Gunnar Deguns

It is with great sadness that the family of Gunnar Deguns announces his passing on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center with his family at his side. Gunnar was born on April 19, 1927 in Latvia. He was the only son of the late Otto and Maria Deguns. Gunnar 's early years were spent on the family farm where he learned many of the skills that carried him through his entire life. After WWII, Gunnar came to Canada to start a new life. Here, he met and wed his wife, Dzidra. Together, they shared their lives raising their family. Gunnar worked as an iron worker (local 759) on various projects throughout Northwestern Ontario and Northern Manitoba. He took great pride in all his work and was always available to family and friends with various projects throughout his life. Gunnar will always be remembered by his son Walter (Kathy) Deguns and his daughter Daina MacNiven (Don) and by his older sister Elvira Burka of Latvia. Also left to remember Gunnar are his grandchildren. He was very proud of all of them and in all of the achievements. He was especially proud of the fact that all had gone to university and completed their degrees. Left to remember him are Eric Deguns (fiancé Katie Whitehead) of Santa Barbara, California (enroute), Jason MacNiven of Walnut Creek, California (enroute), Jordan MacNiven (here) and Pamela Deguns (here). A special friend and companion, Elizabeth Arthur is also left to remember Gunnar. He was predeceased by his parents and by his wife, Dzidra in 1994. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 23, 2007 when family and friends will gather at Jenkens Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. for services celebrated by Rev. Arleen Berg of Hilldale - Zion Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held Thursday evening (tonight) from 7 - 9 p.m. at Jenkens Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Mountain View Cemetery."