Raymond (Ray) Jonas Doerksen, 71, of Steinbach, MB, formerly of Kola, MB, passed away June 23, 2013. He is survived by his wife Judith Marie (nee Friesen) of 46 years, children Jacqueline and Gerald Brandt (Jonas, Celine, Felix) of Steinbach MB; Charlene and Alvin Martens (Greer) of Redondo Beach, CA; Cory and Natasha Doerksen (Elinor, Marlo, Everett) of Morden, MB; Melissa and Gabriel Figueiredo (Aidan, Gabrielle, Amalia) of Winnipeg, MB. Also left to mourn are his step-mother Tina Doerksen, siblings; Myrtle, John and Agnes, Phil and Carol, Sara, Pauline and Gerry Hoorman, Henry and Lorena, Delia and John Knight, and Gerald. He was predeceased by his mother Nettie Doerksen, sister Lydia, and father Jacob P. Doerksen. Ray spent about 30 years working and raising his family in Kola, MB and attended the Kola EMC Church. Ray and Judy moved to the Blumenort/Steinbach area in 2002 and recently, Ray was baptized on the confession of his faith in Jesus Christ, and with Judy was accepted as members of the Blumenort EMC Church. Ray worked in the commercial construction industry as a Construction Supervisor and Project Manager, spending most of his career at Ed Penner Construction and T.L. Penner Management. He oversaw numerous construction projects including schools, hospitals, bridges, apartment buildings, and hog barns all over the Prairie Provinces. He took pride in his work. Dad and Mom enjoyed travelling. They enjoyed regular winter vacations together to Palm Springs, Mexico, and Hawaii, and with their family to various North America locations, particularly southern ones. Frequent visits were also made to children in Florida or California. A cherished memory for our family is our 2007 Christmas spent at a condo and white sands in Destin, Florida. He took his grandchildren on several trips as well. Dad also enjoyed spending time together with his siblings at their shared cabin in Watrous, SK. Dad enjoyed his retirement; hog butchering was his favorite hobby. Dad was well known for his farmer sausage that he sold at below-market prices but brought him dividends in the form of friendships and fellowship. He also did a lot of volunteer work and many of his family benefited from his skills as a construction worker. At his last projects he was project manager for the SCHS gym and then the SBC dorm, which he was not able to complete because of his illness. Dad also loved to cook for his family; waffles, steak barbeques, pig roasts, and whole deep fried chicken were his specialties. Dad was a much loved husband, father and grandfather, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed. We would like to thank the healthcare workers who did their best to treat his cancer, including Dr. Krahn and the caring nurses at Steinbach Cancer Care. When medical treatment failed, Gerald and Jacqueline were honored to take him into their home for his last three weeks and cared for him along with Melissa, Cory, other family members, and the excellent palliative care team, making him as comfortable as possible until his last hours of peaceful sleep and final breath. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Blumenort EMC Church with burial at the Blumenort EMC Cemetery. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Drive, Steinbach on Friday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. Viewing will also be at the church prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive; Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9