Oswald Gonske

September 9, 1942 – March 4, 2024 

Peacefully on March 4, 2024, Oswald Gonske passed away at age 81 after suffering a stroke, and he is now with our Lord. 

Oz is survived by his wife Muriel of 25 years, son Chris (Kelly), daughters Kim (Chris), and Leanne (Jason), daughter-in-law Becky (Martin), stepdaughter Bonnie, stepson Tim, sisters Elsie, Herta, Adele, and Hildegarde, grandchildren Courtney, Harrison, Amber, Spencer, Dylan, Mat, and Dezirae (Raheem), sisters-in-law Pauline R., Carolyn (Joe), and Marlene (Gerald), brothers-in-law Daryl (Nancy), and Marcel (Maureen), and many other family members.

Oz was predeceased by his first wife Sally, to whom he was married for 24 years, son Corey, sister Ruth, brother Ernst, parents Olga and Adolf, nephew Robert, sister-in-law Pauline B., brothers-in-law Fritz, Eugene, Paul, Reginald, Don, Norman, and Herbert, and nephew-in-law Christopher.

Oz was born in Gurten, Germany. The family endured many hardships in Germany during the war, before they were able to come to Canada in 1948 on the Beaverbrae. Oz attended Victoria-Albert School, Glenelm School, Lord Selkirk School, and Elmwood High School. He was very proud of being a cadet in the Canadian Air Force for a time.

His father had dreamt of owning a piece of farmland in Canada, but the family lived in Winnipeg, so it was Oz who fulfilled his father’s dream of living in the country with Sally and their children.

When Sally passed away suddenly in 1991, Oz was devastated. Two years later, he was introduced to Muriel by Muriel’s sister Marlene, who had been friends with Oz and Sally. Marlene suggested that Muriel and Oz become penpals, as Muriel was recently divorced. The two bonded through their letters, phone calls, and visits. Oz and Muriel married on August 1, 1998. Muriel and her daughter Bonnie moved to West St. Paul to live with Oz in 1999. Tim stayed in Ottawa with his father.

A devout Lutheran, and lifelong member of Lutheran Church of the Cross, Oz rarely missed a Sunday. His faith was an important part of his life, and he shared God’s Word with his children. Muriel attended his church, as well, and shared his devotion.

Oz had many jobs throughout his life, most notably working at CN Rail for 35 years. While at the CN, he was actively involved with the union as a representative, and attended conferences. He helped a number of union members with advice and filling out forms. After retiring from the CN, he worked at Adessa for many years, where he enjoyed driving the different kinds of cars that needed to be delivered, and travelling around Manitoba, even as far as Thompson and The Pas. He was a hard worker his entire life: dedicated, dependable, and honest. If Oz made a promise, he kept it.

Oz was an avid five-pin bowler, and had the trophies to prove it. He spent many happy hours on the lanes with friends, only retiring from bowling in September 2023. Gardening was Oz’s other passion. He planted a huge garden every year, and shared the vegetables with friends and family. He enjoyed sitting out in the sun, watching it grow. During the warmer months, Oz almost lived outside. He loved watching sports, especially golf and hockey with his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, great-niece, and great-nephew by taking them bowling, mini-golfing, out to Wendy’s for burgers and baked potatoes, and playing board games. Many happy memories as a family were made at his sisters’ cottage at Ironwood Point near Belair and Hillside beaches.

Oz loved God and his family. He was devoted to his sisters, and was always available to help whenever they needed him. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the ICU at HSC, and all the staff for their excellent care and compassion. 

The funeral will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13. Voyage Funeral Home is making the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.