Obituaries
DORIS STEIMAN
On May 4, 2022, Hashem softly, and with love, carried our mother, Doris Steiman, to her eternal home. She was predeceased by her husband Meyer Keppy Steiman in 2012, her mother and father: Lily and Mandel Minuk, brothers: Bill, Julius, and Sam Minuk, sister: Ruth Racklin and grandson: Mark Steiman.
Doris was a loving and proud mother, Babi and grand-Babi to her children: Karen (Ivan) Brodsky, Gerry (Sandi) Steiman and David (Sheila) Steiman, her grandchildren: Adam (Valerie) Brodsky, Matthew Brodsky, Josh (Jennifer) Steiman, Jennifer (Sam) Banayan, Michelle (Jordan) Edelman, and Cheryl (fiance Lisa Price) Steiman, and her great grandchildren: Lauren, Eden, Shai and Sol Brodsky; Marissa, Rachel and Samantha Steiman; Abigail, Layla and Jack Banayan; and Penelope and Robert Edelman. She was an amazing, wife, mother, mother-in-law, Babi and grand Babi
Mom grew up on Aberdeen Street and attended Peretz School, where she was the class valedictorian. After graduating from St. John’s High School, she worked at Minuk’s Department Store on Dufferin. During this time, she was courted by my dad who would bicycle to see her bearing gifts of marshmallow puffs. Mom and dad were married on March 22, 1942, at the Hebrew Friends Temple in Winnipeg. They resided on Kennedy Street where Karen was born. A few years later, they moved to Scotia Street in the North End where their two sons, Gerry and David were born. Mom and Dad were a loving and caring twosome for some 70 years.
Mom was a passionately devoted mother who considering herself fortunate to always be home when her children arrived from school. Education and academic excellence were uppermost in her mind. After her children were all grown and independent, mom did a stint selling furniture, helping out our dad at the Hargrave furniture store.
Judaism played an important role in our home. Mom set a lavish Shabbat table with food and finery. As an active participant at Rosh Pina, she was involved in Women’s League, theater groups, and fashion shows. She was also active in B’nai Brith and ORT.
Mom excelled in the kitchen; every meal was deliciously prepared and served. In addition to regular cooking, her fancy desserts and tortes were legendary. Her cherry flips and carnation rolls were the best! Entertaining gave mom much pleasure. She was a gracious hostess whether it was welcoming friends to Scotia, Tuxedo, Loni Beach, or winters in Palm Springs. Our mother and father appreciated and loved beautiful traditional and antique furnishings. This appreciation has been passed down to her children and grandchildren.
For almost 60 years, Mom spent her summers in Loni Beach. She would hold down the fort while dad worked and drove to Winnipeg daily. Having her children and grandchildren visit was most exciting for our mother. In anticipation, she would fill two large freezers with her wonderful cooking and scrumptious baking, making sure everyone’s favorites were represented. Her children and grandchildren were fortunate to spend many summers at Loni Beach – swimming, building forts, painting, and playing badminton.
Mom was an Eshet Chayil as well as a Yiddishe Momma, the matriarch of our Minuk clan and of our personal Steiman family. As with the biblical matriarchs, she will be lovingly remembered for her strength, determination, clarity of thought, and fierce love of family. We all learned many important lessons from her and for this we will always be grateful. Mom, we will forever miss you. Our abundant memories of your enduring love comfort us.
Our family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care and support given to our mother during her several years at the Simkin Centre. Donations in Doris Steiman’s honor may be made to the Keppy and Doris Steiman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Congregation Etz Chayim, the Saul and Claribel Simpkin Centre, or charity of choice.
Obituaries
Dr. VELIMIR KON B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D. September 18, 1950-June 27, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Velimir Kon, or Shlomo, beloved husband of Branka and father of Deborah and Lea. Velimir was an accomplished teacher and academic, and he was renowned for his intellectualism, humility and humanity.
A gentle soul who was always sociable and who genuinely loved people, Velimir was equally at home in the university classroom as a professor and as a secondary school Biology, Chemistry and Math teacher in Northern Ontario (Big Trout Lake) and Manitoba (God’s River, Berens River). Velimir made a difference to many First Nations students throughout a career that spanned decades. He was dedicated to his students, colleagues and family. An adept and talented pianist, Velimir enjoyed the arts and of course Jewish humour. He was an avid shul goer and supporter of Israel and enjoyed his duties in shul as a Kohayn. Velimir was a man of faith who was able to fuse his love of science and Judaism.
Born in Croatia, Europe (the former Yugoslavia) to Shoah survivors Rose (Rochel, ne Lederer) and Arnold Kon (Ariel), Velimir immigrated to Canada with his wife and girls in 1988, making many personal sacrifices along the way to ensure a peaceful and safe life for his family. Adaptability and optimism characterized Velimir. Known for his heart of gold, Velimir touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A love of Jewish values, family values and life-long learning and education characterized Velimir. With his charming, outgoing and friendly personality, Velimir welcomed everyone into his life and into our home.
His kindness, humour, generosity and goodness will be deeply missed by his family and friends in Winnipeg, Victoria, B.C., Guelph, ON, Osijek, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, Los Angeles and Boston, U.S.A., and Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and Karmiel. Baruch Dayan Haemet.
A traditional funeral was held on June 30, 2025 at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can still be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg, B’nai Brith or the JNF.
Velimir will be forever missed and cherished by Branka, Deborah and Lea.
Obituaries
ELAINE BEVERLEY KAPLAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt, Elaine Kaplan. She died on June 24, just a month shy of her 69th birthday.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 months ago, and was given about six months to live, which she was able to exceed with great courage and determination.
Elaine was predeceased by our father Phil Kaplan and mother Bess Kaplan. She is survived by her brothers Gerry (Nancy Hughes), Allan (Rennie) and Sheldon (Mona), along with her nieces and nephews.
Elaine was able to remain at home up until a few days prior to her passing at the St. Boniface Hospital, which was her wish. She was employed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the majority of her career. She loved nature and was devoted to feeding the neighbourhood squirrels and birds. She also adopted and cared for many rescue rabbits over the years. Her family was important to her, and she loved attending family weddings and barbecues.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a pet rescue of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN KLUNER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Alan Kluner passed away on July 11, 2025 at the young age of 66. Alan had a very good life despite some ongoing health challenges he met head on for the majority of his life. He loved family and was a very kind and loving son, brother and uncle.
Born in Winnipeg, Alan developed a small but close circle of friends he maintained for many years. His passions were following his sports teams (Jets, Vikings, Bombers) and attending numerous rock concerts.
Alan is survived by his oldest brother Martin (Reesa), his sister-in-law Hanna, his four nephews and nieces Mickey (Stephanie), Corey (Sean), Zev (Kristen), Elana (Danny), and his great-nephews and great-nieces Mason, Lucy, Nora, Remy and Enzo.
He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Phyllis, brother Kerry, and uncle Alvin Mantell.
Alan’s funeral service was graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Tuesday July 15, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were: Martin Kluner, Mickey Kluner, Corey Kluner, Elana Kluner, Henry Goldfeld, and Alan Levine. Honorary pallbearer was Albert Yanofsky.
For those who wish, donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or the charity of your choice.