Louise Nordick

This Eulogy is written using the Kapeller Family History Book, and most of the information was written by Louise. I was born the fourth child to Joe and Elizabeth Kapeller on Wednesday, October 10, 1934, NE 48 10 in the Connell Creek district. In 1938 we moved SE 32 47 10 to the homestead in the Megan district. There I grew up and went to the Megan School. After finishing grade school, I stayed home and worked on the family farm until I got married. On January 8, 1958 I married James August Nordick, son of John and Elizabeth Nordick of Engelfield. On January 11, 1958 we moved to The Pas, Manitoba where Jim was employed by Lesley and McLean Construction. We moved by train as there was no road from Arborfield to The Pas as yet. We settled into our little one-room trailer with no running water. In late February the Construction Company moved north to Pit Siding. This was when the Kelsey Power dam was being built. A new construction camp was being set up and Jim and I went north. I was the cook in camp and Jim was a mechanic. Life was not easy in camp those days. There was no electricity, running water, telephone, or doctor for miles and miles. I had to use snow banks as coolers/freezers. I cooked seven days a week, three meals a day, plus three coffee breaks, and everything was homemade. The only way in and out of camp was by train or small bush plane. When his job ended we moved to a camp in Thompson, Manitoba. We moved to a construction camp in Thompson in the spring of 1959. We were pioneers in Thompson as that was when the mine and town were just being built. Jim continued working as a heavy-duty mechanic and I was head cook at this camp. Still there was no electricity, running water or phone. Food supplies had to be ordered in advance and in bulk, and sent in by train. Personal needs were ordered from the Eaton’s mail order catalogue. I hadn’t seen my mother for a couple of years and she was lonesome for me. She surprised me by coming to visit me in the Thompson camp, arriving on my birthday October 10, 1960. I was sure surprised. Mother had never been in a camp like this before. Eighteen new men arrived in camp at this same time, meaning I had to cook for 36 now. I was in need of a good helper so my mother also got a surprise that day. After we gave her a cup of coffee and lunch my boss offered her a job for two months, and Mother accepted. She left camp on December 15, 1960 and got home in time for Christmas on the farm. I’m sure that was an experience Mother never forgot. Once the Thompson camp contract finished, we moved back to the Pas where Jim continued to work for Lesley and McLean Construction. In the spring of 1961 I went home to Arborfield to my mom and dad, as I was pregnant with our first child, and camp life was always on the move and no place for me now. Cindy Louise was born on June 8, 1961 in Zenon Park. Jim was working on the Erwood Road construction project so we saw him often. In October 1961 we moved back to The Pas as a family to a new two-bedroom trailer with electricity, running water, and a phone. I then became a full time mother and housewife, and enjoyed gardening and sewing. In the spring of 1962, Jim was hired on as a shop mechanic for the Manitoba Department of Highways. In 1972 he became shop supervisor. On May 1, 1968 our second child Lesa Marie was born in St. Anthony Hospital in The Pas. Our trailer got too small so we bought a house. Both girls finished their grade 12 in The Pas and continued their education at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. I am active in the Catholic Church as a CWL member and for a period of time I catered for the Catholic Church, cooking meals for hundreds of people at a time, never running out of food and always making sure the last person to eat always had the same choices as the first person in line. I also do volunteer work with local seniors, taking them for lunches, to medical appointments, taking cut flowers from my garden to St. Paul’s for the dining room tables, and hosting “granny birthday parties” for all the grannies in the neighbourhood. Jim and I both enjoy playing cards at the local senior centre in the winter. In the summer we enjoy gardening and staying at our daughter’s cabin on Clearwater Lake where we boat and fish for lake trout. We also enjoy just relaxing and visiting with friends that drop by the cabin. On September 4th 2007 our first and only granddaughter Ava was born to Lesa and Tony. I cried with a grateful heart as Lesa told me in a phone call from the hospital in Winnipeg where Ava was born that they had named her after me, Ava Louise Georgina. In 2009 Jim and I were awarded the Neighbour of The Year award by The Pas and District Chamber of Commerce in appreciation “for all you have done in your neighbourhood”. It was an unexpected honour that we greatly appreciated. Jim and I celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary on January 8, 2016. Louise passed away peacefully, with family by her side, Sunday, June 5, 2016, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, at the age 0f 81 years. In keeping with family wishes, cremation took place and a service of remembrance to celebrate Louise’s life was held Thursday, June 9, 2016, 2:00 pm, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, with Father Robert Laroche presiding. Music ministry was provided by Laura Ayres and Jacqueline Joyal. Scripture readings were proclaimed by Kerri Huculak, Colleen Collins. Eulogy was presented by Gary Herman (Louise’s godson) and memories of the heart was shared by Lesa Nordick. Honor Guard were the ladies of the CWL. Immediately following the service a reception was held for family and friends at the Guy Hall. Interment will take place at a later date in Arborfield, Saskatchewan. If friends so desire, donations to The Pas HandiVan, Box 3028, The Pas, Manitoba, R9A 1R7 or St. Paul’s Residence Equity Fund, c/o Activities, Box 240, The Pas, Manitoba, R9A 1K4, would be appreciated by Louise’s family.