On March 10th, 2024, Mursel Harry Kluke entered the next phase of his journey. He passed peacefully and serenity to join family and friends in the Kingdom of Heaven. Mursel is lovingly remembered by wife of 52 years – Marge – his two children Maria (Dennis), and Chris (Kyla), and grandchildren Tristan, Annyka and Aidyn. Many nieces and nephews described Mursel as “their favorite Uncle”.
Mursel honoured his farming background. He grew up on the family farm in Benito, MB and earned his Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba. After various postings, Mursel’s career settled as a Farm Water Technologist with Manitoba Agriculture in Beausejour. He retired in 2009 after serving 36 years, and became known as “the Water Man”.
Mursel was very community oriented. He was president of his high school student council. He was a co-founder and president of the Splash Aquatic Centre in Beausejour – constructing and opening a public swimming pool for the town. He was president of the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, bringing the dance group to several international tours. He volunteered at various missions and fully embraced the concept of “feeding the poor in body and spirit” with all his heart. He is a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus, and he coached many of his children’s sports teams.
Mursel loved sports! As a young man he was a baseball back catcher in Benito, and an avid curler with the KUBISH rink in Beausejour. He loved fishing, boating, and golfing (although – he spent more time looking in the bush for golf balls than golfing). He collected hockey and baseball cards, and always had some kind of sports on TV. Many family holiday adventures included seeking out sports stadiums. He always enjoyed being outside and was often out picking mushrooms, saskatoons and berries. He loved showing and sharing his bounty with family and friends.
Mursel loved good food! He was crazy for lobster (even though the first time he enjoyed it, he thought it was mashed potatoes on a lobster shell). He loved every type of sweets and has stashes of candy, licorice, chips and chocolates in the house. Everyone who came to visit knew where the “treat cupboard” was. He often brought something sweet into the office to share with his co-workers. He even brought cinnamon buns into the dentist’s office!
He loved his Ukrainian culture and traditions, especially around the holidays! He was a deeply faithful man who kept his Ukrainian Catholic faith alive. At the end of his life, he instructed his family to “keep the traditions.” That is what we’ll do!
None of his accomplishments matched how much Mursel loved spending time with his family. His face would always light up when they would visit. Ever a family man, his legacy is rich in how much love he always gave his family. Relatives reminisce about Mursel making trouble and having fun in Benito with his many cousins, “decorating” couples’ cars at weddings, and pouring drink after drink. Mursel and Marge would often travel long distances to visit their brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews – and they cherished those visits very much. But Mursel’s greatest loves were being a devoted husband, Dad and Gida.
Anyone who knew him knew he was a quiet, gentle soul with a light heart who always put other’s considerations before his own. Even at the end, the way he passed made it as soft of a landing as possible for the ones who loved him the most. He wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Divine Liturgy will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Avenue, Winnipeg.
Donations in Mursel’s memory can be made to:
CancerCare Manitoba or Dr. Ali Rajput – Division of Neurology, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8. Dr. Rajput is conducting research in hopes of learning more about Mursel and his family’s rare involuntary tremors.
Mursel’s family would like to express gratitude to the Beausejour Hospital Staff for their compassionate care, especially Helen and Scottie.
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Randy Steinke
So sorry for your loss!
Randy Steinke
So very sorry for your loss!
Shirley Cherrey
Very sorry to hear of Mursel’s passing. I was shopping with my great niece at the Beausejour Coop last summer and he engaged her in a talk immediately then bestowed her a toonie so she could buy a treat. Reading the beautiful memories of above reminded me of this kindness displayed by Mursel. Condolences Marge and family on your loss of Mursel.
Debbie Beger
Soo Very Sorry to hear, enjoyed our little visits when we ran into each other uptown. I’ve known Murcel since the early 80’s. Condolences to Marge and their Family and Friends ..❤️
Olga Wasyliuk
So sorry for your loss.
Valerie Wing
Mursel has a very special place in my heart. I close my eyes and picture his always smiling face. He had a calm patient way and taught me a lot about the Ukrainian side of our family.
Much love to Marge, Maria and Chris. I know you will miss him but the good memories will get you through.
Bernice Moran (Huska)
Uncle Murse will always be remembered with love for his kind, mischievous, fun loving nature! I’ll never forgot the summer spend with Aunt Marge and Uncle Murse as a student while they were building their house. Even after Aunt Marge sunk in the newly laid cement, Uncle Murse could only laugh and say ‘Oh Marge’ despite his numerous warnings not to use the front door.
Rest in Peace Uncle Murse. You will be sadly missed, but loved for an eternity
Patrick and Louise Lachance
He was a wonderful kind man who had time for everyone May He Rest In Peace
Ed and Charlotte Dubray
Dear Margie & Family: Please accept our sincere condolences upon the passing of Mursel. We have known both of you since we moved to Beausejour back at Christmas of 74, you and Charlotte at the hospital and Mursel and I at the Provincial Building. Mursel & I shared one common thing, we both were raised in the Swan River Valley which probably endeared our friendship even more. Over the years we did many things together to not only enrich the community but also our families. Whether it was organizing workers for the fundraising Bingo games at the Casino or helping to plan and construct much needed recreation facilities within the community, you could count on Mursel to be involved one way or another. On March 10th our community lost a valuable asset, I lost a very good friend but heaven has gained another angel.
Rest In peace my friend.
Virginia Kubish
My sincere condolences , Marge, Maria, and Chris and families, upon your recent loss of a husband , father and grandfather, as I know that he will be missed forever, but may your memories of him always bring smiles of his loving nature. I also have many memories of the times we spent together, so now you will all have a special Angel watching over you. May he Rest In Peace.
Irene Kowalchuk
Marge & Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Mursel’s passing. I am holding you all close in my thoughts.
I still remember his great wit and his huge genuine smile. And as I was reading about his life, I see that he touched a lot of lives in a very positive way.
I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that his light will continue to shine in the great memories that you’ll have in your hearts forever.
Susan Kaatz
Marge and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Mursel was such a nice man. Always stopped to talk wherever you were. I Remember every summer he would come to pick our wild cranberries so juice could be made.
Keep your memories close.
Garwood Robb
I am so sorry to learn of your husband’s passing. May the good times and the great memories sustain you throughout this difficult journey. Condolences to you Margaret and to your family.
Dave and Val
Our deepest condolences to Auntie Marge Christopher, Maria and their family.
Uncle Mursel will always be remembered as a very special person.
When Dad passed Mursel and Marge drove from Beausejour to Thunder Bay and spent a lot of time with us. He gave us an amazing amount of comfort and guidance during that very difficult time. That will never be forgotten.
When I was in residence at university for 2 years alone, not knowing anyone I spent many weekends on the farm with Mursel and Marge. Mursel was like a second father to me. He by example taught me a lot of how a man should be. He was strong, smart, kind and generous. Never did I leave without a care package to munch on the next week back in school. For that I am thankful and it will never be forgotten.
When Val’s relatives visited from Hungary he invited them to Maria’s wedding and made them feel extremely welcome as was done on many occasions that they hosted on the farm for the entire family. For that we are thankful and it will never be forgotten.
Mursel was a wonderful man, uncle, teacher and father figure. He was quiet for the most part but if needed would say and do whtever was needed. He cared about all especially his family. I could feel that every time I was in his presence.
I know he is in a peaceful beautiful place right now and will be looking down on us from time to time.
He will be deeply missed!
Dave Donahue
Marge and family I am so sorry for your loss. Mursel was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He will be missed by many.
John & Mary Anne Nicholson
Marge- Words are inadequate to express how sorry we are about Mursel’s passing. We trust that your faith will uphold you, as you gather strength and comfort from your loving family and friends who surround and support you. And please remember that you remain in our prayers. ❤️
Steve Dick and Luana Martins
I was so saddened to hear of the illness and passing of my favourite uncle, Mursel. I have lots of great memories of spending time with Uncle Mursel and Aunt Marge as a child, including Uncle Mursel giving me my first tractor driving lesson! Family gatherings at their home were always full of fun, food, and laughter. Even after I moved to Waterloo for University, and then to Toronto, visits with Uncle Mursel remained jovial occasions, as he was always full of humour and lively conversation. He invariably put you at ease, and was genuinely interested in what you were up to. One of the last times I saw him, he gifted Luana and I with a lovely kerosene lamp; I’m glad to have it to serve as a reminder of Mursel. May his memory be a blessing to Aunt Marge, cousins Chris, and Maria, and their families.
Robert and Veronica Osiowy
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marge and family at this difficult time. May Mursel rest in peace.
Danny and Jannet Gryba
Our thoughts are prayers are with you at this time.
Bob & Veronica Osiowy
Marge
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
I remember you bringing some of Mursel’s stash of goodies to work to share with us. Also the morel mushrooms that Mursel picked and shared with us.
You have many great memories to cherish.
Mary Stadnyk
Marge and Family, we were so shocked to hear of the passing of Mursel Paul and I send our condolence to you and your family,and we will keep in touch with all our Love
Gerald and Pamela Hawranik
Sincere condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marge and family. I knew Murcel from many community events and he was a supporter of our community. Pamela worked with him at the government building and found him to be a person who was great to work with.
Debbie and Larry Okolita
Our sincere condolences at this sad time.
Bonnie And Tom
Sorry for your loss. Tom and I will miss our little chats on the corner when he would be driving by . Always had time to stop and say hello.
Eugenia Mydynski
My deepest sympathy to you Marge and family May Murcel rest in peace Eternal memory
Donna Ray-Litke
Marge and family, My condolences on the loss of Mursel. Cherish all your happy memories which will help at this sad time and in the future.
Rosemarie Winnicki
May the thoughts of all of the wonderful memories comfort you , Marge and family ,at this difficult time . Our heartfelt sympathies for your loss.