Obituary of Jacob Henry Poetker

Jake Poetker was born in Steinbach, MB., on January 20, 1945 and passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 11, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Jake married his sweetheart, Dorothy in August of 1969. They made their home in Brandon, MB., where they raised their two daughters Lara and Tricia. After university, both daughters moved to the U.S.A for work and started families of their own. Jake and Dorothy eventually became proud grandparents to four beautiful grandchildren. 
In 1997, Jake and Dorothy decided to get back to their roots and moved back to Steinbach to enjoy their retirement years together. During this time, they discovered their love for travel. Jake and Dorothy made numerous trips to both coasts of the United States to visit their daughters and grandchildren. Additionally, they travelled to the Caribbean on several family cruises, to Mexico and, most memorably, to Italy on a five week family vacation in 2017. With their children, grandchildren and extended families, they spent four incredible weeks in Tuscany and one week in Rome. Although Jake had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s prior to this trip, he did extremely well keeping up with long days of walking and touring, swimming and watching sunsets and, of course eating exquisite Italian foods! It was unforgettable to see him enjoy this dream vacation, and we all soaked up every moment together with him.
Two short years after his trip to Italy, Jake was moved into a personal care home and was no longer able to travel. He faced his condition with courage and strength and fought until the very end. He lived for his family and managed to hang on for 10 days of comfort care while his family held vigil at his bedside. Jake took his final breath on Saturday, May 11, 2024, and our dear husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend is finally free. He will be dearly missed.

A private family service will take place. 

Donations in memory of Jacob may be made to Rest Haven Care Home or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.