Irvin "Irv" Joseph Wegleitner

Irvin Wegleitner was born on November 1, 1948 at Ste. Rose du lac, MB, and was called by his Savior to his heavenly home on Monday, March 20, 2023 at Portage la Prairie, MB at the age of 74 years. Irv was the second of four children born to Herman Frank and Rose Clementine (nee Lueke) Wegleitner.

Left to morn his loss and cherish his memories are his loving wife, Edie; son Paul (Gaea) and grandsons Odin, Meryk and Raiden; son Curtis and grandson Oliver; daughter Tammy; daughter Kristie and granddaughters Zoey and Claire; sons-in-law Dean Reber and Ryan Chodachek; special Godchildren Tamara  Oversby and Jason Roche; step-family Shane (Kim) Bilkoski, Todd Bilkoski and Lisa Robb, as well as extended members of the Bilkoski family; brother Jim Wegleitner; sister Imelda Trojek; brothers-in-law Ron (Marieanne) Roche, Michael (Pam) Roche,  Gary Graves and Allen Vandepoele; sisters-in-law Gloria Wegleitner, Joanne (Gerry) Winiarz and Diane Roche, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and a host of friends.

Irv was predeceased by and will share eternal happiness with his first wife Gisele (2017), two angel grandsons Joshua and Collin Reber, parents Rose (1971) and Herman (1980) Wegleitner, brother Jack (2000), father-in-law Jean Roche “Papa Jean” and mother-in-law Eva Roche, sisters-in-law Leona Graves and Nicole Vandepoele, brothers-in-law Claude Roche and baby Denis Roche who passed away at the age of 3 years from crib death.

Although Irv’s young life was difficult growing up in East Bay, MB on a quarter section of land, it still brought back memories of a happy childhood. He attended East Bay School for grades one to eight, then went to St. Rose Collegiate for grades nine – eleven. This was a real eye opener for a shy country boy. He then went to Rorketon Collegiate for grade 12.

In 1967, at the age of 18, he headed to Gillam, MB, where he was employed by G&H Steel as an ironworker at Kettle Rapids Generating Station. After four months, he returned home. In January of 1968, Irv began working for CN in Thompson, where he remained until July 1971 when his Mom lost her life in a car accident. He left CN to stay on the farm with his injured dad.

He met Gisele Roche in September 1971, and they were married in June of 1972. This was a match made in heaven. They purchased a home in Ste. Rose with a possession date of September 1, 1972, so they set up camp for two months in Papa Jean’s garage. While living in Ste. Rose from 1972-1984, their four children were born. Irv was employed by Papa Jean at J.R. Lumber for three years, then at Co-Op until 1984. In the fall of 1984, Irv moved his family to Thompson, MB and was employed by Leo Landers Construction, CMHC, then MB Hyrdo until 2005 at which that time Irv retired and made the move to an acreage a short distance north of Portage la Prairie.

Irv’s time was spent gardening, word puzzles, playing baseball, curling, travelling, and volunteering at Prairie Welcome house and the Blood donor Clinic. He loved to dance, and always kept a crib board handy. He was also a bit of a daredevil – bungee jumping in his 40’s and diving off a high diving board in his 70’s. He ate so much corn on the cob he was turned away at the Morden Corn and apple festival. Irv could always be counted on to make batches of Cuban Lunch, dainties, caramel corn and Meat pies every Christmas to hand out to friends.

Irv was always a very active member of his church, and strong in his faith. For several years, he was a fourth degree Knight and honourary life member of the Knights of Columbus.

August 3, 2019 brought a new chapter to Irv’s life when he married Edie – a second match made in heaven. Irv’s heart issues took a bad turn during the summer and fall of 2022, which resulted in numerous hospital visits and two heart surgeries.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sunit Nagra, Dr. Bernard Thess, the ER Staff at Portage District General Hospital– especially Dawn Lernowicz, and all the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital Cardiology unit and pacemaker clinic.

Prayers will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm.  Funeral Mass will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Portage la Prairie, MB on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 1:00pm, led by Father Michael Savarimuthu.  The service was recorded and can be viewed below along with the slideshow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Irv’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com