Nickolai Poetker

Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we, the family, announce the passing of Nickolai Jacob Poetker, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, on Thursday, August 8th, 2024. He passed away on the morning of August 8th, at Seven Oaks Hospital, Winnipeg, MB. The grief of losing his wife Mary, and the struggle of his own failing health took a toll on his body until he passed into the presence of his Savior and Lord.

Nick was born in Winnipeg, MB., on September 12, 1928, the third child in a family, that was to become a family of 10, with four brothers and five sisters. His parents moved to Manitoba from Russia in 1926 with one child, and began to make a new life for themselves in Canada. Tragedy struck the family, in 1933 as Nick’s mother passed away from complications in childbirth, and his father was left with five children, his own mother and a brother-in-law to support. Eventually the family was able to purchase a farm in Lena, MB., and his father remarried and five more children were added to their family.

Through Sunday School and DVBS, the Lord impressed on Nick the need to place his trust and faith in Jesus Christ. He completed schooling to grade 8 and then because of lack of a high school nearby, he worked on the farm until the opportunity came to attend Winkler Bible School. God led him to enter the vocation of teaching children, and at Winkler he also took note of a young lady, who would become the love of his life, his biggest support, the mother of his children, and his best friend. He and Mary were married in 1955 after Bible school and settled in Winnipeg where dad began his education to first complete his high school education and then train for teaching. This was done through night classes, while working and supporting his family. Upon completing his University education, he accepted a position in Rosenort Collegiate, beginning a life of students, children and involvement in a church community.

Music was always a big part of Nick’s life, learning harmony, and then singing in quartets and choirs. He passed the love of music on to his family. During summer camping trips, the family often sang and dad would teach the kids how to sing harmony by hearing the notes and singing along to various songs, usually gospel songs. Nick taught in Rosenort for 11 years and then another 19 years in Morden. During this time, Nick also became heavily involved in the church community. His administrative gifts led him to be involved in many committees and governance work in the local church. As his career wound down and children were married and grandchildren began arriving, Nick’s interests became less structured, involving his grandchildren, either through golf or games, swinging them on the swing in the back yard or including them in his own projects . He always seemed to have time and interest in whatever they were doing.

In 2002, after his retirement Nick and Mary decided move to Winnipeg and spent the last 22 years living in the Lindenwood Estates community meeting new and old friends, and helping out family and friends during their retirement years. Travel also was not far away with the freedom retirement gave. Nick always loved to see and explore new things and places, and each vacation was never quite long enough, for him, but definitely long enough for Mary. As the birthdays continued to come, his hearing loss became an issue, but his physical body although slower, kept right on going, right up to walking 9 holes of golf at 91 years of age. The last years have been a challenge with Mary’s failing health and her passing seemed to somewhat take the life out of him as well.

Nick is survived by his children, Laureen Brookes (Geoff), Ron Poetker (Pat), Marvin Poetker (Rhonda), nine grandchildren: Courtney Brookes, Hillary Brookes, Sean Brookes, Jamie Hodgmann (Kyle), Joshua Poetker (Kassia), Ali Poetker, Drew Poetker (Trisha), Breanne Locke (Joe) and Nicholas Poetker. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren; Sophia WoodsBrookes, Keira and Levi Locke, Emma Poetker, Armando Campbell, Nora Poetker. Nick is survived by his siblings, Vi Giesbrecht (Norm), Mary and Betty Poetker, Alf Poetker (Linda), Bill Poetker (Diana), Herb Poetker (Wilma) and Hedy Funk.

Nick is predeceased by his parents, Jacob Poetker, Maria Poetker (Martens), his stepmother Maria Poetker (Weins) , brother Jake Poetker and sister Tinie Weatherly.

The funeral service for Nick Poetker will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Portage Avenue Church, Winnipeg, MB.

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