Obituary of Carl Machej

It is with deep sorrow that we the family, announce the passing of Carl Joseph Machej, age 95, of Sprague, Manitoba, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Carl is survived by his brothers Edward and Gordon (April), children Virginia (John) Tost, Valerie (Neil) Happychuk, Murray (Corinne) Machej, Melodie (Colin) Ritchie, grandchildren Luke, Lacey (Brady), Charity (Dean), Cole, Alysha (Erin), Carlin (Kayla), great-grandsons Ryder and Hudson. He will be fondly remembered by his sister-in-law, Elsie Listmayer as well as many nieces and nephews.

Carl was predeceased by his wife Katherine, mother Helen and father Charles.

Our Dad, Carl Joseph Machej was born in Hertnik, Slovakia, on August 23, 1928, to Helen & Charles Machej. In 1936, Carl and his mother Helen, travelled to Canada to join Charles in Sprague, Manitoba. Carl attended and graduated from Sprague school. He started working at 12 years old at the Holmgren lumber yard. When he was 18 years old, Dad worked in Winnipeg at the TD Bank and T. E. Eaton Company. In 1950, Dad returned to Sprague to work as a store manager for H. E. Holmgren & Son Company.

Dad met the love of his life, Katherine Listmayer at a dance in September 1954. They were married on September 17, 1955, and over the next nine years were blessed with four children who kept them very busy.

Dad had many interests – politics, farming, reading, dancing, traveling, golfing, curling, bowling, coaching baseball and hockey. Dad loved animals and had many pets in his lifetime. Dad was active in the community as a school trustee, member of the Chamber of Commerce and political party campaign manager. In 1974, Mom and Dad purchased the Solo store in Sprague which is Carl and Kay’s Fine Foods today. Dad became Postmaster in 1984.

Dad’s greatest joy in life was his family. He enjoyed family visits and celebrations. Dad was a friendly, kind, and helpful man. He always had a smile and a firm handshake for everyone he met. Dad’s main values in life were to always work hard, love your family and believe that God is always with you.

As a family, we would like to thank the doctors, nurses and health care aides at Vita Personal Care Home and Bethesda Regional Health Centre for their care of Dad during his time there.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of The Assumption Roman Catholic Church in South Junction, Manitoba. There will be a luncheon at the Sprague Community Hall following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vita Personal Care Home or CancerCare Manitoba.