant, Mark Gosselin, Lawrence Boychuk and Ted Reaves. Altar servers and honour guard were the Knights of Columbus. Interment took place at the Gravelbourg Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Bert to the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, c/o "The Ambulance” Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, were greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.