Born September 5, 1938, Barbara Anne Karlowsky (nee Kaminsky) was the second child, and only daughter to Paul and Clara Kaminsky of Brunkild, Manitoba. She was baptised October 30, 1938, in the Brunkild Lutheran Church and confirmed her Confession of Faith June 8, 1952. She attended the Brunkild School where she met her husband to be, Gary. She graduated June 1955, took further schooling in Winnipeg at Business College which led to work in Winnipeg at Barber-Ellis, a paper company, as a secretary from June 6, 1956, to May 15, 1958.
June 29, 1957, Barbara and Gary announced their engagement. They were married the following year on June 27, 1958, in the Brunkild Lutheran Church. Their honeymoon took them on a road trip to Lake Louise and Banff, British Columbia, Montana, and North Dakota. Over their years together they would add Illinois, Las Vegas, New Mexico, California, Florida, many trips to Arizona, and most recently, Costa Rica to that list of travel adventures.
Once married, Barbara moved into the farmhouse with Gary on the Karlowsky homestead where they successfully spent the next 32 years farming together and raising their children, Paul, Kirk, and Cara. They moved into town in the late fall of 1989 into her ‘dream home’ that Gary had built for her where she continued to enjoy spending time with her family, extended family, grandchildren, and many friends.
Serving in the Brunkild Lutheran Church was important to Barbara. Her greatest contribution was playing the Church organ for 55 years. Upon retiring, she was honored with a special Church service and lunch as recognition for her years of service.
Barbara had numerous interests; recording family history, antiquing, scrapbooking the Royals and movie stars and starlets back in the day, stamp collecting, and coin collecting to name a few. In her younger years, she bowled in Carman and curled in Brunkild. Her greatest passion was reading making a point to fit it in each day, from her morning devotions, to the newspaper, to catching up on a novel by her favourite author.
Barbara’s greatest battle was with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) having been diagnosed approximately 46 years ago. Due to her determination and strength of character, she did not let it define her. As the effects of MS deteriorated her physicality in her later years, she pressed on as best she could in the struggle to remain as self-reliant and as independent as possible. The battle took its toll though, mixed with other health issues posing further challenges. The decision was made to move to Winnipeg into the Westhaven Retirement Community on west Portage Avenue.
Cancer resurfaced in late 2021 precipitating her final journey in life and her move to the Golden West Centennial Lodge on Jan 25, 2022. There she finally lost her battle and was received into the arms of Jesus, relieved from her struggles. On Saturday, October 8, 2022, shortly after 10:30 PM, Barbara passed away peacefully with her husband, Gary, and daughter, Cara, keeping vigil by her side.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Gary; son Paul (Erna), grandchildren Rhonda Michels (Jake), James (Lisa), Tara Stearns (Tyler); son Kirk (Ronda), grandchildren Jenessa Peristerakis (Mike), Ryan (Megan), Nathan (Madison); daughter Cara (Viktor Stetsiv) step-grandchildren Ross Stetsiv (Natalie), as well as many great-grandchildren; brothers Wayne (Jenny), and Brian (Barbara) Kaminsky, and many nieces, and nephews.
June 29, 1957, Barbara and Gary announced their engagement. They were married the following year on June 27, 1958, in the Brunkild Lutheran Church. Their honeymoon took them on a road trip to Lake Louise and Banff, British Columbia, Montana, and North Dakota. Over their years together they would add Illinois, Las Vegas, New Mexico, California, Florida, many trips to Arizona, and most recently, Costa Rica to that list of travel adventures.
Once married, Barbara moved into the farmhouse with Gary on the Karlowsky homestead where they successfully spent the next 32 years farming together and raising their children, Paul, Kirk, and Cara. They moved into town in the late fall of 1989 into her ‘dream home’ that Gary had built for her where she continued to enjoy spending time with her family, extended family, grandchildren, and many friends.
Serving in the Brunkild Lutheran Church was important to Barbara. Her greatest contribution was playing the Church organ for 55 years. Upon retiring, she was honored with a special Church service and lunch as recognition for her years of service.
Barbara had numerous interests; recording family history, antiquing, scrapbooking the Royals and movie stars and starlets back in the day, stamp collecting, and coin collecting to name a few. In her younger years, she bowled in Carman and curled in Brunkild. Her greatest passion was reading making a point to fit it in each day, from her morning devotions, to the newspaper, to catching up on a novel by her favourite author.
Barbara’s greatest battle was with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) having been diagnosed approximately 46 years ago. Due to her determination and strength of character, she did not let it define her. As the effects of MS deteriorated her physicality in her later years, she pressed on as best she could in the struggle to remain as self-reliant and as independent as possible. The battle took its toll though, mixed with other health issues posing further challenges. The decision was made to move to Winnipeg into the Westhaven Retirement Community on west Portage Avenue.
Cancer resurfaced in late 2021 precipitating her final journey in life and her move to the Golden West Centennial Lodge on Jan 25, 2022. There she finally lost her battle and was received into the arms of Jesus, relieved from her struggles. On Saturday, October 8, 2022, shortly after 10:30 PM, Barbara passed away peacefully with her husband, Gary, and daughter, Cara, keeping vigil by her side.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Gary; son Paul (Erna), grandchildren Rhonda Michels (Jake), James (Lisa), Tara Stearns (Tyler); son Kirk (Ronda), grandchildren Jenessa Peristerakis (Mike), Ryan (Megan), Nathan (Madison); daughter Cara (Viktor Stetsiv) step-grandchildren Ross Stetsiv (Natalie), as well as many great-grandchildren; brothers Wayne (Jenny), and Brian (Barbara) Kaminsky, and many nieces, and nephews.