Obituary of Elmer Eugene Quasso

Eugene Quasso of Steinbach MB, passed away peacefully at the age of 87, surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Eugene is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Lottie Quasso (Wiebe) and his children Laurie Barkman (Chad), Louis Quasso (Cindy), Dorothy Amond (Victor), his grandchildren Erik (Kendra), Amy, Tristen, Tyler (Tessa), Ryan, and Savannah and four great grandchildren. He is also lovingly remembered by his brothers-in-law, Peter Wiebe (Norma) and Leonard Dueck and sister-in-law Velma Wiebe as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Eugene was predeceased by his mother Katherine Quasso-Giesbrecht, father Karl Quasso, stepfather Diedrich Giesbrecht, his father and mother-in-law Peter and Agnes Wiebe, his brothers Louis and Charles, and sisters and brothers-in-laws Pauline and Alfred Penner, Esther and Neil Penner, and Geraldine and Elden Warkentin, and his nieces Diane Penner, Kathy (Penner) Warkentin, and Edith and Melvin Penner. He was also predeceased by numerous in-laws from Lottie’s family.

On Feb 1, 1936, Eugene made his debut by being born prematurely in the middle of a blizzard at his rural home near Morris, MB., delivered by a local midwife. He was just under four pounds and was kept warm by being placed in a shoebox in the warming oven!

Eugene was raised on a farm in Rosenort, MB., and enjoyed living right beside a river. When he was four years old, his father passed away. Eugene’s older brother, Louis, died in action in WW2 in February of 1945. Shortly after, his mother remarried, and they moved to the Landmark area.

After grade 9, he left school and worked at various jobs until he decided to apprentice as a mechanic in his early 20’s. When he finished, he moved to Steinbach and began his career.

At the age of 18, Eugene accepted Christ as his Savior and followed through with baptism in Greenland, MB., by Minister John M Penner.

Eugene met the love of his life when he was nine years old but did not recognize it until he was almost 30. Eugene and Lottie were married in Steinbach on April 17, 1965. Their marriage was blessed with three children. Laurie and Louis were born on May 5, 1966, and Dorothy was born on June 23, 1971.

In 1974, Eugene went back to school to become a teacher and a year later the family moved to Dominion City, MB., where he taught Power Mechanics at Roseau Valley Collegiate, until his retirement at the age of 57.

Eugene and Lottie returned to Steinbach to live where they also spent four years teaching at private schools, as well as one very memorable year living in Newfoundland.

Husband, Dad, Uncle, Brother, and teacher, a friend to many in his life. He enjoyed challenging us with his questions, quick wit, meaningful conversations, and caring demeanour made him so easy to spend time with and love. He will be missed by many.

Eugene’s hobbies were travelling and being outside fishing, golfing, skiing, and snowmobiling. One of his favorite travel memories was spending 6.5 weeks on a camping trip to the east coast with his family.

Viewing and memories will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, MB. To join the family for the viewing, click HERE prior to the service. 

Interment will be held at the Greenland Cemetery, on Monday, January 29, 2024, at 12:30 pm with the memorial service to follow at 2:00 pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, MB. A light lunch will follow the service. To join the family for the memorial, click HERE prior to the service. 

Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at the St. Boniface Hospital for their level of care and compassion to Eugene and the family. We also are so grateful for the messages of love and support from family and friends.