Obituary of Gorden Pachal

Peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2020, Gorden at the age of 71 left this earthly world to enter his heavenly home.

Gorden will be lovingly remembered by his wife Lorraine, of 51 years, two children, Terry (Rachel), Jodi (Glen) Davies and four grandchildren Jordan, Kaylee, Jax and Kash. He is also survived by his siblings Janice (Rodney) Beckman and Lloyd (Cathy), many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We are comforted that he is freed from the numerous limitations caused by various medical circumstances.

Gorden was predeceased by his parents Henry and Milena Pachal and brother Gilbert.
 

Gorden was born in Steinbach, Manitoba on September 4, 1949. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Friedensfeld. 

Gorden’s interest in carpentry sparked during his youth. While visiting his grandfather he was provided with some wood and tools so he could tinker and create. After working on various construction crews, he decided to begin his own business that later became known as Pachal Homes. During his early career, he built many custom homes. As time went on, his focus switched to building and selling spec houses as well as a family cabin, 15 houses for himself, 5 for his son and 1 for his daughter. Gorden was forced to retire at the age of 68 when his health no longer allowed him to continue his career.

Gorden married Lorraine Rempel on October 18,1969. Gorden and Lorraine enjoyed the outdoors. Evenings and weekends were spent waterskiing with siblings and cousins, fishing and camping at his favourite spot, Big Whiteshell Lake.

Gorden enjoyed a variety of activities and occasions. Everything from horseback riding, playing horseshoes, bowling, cutting wood with his uncles in the Sandilands, mushroom picking, growing and canning vegetables, raising his own meat, hunting, butchering, sausage and gritzwurscht making, kleasel parties, snowmobiling, woodworking, cooking, fishing, camping, family get-togethers, birthdays, and especially Christmas.

Family trips were also a highlight. Gorden and Lorraine took Terry and Jodi on summer vacations that included many trips out west, as well as visiting Wisconsin Dells and Niagara Falls. Numerous summers were enjoyed at our seasonal campsite at Lilac Campground with friends and then 15 years at the family cabin in Rainy River, Ontario, where new and old friends gathered regularly. Special highlights for Gorden were when vacations included the grandchildren. Trips included weeklong Mexico vacations, a cruise, weekend getaways and many hunting trips.

Family and friends were the center of dad’s world. The door was always open to welcome anyone and everyone into the home. Even if the company’s intentions were to drop in only for a few minutes, Gorden’s stories and laugh were contagious and soon you were sucked into staying for hours and being on the receiving end of great company, good food and many drinks.

It didn’t matter if you wanted advice or not he was always giving it. Especially in the kitchen. Just a week ago he checked up on our kleasel making skills assuming we must have made many errors. He was right. So as he asked if we did this or that we quickly fixed it. Gorden was known to cook many delicious meals and care packages. He also enjoyed experimenting with recipes that he would “doctor” himself. Specialties included elaborate pizzas, barbecues, soups, Christmas cake, kleasel and disguising wild meat for the company.

The family wishes to thank the home care staff and the nursing staff for the compassionate care he received at home, as well as Dr. Duerksen and the staff at Bethesda hospital for the care they provided to him.

The private family funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Livestream will be available begining at 1:30 p.m., please click the following link to view. https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160808550490598