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The boundaries of medical science are not as far off as we think they are for many diseases and illnesses, but Carl Weshnoweski was proof that researchers and scientists are making progress and pushing those boundaries further.
Carl, who was 75 when he died on Sept. 24, lived with Polycythemia, a blood disorder which causes an increase in red blood cells resulting in thicker blood which is more susceptible to blood clots and other health issues.
Not too long ago the diagnosis would have seen Carl die in about two years but, with the help of the specialists at CancerCare Manitoba, he lived with the disorder for years.
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As Carl’s family says: “We could write a book on our appreciation to CancerCare Manitoba.
“As every hurdle with this disease crossed Carl’s path, CancerCare was there with new research and new medications that allowed him to live a near normal life for 30 more years. At the age of 75, it finally got the best of him, with sudden multi-organ failure except for his strong heart.”
During Carl’s last few days, and in between emergency room visits, he was able to spend a full day at home, celebrating his 52nd wedding anniversary with his wife Linda.
Earlier in life, Carl worked as an electrician, but he had a dream of being the next generation to continue the family farm west of Sandy Hook. He did that, with his wife, mainly raising cattle.
After being diagnosed in 1995, Carl “worked as hard as the disease allowed him to.”
Besides his wife, Carl is survived by three daughters, one son, and several grandchildren.
Read more about Carl.
How They Lived
Julie Lyons spent her career in nursing.
Julie, who was 66 when she died on June 7, graduated as a registered nurse from the Health Sciences Centre’s School of Nursing and then spent her career at the hospital. She worked mostly in the operating room at the hospital’s Women’s Centre.
But, after retiring, Julie was integral in creating and operating the family business, Time Lapse Escape Rooms, with her husband and three children.
Read more about Julie.
Jim Draper said the reasons for him being ordained in the Anglican Church were a mystery even to him.
Jim, who died on Sept. 10 at age 79, was ordained into the Anglican Church and went on to work in the church for 40 years as an educator, pastor, strategist and counsellor.
While serving in Winnipeg, Jim was Dean of Theology at St John’s College, interim priest at St. Mark’s and St. Bartholomew’s, and rector at All Saints’ Church.
Read more about Jim.
Susan Kackenhoff loved family and plants.
Susan, who was 89 when she died on Sept. 19, was lucky enough to be able to combine the two loves in her life.
With her husband, the couple founded Kackenhoff Nurseries. There, they worked together for decades building the company, and, after their two children grew up, they joined the business.
Read more about Susan.
Lee Luetkehoelter was a naval officer who went on to serve the Lutheran church.
After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan, Lee, who died on Sept. 7 at age 95, attended naval officer training at Royal Roads in British Columbia and served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1951 to 1952.
He graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon in 1955, and went on to serve congregations in Saskatchewan, Philadelphia, B.C. and Alberta.
Lee was elected president of the Central Canada Synod of the Lutheran Church in America in 1976 before serving as Bishop of the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario Synod from 1980 to 1994. He also was on the board of directors of Canadian Lutheran World Relief.
Read more about Lee.
A Life’s Story
Many Winnipeggers and Manitobans dined at restaurants Marilyn Hagerty reviewed in Grand Forks — even if they weren’t all fine-dining experiences.
Marilyn, who was 99 when she died on Sept. 16, was a longtime columnist who wrote about restaurants with the Grand Forks Herald.
She became infamous in 2012 when she reviewed the local Olive Garden, saying its chicken Alfredo was “warm and comforting on a cold day.”
Marilyn Hagerty samples a Lays potato chip during an interview with The Associated Press in New York. (Mark Lennihan / The Associated Press files)
Many people on social media responded with snarky comments, especially when Marilyn called the restaurant “the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks.”
But chef and author Anthony Bourdain not only came to her defence, but encouraged her to compile a book of her restaurant reviews which she did in 2013.
“She is never mean — even when circumstances would clearly excuse a sharp elbow, a cruel remark,” Bourdain wrote in the book’s foreword.
To read more about Marilyn’s life, go here.
Until next time, I hope you continue to write your own life’s story.
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