Funeral For: David Stoesz 
Funeral Date: January 22, 2024 
David Stoesz, 84, of Winnipeg passed away Sunday, January 14th at Saint Boniface Hospital. He is survived by his wife carol, 3 sons, 1 brother and their families. 
He was predeceased by his parents and numerous brothers and sisters. 
The funeral service for David Stoesz will be held Monday, January 22nd at 11am at Nassau Street Church, Winnipeg, with burial at 3pm at Bergfeld Mennonite Cemetery
Viewing will be held at the church prior to the service. 
Donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity. 
Arrangements by Friends Funeral Service, Winnipeg. 

 

David Stoesz, 84 years old of Winnipeg, MB suddenly passed away from a heart attack on January 14, 2024. He was at home in his chair, and his wife, Carol was near him.

Dave was born on November 2, 1939, and grew up on a farm in Thames (Bergfeld). Dave was the 12th (and youngest) child of Corneluis G. Stoesz and Elizabeth (Giesbrecht) and because there was a large age difference at home, he was often taken care of by his older siblings.

Dave moved to Winnipeg and became a long-haul truck driver when he was only 17. There he met and married Carol Bidochka on February 25, 1967. Around that time, he became a city bus driver in order to be closer to home. Years later, when the buses were revamped becoming less challenging for him to drive, he switched careers and became a carpenter. Dave and Carol welcomed three boys, the twins—Roger and Trevor and five years later, Ken.

As a result of Carol’s extended illness in the early ‘80s, Dave came to faith in Christ. He and Carol were baptized in 1989 by his older brother Ed, who was then pastor of Gospel Mennonite Church (now Nassau Street Church) in Winnipeg. Apparently, Ed had been challenging him for some time to find spiritual help in raising his three boys. He sure needed it with the three of them!

His faith in Christ guided his decisions, and the love of Christ enabled him to love and serve others. As a result, he became a faithful husband in sickness and health, a devoted and caring father to his three boys, and later a devoted grandpa to his five grandchildren. His love of sports and his family led him to become a coach for his kids in hockey and soccer. He attended many sporting events for his children and grandchildren, always providing great encouragement. He was an ongoing source of advice on home issues and repairs for his three sons and their families and kept up a good friendship with each of them into their adult years. Some of his greatest joys was playing with his children and grandchildren, his laughter was contagious and came easy even when life was challenging. He was naturally an optimistic person always believing, hoping and working for the best, whether at work, at home or with his friends.

In the late 90’s, Dave took his carpentry skills and started working with Habitat for Humanity, which became a joy for him to serve others. In 2006, Dave and Carol went down to Louisiana, with MDS, to help with the relief efforts from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina; while there he helped re-build homes while Carol helped provide meals. Dave participated in many Habitat builds in Winnipeg and in other parts of Manitoba where he found it inspiring and humbling to work and train volunteers; he never fully retired from Habitat, but was beginning to slow down as he aged.

Dave and Carol enjoyed fishing and being around lakes and woods. So, in 1987, Dave, with plenty of help from family and friends, built a cabin at Wallace Lake. That place provided some great memories for family and friends and an enjoyable summer retreat. Dave also enjoyed singing, and he and Carol sang with a group of other seasoned adults in a group called “The Singalong Group.” Dave said they were named that because while some of them could sing, the rest just sang along. More recently, he had been singing with a group called “The Keenagers”; both groups brought songs of faith and hope to residents of nursing homes.

Dave will be greatly missed by his wife, Carol, of nearly 57 years, as well as his children and grandchildren, Roger & Dana (Sarah and Kahlia), Trevor, Ken & Shonet (Nate, Anthony, and Olivia). He will also be missed by his older brother Ed, many nephews and nieces, other family and friends from work and church. He was predeceased by his parents and numerous siblings, and we are sure he is enjoying an incredible reunion with them in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity.

Funeral will be held on Monday, January 22nd, 11am at Nassau Street Church (232 Nassau Street N., Winnipeg).
Officiant: Al Letkeman
Burial: Bergfeld cemetery
Pallbearers: Denis Stoesz, Dave Stoesz, Harry Bidochka, Nate Stoesz, Anthony Stoesz, Olivia Stoesz