Ernie Karlowsky
April 1,
1924 – December 10, 2014
Peacefully in the
afternoon of Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at the age of 90 years, Ernie passed
away with his family by his side, at Concordia Hospital, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Papa was “born too soon” as he would say, on “April Fool’s Day in 1924”.
Left to forever cherish
Ernie’s memory are his children, Toni (Ken), Stacie (Keith), Debbie (Lorne),
and Robin (Deb); his sisters Peggy McCormick and Gwen Marsch; and several
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by
his wife Judee (2006), wife Elsie (1965), and son Ronnie (2008).
The second of nine
children, Ernie grew up on the farm in Brunkild, Manitoba, where he eventually
settled and built his own successful farming business. Ernie’s amazing work
ethic, innovative skills, and entrepreneurial spirit took him on many
adventures and allowed him a multitude of wonderful experiences over his long
life. After several successful farming years, Ernie ventured into the
automobile industry, and he and Judee opened the Honda Trade Centre in 1979.
While maintaining both the farming and car businesses, they then added to their
portfolio an orange grove in Porterville, California, which they purchased in
the 80’s. He and Mom would travel every year to the grove to inspect the crops,
attend the Tulare County Farm Show and created lasting memories with family,
and friends at Camp Nelson, Pismo Beach and beyond. Bringing back several boxes
of the harvested fruit, Ernie took pleasure in gifting boxes of the sweet,
fresh fruit to family and friends. In 1985, Ernie and Judee moved to Winnipeg
for proximity to both the farming and car businesses, and bought a beautiful
river property in the South end of the city. Family and friends will forever
remember the fun times had at the Karlowsky’s boating, jet-skiing and
barbequing in those summer months, and hence where Ernie was affectionately
known by his grandchildren as “Papa Boat”.
An avid sports fan,
Ernie was a long-time Winnipeg Jets Booster Club member where he hosted several
“Jets Picnics” at his farm over the years, having players such as Willie
Lindstrom and Thomas Steen, their families and friends out to the farm to take
part in a friendly baseball tournament and other activities alongside the
Booster Club members and their families. A devoted Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan,
Ernie was a season ticket holder for 66 years, where in 1948 he saw his first
game at the Osborne Stadium at Broadway and Osborne. He was very proud to have
been present at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Investor’s Group
Field, and was fortunate to have celebrated his 90th birthday at the
Pinnacle Room at Investor’s Group Field this year, where Ernie was joined by
many family and friends. In his youth, Ernie loved to participate in sports and
often told stories about his years as a baseball player, and spoke excitedly
about the famous “8-ender” he and his curling team achieved.
In his most recent
years, Ernie continued to keep himself busy maintaining his land out in
Brunkild, and was often seen cutting grass, clearing snow and driving around
checking fields. His amazing example of determination, inventive drive and
ambition kept this “MacGyver” going, well beyond what most people could hope to
achieve. Ernie continued to enjoy dinners with his family, vacations with
family and friends, and going out and about on his routines and continued work.
Ernie’s endless repertoire of stories, goofy jokes, “Ernie-isms” and sense of
humor will be missed by those close to him, but his legacy will also continue
through us. Ernie made us the people we are today, and for that, we are
thankful!
Ernie’s Funeral Service
will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, in Lutheran Church of the Cross,
560 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Kolleen Karlowsky-Clark,
presider.
In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made in Ernie’s memory, to a charity of your choice.
Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel
& Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665, is in care of
arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Wojcik’s
FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
2157 PORTAGE AVENUE
204 - 897 - 4665
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
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