Albert Oswald, formerly of Steinbach passed away peacefully on January 3, 2008 at the Selkirk General Hospital, aged 91 years. He was born on September 26, 1916 in Friedensfeld, the second son of Daniel and Mathilda Oswald. He is survived by: his daughter, Kathleen Paranosic (Alexander) of Windsor, ON; their children-Marko (Kerri) of Kitchener, ON; Stevan (Denise Peters) of Victoria, BC; Juliana Yuzdepski (Curtis) of Saskatoon, SK and their children Mathias, Nicklas and Annika; Nikola (Camille) of London, ON and their children, Amélie and Ilise. He is also survived by his daughter Leila Wegert (Karl) of St. Andrews, MB; their children, Tessa Repsher (Grant) and their child Remi; and Karel-Anton of Montreal, QC, as well as his son Eldon (Sandra) of Calgary and their children Serek and Karis. He has four surviving sisters, Frieda Fast, Lily Lukowich, Florence Milburn and Ruth Block, and four brothers, Fred, Edward, Karl and Erwin. He was predeceased by his wife Erna (nee Pachal) in 2003, two sisters and two brothers. Albert lived most of his life in Friedensfeld, although, as a young man he worked on various farms further afield. He learned the carpenter trade at a young age, mostly from his uncle, Wilhelm Hirshfeld who taught him to be “genau” in his measurements. In September, 1942, Albert married Erna Pachal and they lived briefly on a leased farm on the Oswald Ekron Road, before purchasing their own farm on PR #303. Over the years, Albert built all the buildings on his farm, and each year, between spring seeding and haying, and between haying and harvest, he would build barns, houses or sheds in the area. Although he often referred to his farm as “a ¼ section of ‘Sand und Torf’”, the mixed farm nevertheless prospered steadily and provided a comfortable living for the family of five. In 1986 he and Erna sold the farm and moved to 418 Ash in Steinbach, where they enjoyed their yard and garden. After Erna’s death in 2003, he continued to live alone on Ash Ave, with the assistance of his faithful “homecare ladies” who dubbed him the “happy hermit” as he always had a smile for them. When he turned 91, he moved to Assisted Living in Selkirk, nearer to his daughter. Albert was a good father to his children and took an interest in their education, serving for many years as school trustee or secretary-treasurer of the Oswald School district. Always an avid churchgoer, he taught Sunday School at St. John’s Lutheran Church and together with his wife, was always involved in the preparation of the children’s Christmas program at the church. At St. John’s, he was also a member of the brass band and, beginning in 1960, he taught himself to play the organ and the piano. When the churches amalgamated with St. Pauls, he shared the duties of organist for the German service, and when not playing, often sang in the choir. He was a gentle man, secure in his beliefs, honest and faithful, and he will be missed. The funeral service will be held at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 465 Henry St, Steinbach on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. with viewing at the church prior to the service. Interment at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation, Room ON109 – 675 McDermot Ave.; Wpg., MB R3E 0V9