Victor Frederick Wutke

In the quiet early morning hours of March 12, Victor passed away peacefully, leaving this world and entering eternal rest, now reunited in Heaven with his beloved Eva. Though our hearts carry deep sorrow, we find comfort knowing they are together again.

Victor was born and raised in the Grass River area near Plumas, the third of six children born to Dorothy Karoline and Wilhelm Friedrich Wutke. Growing up on the family farm, he learned early what hard work meant. His childhood was spent helping work the land, cutting hay, raising cattle, and doing whatever needed to be done to keep the farm going. Life was simple but demanding, and those years shaped the strong, capable man he would become.

Like many farm boys of that time, Victor left school after Grade 6 to help his family full-time on the farm. But anyone who knew him knew that his learning never stopped. He was an incredibly smart and practical man, able to fix almost anything with his hands and a bit of ingenuity. If something was broken, Victor would find a way to make it work again. His knowledge didn’t come from books, it came from life, hard work, and a mind that never stopped figuring things out.

As a young boy, he loved spending time outdoors, especially fishing after school and hunting whenever he could. His deep connection to the land and animals stayed with him his entire life; he continued hunting well into his 90s and even enjoyed riding a side-by-side at 91. Over the years, he became known among friends and neighbors as the local water witcher and “everybody’s vet”, admired for the gentle, natural way he had with animals. People trusted him, and he was always willing to lend a hand whenever someone, or some animal, needed help.

In the early 1960s, after spending some time working away from home, Victor returned to the place that had always been in his heart-the family farm. There, he helped out on the farm while also working for his Uncle Bill. It was during this time that fate quietly stepped in and he met Eva. From their very first date on Christmas Eve, something special began, the beginning of their story that would last a lifetime.

Eva and Victor were married on May 30, 1964, and together they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. They made their home in Tenby, where they farmed side by side, building a life together through hard work, faith, and dedication to their family. They were blessed with two daughters, Marlene and Lori (Rodel), who were the pride and joy of their lives, and later with two amazing grandsons, Sawyer and Kelbey, who brought them endless happiness, laughter, cherished memories, and so much love.

Dad’s days as a farmer were long and demanding. Mornings began at sunrise with chores; milking cows, feeding livestock, tending the fields and hay land and often included helping his brother Harold with his farm work. Many evenings he returned home long after the sun had set, exhausted from a full day’s labor.

Yet no matter how long the day had been, Dad always made time for his girls. Whether it was stepping outside to toss a few pitches, watching them ride their bikes, proudly listening as they counted how many pop or beer bottles they had collected that day, or standing along the water watching the girls catch suckers, those simple moments were treasures, small acts of love that left lasting memories.

Life took an unexpected turn when Victor was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an illness that forced him to make the difficult decision to sell his livestock. It was a heartbreaking change for someone who had devoted so much of his life to farming, but even through this challenge, he fought hard and regained his mobility. Though he was never quite the same afterward, his strength and determination never left him.

About a year ago, Dad faced another difficult challenge when he became ill. Mom was also in the hospital at the time, so he could no longer safely remain on his own, and the difficult decision was made for him to move into a Personal Care Home. For someone who had spent his whole life being independent, always tinkering, fixing things, offering advice on farming, driving well into his 90s, and caring for both himself and Mom, it was a very hard transition. Dad was a man who needed purpose and independence, and adjusting to life in care was not easy.

Yet even there, his character shone through. He quickly got to know the staff and residents, always ready with a smile, a story, or a bit of advice. He enjoyed the social activities and especially his nightly card games, where the friendly competition kept him engaged. He also loved watching the Winnipeg Jets, and when they played, you could be sure he had his Jets sweatshirt on, cheering them on.

What he looked forward to most were visits from family and the chance to be together. One of those special moments came recently when he celebrated his 92nd birthday, surrounded by past neighbours, his daughter Lori (Rodel), and his grandsons Sawyer and Kelbey. Sharing a meal, laughter, and birthday cake together was a moment he truly enjoyed, a reminder of how much family meant to him. It is that love of family that will live on in those he leaves behind.

Left to treasure his memory are his loving daughters, Marlene and Lori (Rodel), and his grandsons, Sawyer and Kelbey, who were his greatest pride and joy. In Victor’s own words...”2 Grandsons, Sawyer Kelbey, loved them dearly, they were my world to me.” He carried these words in his heart every day, wanting nothing more than for Sawyer and Kelbey to walk through life knowing they were truly “his world”. He is also survived by his sister, Diane (Wayne), his sister-in-law Irma, and his brother-in-law Carl, and numerous nieces and nephews. Victor’s kindness touched many lives, and while he leaves behind a void that cannot be filled, he will be forever held in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Victor’s family wishes to share their heartfelt gratitude with the staff at Morley House PCH in Shoal Lake and Country Meadows in Neepawa. Your kindness and patient hands provided more than just care; you provided a home and a community for Victor this past year. We are forever grateful for the dignity and love you showed him.

Dad and Grandpa, the love you gave us and the life you showed us how to live will stay with us always. You will forever be missed and forever remembered.

God looked down upon the earth

And saw your tired face.

He saw the road had grown so long,

And the hills too steep to climb.

So, he gently closed your weary eyes

And whispered soft and low,

“The time has come to rest, my child-

It’s time to come back home.”

He wrapped his loving arms around you

And carried you to peace.

The pain and struggle left behind,

Your weary journey ceased.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

A sorrow hard to bear,

But we find comfort knowing

God answered your prayers.

And you did not walk that road alone,

For part of us went too-

Our love, our memories, our hearts

Forever walk with you.

Those we love don’t leave us,

Their love still lights our way.

In every cherished memory

They are never far away.

For love does not end with goodbye,

Nor fade with passing years.

It lives within our hearts forever,

Through laughter, love, and tears.