Obituaries

MONTIE ARNOLD LOWE

 April 17, 1941 – January 15, 2020

Our much-loved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully at the age of 78.

Montie will be missed by Geri, wife of 45 years; children, Carmen (Steve), Monica (Glen), and Graeme (Connie); and grandchildren Matthew, Elizabeth, and Finley.  He will also be missed by his siblings, Greta (Jim), Anne (Ken), Gilbert (Leona), Bernard (Leslie), Barry (Rose), and other extended family. Montie was predeceased by parents, Ted and Frances Lowe, brother Wallace, parents-in-law Neil and Elizabeth Unruh.

Montie was born and raised on a farm in Austin, MB surrounded by a large family including uncles, aunts and cousins. He attended Teacher’s College in Winnipeg, completed a BA, and taught in Norway House, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg, MB. Always strongly political, he was proud to serve as an executive assistant for the NDP ministers of Municipal Affairs and Northern Affairs (1969-75) in MB.

In 1969, at age 27, Montie was diagnosed with kidney disease and became part of the early dialysis program. In 1970, he received an incredible gift – a kidney transplant, the fifth one performed in Winnipeg. This opened up a new life for him. Montie married Geri Unruh in 1974, they travelled Europe in 1975, purchased Caliper Lake Lodge in Nestor Falls, ON in 1978, and had three children between 1977-81.  The years in Ontario were incredibly active and fulfilling – teaching and administrating at Whitefish Bay First Nation; running and expanding the lodge, building a house, and raising a family with Geri.

In 1987 they moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to health care and family as Montie’s health declined again. He continued to teach and consult on indigenous education as his health allowed. In 1996 he started dialysis again. On January 1, 2002 Montie was fortunate to receive a second kidney transplant.  With renewed health, he travelled, savoured time with friends and family, and welcomed an expanded family. Montie, always respectful of the transplant gifts he had received, pursued a healthy lifestyle and kept active by cycling, bowling, and gardening. He was proud to cycle weekly to the Forks from Charleswood with his friend Art, and to win a National Bowling title in 2006.

While transplants gave Montie a long and productive life, health challenges continued to arise as the years went on. Our thanks to the many healthcare professionals who have supported Montie over the last 50 years: the transplant teams at HSC under Dr. Ashley Thomson, Dr. John Jeffrey and Dr. David Rush, with supports in recent years from Dr. J. Embil, Dr. L. Sigurdson, Dr. R. Kroeker, Dr. AW Hamam, home care nursing and the palliative team at Riverview Health Centre.

We feel blessed to have had him in our lives for so many years.

His positive attitude and strength of character have guided us.

A Celebration of Life reception will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 603 Wellington Crescent on Monday on Monday, January 27, 2020 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., with a tribute at 2:30 p.m.

Donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, in Montie’s memory, are appreciated.

Condolences may be sent to www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com