Date of Death: August 30, 2024
Leonard Gessner of Whitewood, passed away Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at the age of 95 years.
Leonard was born in Neudorf, SK, in 1929. His parents were Jacob and Karolina Gessner.
Leonard is survived by his children, Barry (Donna) Gessner, Greg (Linda) Gessner and Suzanne Gessner (Gunnar Hansson); grandchildren Lori (Dave) Fuller, Sheila (Kelsey) Litke, Jennifer (Tyler) Holowaty, Kayla Gessner, Yrsa Gunnarsd¢ttir and step-grandchild El°s Gunnarsd¢ttir; great-grandchildren Heather Fuller (Mitchell Seman), Christopher Fuller, Victoria Litke, Everett Holowaty and Kalina Holowaty; sister-in-law Dorothea Baber; brother-in-law Warren Polton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Ella Gessner; his siblings and their spouses, Margaret (Ed) Sabirsh, Minnie (Frank) Toth and Walter (Kay) Gessner; and on Ella’s side, Alfred (Hilde) Ruecker, Edna (Ed) Stack, Ernie Baber and Joan Polton.
Leonard and Ella were married in 1951 in Lemberg and moved to Whitewood in 1952, where Leonard took up employment at Foster’s Garage as an automotive mechanic. Len and family built their home on Southesk Street in 1959, and he was still living on his own in the house at the time of his passing. Len was a member of the General Motors Technicians’ Guild for over 25 years, receiving many awards for his service. He worked at Foster’s until its closing and then moved to Whitewood Service Centre until his retirement in 1994. After retirement, he kept busy with woodworking, gardening and helping on his son Barry’s farm. He loved his shop in the back yard, where he spent countless hours, joking that all he needed was a bed, and he could spend all his time out there. Len had the ability to MacGyver anything. If something needed fixing, he was your man. If it stumped him, he would take it apart to see how it worked and find a solution. Len’s mechanical knowledge was shared with and greatly appreciated by his children. His grandchildren fondly remember many hours helping Grandpa with various projects in the shop, playing board games, or enjoying popcorn and a movie together. Grandpa always kept a screwdriver and other interesting things in his shirt pocket which fascinated the young children in his life who loved to crawl into his lap to see what was in there.
St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wapella was a very important part of Len’s life, and he cherished the many friendships developed through the congregation. Len was known for his gentle, quiet personality and a quick wit. He touched many lives and will be profoundly missed.
Donations in Leonard’s memory can be made to Canadian Lutheran World Relief (www.clwr.org) or a charity of your choice. At Leonard’s request, there will be no funeral service.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Whitewood and Melville.
