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Publication: Winnipeg Free Press add link
Issue: 21 April 2004
Title: Obituary - Omer Ballegeer
Web Link: link

OMER JOSEPH BALLEGEER Omer Joseph Ballegeer aged 99 years passed on to his eternal rest at Kin Place Personal Care Home at Oakbank, MB on Monday, April 19, 2004. He was the proud patriarch of five generations of family whom he loved dearly and who loved him in return. He will be sadly missed. His family gives thanks to God that he had been blessed with such a long, fulfilling and rewarding life. His health only started to fail in the last few months. Omer was born March 15, 1905 at Bruxelles, MB, the second youngest child of Henri and Sidonie Ballegeer. He was the last surviving member of a family of seven boys and four girls. Omer attended school at Bruxelles and other area schools. He married his sweetheart Irma Van Deynze on January 5, 1926 at Sacred Heart Church (known as the Belgian Church) in St. Boniface. They were blessed to celebrate 72 years of married life. They had a family of four sons and two daughters. In his late teen years Omer tried his hand at working on the hydro lines in Northern Ontario. After a near fall he left that work and took up his chosen career of farming. Omer and Irma first made their home in Swan Lake, MB. In the War years they formed in Mariapolis. In 1946, Omer and his whole family bought a farm in the Dugald area where he lived for 54 years. In November 2000, Omer moved to Sun Rise Lodge at Anola. Finally in November 2003 he moved to Kin Place Personal Care Home at Oakbank. Omer loved the farm it gave him great pleasure to provide good stewardship to the land, to his crops, and to his livestock. However hed be the first to say he only tolerated chickens. Several days ago he asked Leon if seeding was started yet this spring. He was still able to drive the tractor and work his beloved land until well into his 90s. His large farm yard was always well groomed. Omer had a very good relationship with his sons. He took pride in being able to help his sons all establish themselves on their own farms. The family worked together for many years. Omer was willing to give advice but any decisions that were to be made were always your own. Omer was a founding member of the St. Pius X Church at Glass, MB, and at Our Lady of Hope Parish at Anola. He was always more than generous to support his church. He was at times known to be able to sweep the floor quite well as his friend Margaret well knows. Omer loved to play cards and was a master at playing "Bein". He really enjoyed the card games at Sun Rise Lodge and the Over 50 Club at Anola. Omer left a wonderful legacy for his family. His ethics were based on hard work, being responsible in everything he did; wise money management but always being aware of the virtue of charity. His faith in God was sure and his love of family will always be cherished. Omer was predeceased by his parents, his siblings, his beloved wife Irma in 1999; one son Remi in 2000; one daughter Annette in 1990 and a daughter in infancy, Lorette, in 1941. He is survived by three sons and their wives, Lorne and Audrey, Arsene and Dorothy, Leon and Lesley; 16 grandchildren and their spouses, Joanne and Doug McDermot, Marilyn and Henry Van Dorp, David and Sharon Ballegeer, Richard and Shirley Ballegeer, Debbie and Ken Unich, Kathy and Edwin Babisky, James Ballegeer, Gerald and Marie Ballegeer, Karen and Grant Granger, Shelley and Ken Gottfred, Brenda and Roger Gallant, Janice and Ron Herda, Sharron and David Park, Darwin and Sophie Ballegeer, Darren Ballegeer, and Lisa and Dean Hoffer; 25 great-grandchildren, Glenn (Michelle), Faye (Graham), Brian, Leigh, Michael (Adariane), Amanda (Derek), Keith (Tanya), Amie, Christopher, Neil, Alan, Mark, Chris, Jason (Chantal), Carl (Sherry), Carla, Bradley (Laura), Samantha, Jonathan, Dale, Joel, Brittany, Brady, Scott, and Ian; four great-great-grandchildren, Nathan, Parker, Sheldon, and Megan; eight sisters-in-law, Mary-Rose Ballegeer, Mary Ballegeer, Therese (Minnie) Ballegeer, Zoe Huckle, Rosella Grift, Florence Lippens, Alice Van Deynze, Gertie Van Deynze; a number of God children and several generations of nieces and nephews. The family wish to thank Dr. Van Rensberg and Dr. Schmidt, the staff at Beausejour Hospital for their early care. A most heartfelt thanks to the doctors and wonderful professional staff at Kin Place. Your care was very much appreciated by Omer and his family. A special thank you to Darcie. We also wish to thank St. Michaels Parish Ministry for bringing Omer communion. A special thank you to Fr. Sebastian, your visits were especially important. A celebration of life for Omer will be held on Friday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Anola (Hwy. #15 eight miles east of Dugald). Viewing will take place one half hour prior to service. Rev. Fr. Owen Steeves will preside. Interment will follow in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. Flowers gratefully declined, however a donation to Kin Place Personal Care Home, Oakbank, MB would be most appreciated. We will miss you, dear one, but when we finish our lifes journey, we know you will be there to greet us and say, "Welcome Home." Rest in peace. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematorium Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, 222-3241

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