MICHAEL ARTHUR KALMAKOFF

Mike was born in Brandon, MB and lived here until 1964 when mom moved to St. Boniface to marry Phil Labelle. He left school at an early age to start making a living. Mike worked for a number of years in the shoe repairing business, baking for Tim Horton's, making hats, but mostly in the clothing and textile industry.

Mike spent about 10 years in the Melville, Yorkton area where he upgraded to grade 12. He worked hard delivering milk door to door during this time also. It was where many strong life long bonds were formed with friends and relatives that got to know who Mike really was. If Mike had 2 shirts, he would give you one and probably the better of the two. No one was judged.

Mike met Michelle in Yorkton in 1987 and spent the next 33 years together. Cassandra was born in 1988 to join siblings Cherry, Mel, Mike Jr, Letitia and Curtis along with Brandy.

 A year ago, sister Denise had a house fire that left her homeless. Mike and Michelle lived in a 400 square foot, 2 room apartment. They made room for her ‘til she could get back on her feet.

 This past summer Mike knew the end was near and with the last 29 years spent in Winnipeg, he wanted to visit Saskatchewan one last time. Berin drove from Canora to Winnipeg and back to Saskatchewan to visit friends and relatives and then back to Winnipeg. No sooner than Mike got to Winnipeg, he heard his last remaining Uncle Richard passed away. Berin just got back to Canora, and he never thought twice to go back and pick up Mike, get him to the funeral gathering in Russell and Langenburg, back to Winnipeg with a final destination to Canora. Berin and Laura (special cousins), you are both admired and appreciated.

Mike, we will miss your quick laughter, smile, adversity, wit, heart and generosity. You didn't have much, but you had everything.

Michael was predeceased by his daughter Brandy, parents Mike, Agnes and Phil, sisters Annie and Denise, brothers Ken, Jim, Tom Bill, Alphonse, Lucien and Henry.

Besides his children Michael is survived by his loving wife Michelle, siblings Vernon (Cathy), Sally (Sylvie), Susie (Lawrence), Charlotte, Edgar, Darlene (Greg), Lenny, Kim, Dora (Harry), Rose (Curly), Yvonne (Art), Ernest (Denise), Irene, Sylvia, Sally, Marjorie, Pauline, Rita (Aime), Teresa (Albert), Phyllis (Omer), Edward (Jackie), Lydia (Jim), George (Rose), and Georgina (John).

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A celebration of Mike’s life will be announced at a later date, when we are safely able to come together. In the meantime, Mike's family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. They also encourage the sharing of photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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