With heavy hearts, we announce that Norman John Nakka passed away on December 8, 2013 peacefully, and surrounded by family. Left to celebrate and cherish his life are his beloved wife Sandra Nakka (nee Krampetz), his children Trevor (Diana), Heidi (Karl), Kyla (Darryl) and Tyler (Anna), as well as grandchildren Megan, Rachel, Kara, Kaitlan, Charlie, Anja, Nate and Clark, sister Lorna (Carl) and many nieces and nephews. Buster was predeceased by his parents William and Mabel, infant grandson Ethan, sister Diane Krysko, nephews Erin Feilberg and Braden Andersen, and mother and father-in-law Rose and Arthur Krampetz. Norm grew up in McMunn, and lived there his whole life. His early years were spent working at his father’s service station on the Trans-Canada Highway in McMunn with Sandra, as well as in the forestry business, or “the bush” as we know it better. Working in the bush with his father established Norm’s path for his entire working life. Dad carried on the tradition of his father and built the business through the acquisition of additional forestry quotas and prospered for many years. This business and his hard work were the foundation of his family with Sandra. His business supported all of his children’s success in their chosen endeavours, including higher education and professional careers, and Tyler following Dad’s footsteps into the bush. He spent his entire life and business career outdoors, and loved the ability to be self-employed as an independent businessman. His word and a handshake were all he needed when dealing with the many business partners, contractors and fellow forest industry colleagues. Buster was well respected by many, which resulted in his being recognized with many awards, and elected the President of the South-East Quotaholders Association, where he led his peers through various challenges and opportunities for many years. Dad was also highly regarded by the many people he met and worked with in Pine Falls, Kenora, Fort Frances, Barwick and Dryden, where he delivered wood over a 5 decade+ career. Everybody knew Buster, and admired his hard work, easy smile and quick conversation. He had the opportunity to work closely with his brother-in-law Carl Feilberg and his nephews, as well as many others in the local community. Of all of the people that Dad worked with, however, his partnership with Paul Andersen was most notable. They were nearly inseparable as friends, relatives, neighbours and business partners for over 50 years, with nothing but support and mutual respect for each other. In later years, Dad had the opportunity to work with his son Tyler, carrying on the family business with an echo of the relationship with his own father when he started working in the bush. While Dad’s work was important, his true passion was his family. It all started when he met Sandra, the love of his life, in high school in Whitemouth in 1961, and they settled in McMunn not long thereafter. Dad loved photography, camping, sports, travelling, his boats and the outdoors, and he did all of these things with family. He truly put his family first, whether it was attending their countless hockey, volleyball and softball games and various other sporting endeavours, school and music activities, or pulling his kids waterskiing. The family camping trips in Sioux Narrows, visits across the border for long weekends and many other family trips and motor home ventures will provide endless fond family memories. Mom and Dad travelled to many places, including Finland, parts of Europe, many North American cities, and Alaska. Pets were also a part of Dad’s family life, including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and even a goat! Dad was a sportsman in his own right, playing football, curling, hunting and participating in track and field in his younger years. Later, he was an avid and passionate football fan, attending many Blue Bomber games; he continually followed their activities and went to several Grey Cups, including Cups the Bombers played in. Dad also enjoyed attending Jets games, both before they left and after they returned, and also had the opportunity to attend the 2010 Olympics and a Calgary Flames 2004 Stanley Cup championship game. Dad’s legacy is his family; his words, beliefs and practices are fully evident in all of his children and grandchildren, and his gifts of respect, hard work, good humour and “family first” values will be cherished and followed forever. A celebration of Buster’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13 at Reynolds Community Hall in Prawda, Manitoba. Private family interment will follow at Whitemouth Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to Manitoba CancerCare, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E OV9 or a charity of your choice.