Ferdinand (“Fred”) Schalla, age 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach on Tuesday, March 24, 2009. Fred was born in the R.M of Hanover on May 11, 1923 and lived most of his life in Steinbach. He married Barbara Blatz on August 14, 1947. Together, they had 4 children, Ed, Glen, Shirley and Gary. Barbara passed away on June 1, 1959. Fred then devoted himself to keeping his children together as a family and to raising them the best that he could. Fred and Barbara lived in Saskatchewan for a short time while Fred worked at a bulk fuel station. They returned to Steinbach, where Fred then worked for the Town of Steinbach’s Waterworks Department for a few years. For most of his working life, Fred was self-employed as a plumber and heating contractor. Over those years, Fred loved to tinker with small engines, especially lawnmowers. He was member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Steinbach. Fred is survived by two sisters, Louise (Dave) Falk and Eva McLoughry, and by his children, Ed, Glen, Shirley (Dave) Funk and Gary (Jackie), as well as grandchildren, Shawna (Richard) Kroeker, Natasha (Tim) Fry, Roxie (Jon) Poetker and Kelsey Schalla, and by his great-grandchildren, Jordan Kroeker, Christian Fry, Arieana Fry, Jaden Poetker, Haley Poetker and Micheal Poetker. Fred was predeceased by his wife Barbara, his parents, five brothers, two sisters, two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law. Fred spent the last year of his life at Rest Haven Nursing Home and always said that he was treated well and that he enjoyed the food - a simple but important joy for Dad. The family would like to thank the staff at Rest Haven for the love, care and attention provided to Dad and the family. The funeral will be held Friday, March 27, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, with interment at Heritage Cemetery. Donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the Haven Group, 177 Woodhaven Ave, Steinbach, MB, R5G 1K6, or to the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 465 Henry Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 0H1.