Ernie Morris Serwa

Ernie's service will be livestreamed and available at service time through the link provided below.  

It is with deep sorrow that we, the family of Ernie Serwa, announce the sudden passing of our dearest brother, friend, uncle and partner at the age of 78 years.  His beloved partner Beverly and dear friend and nephew Mark were at his side.

Ernie was born October 5, 1945 to Nick and Jennie (Soloway) Serwa on their family farm at Pulp River, Manitoba.  He was the youngest of eight children and grew up along the banks of the Garland Creek.

He was predeceased by his parents Nick and Jennie, his brothers Frank, Nestor, Albert and wife Mary, sisters Mary and husband Mike Syrnyk, Eleanor and husband Paul Currie, brother-in-law Adam Semeniuk, half sisters Arlene Serwa Reeve and Sharon Serwa.

Left to cherish many fond memories are his loving partner and soulmate Beverly Martin of Penticton, BC, daughter Jodie Rose Serwa of Calgary, brother Ed Serwa (Marge) of Otonobee, ON, sister Adeline Semeniuk of Winnipeg, and sister-in-law Irene Luke (Don) of Dauphin.  He also leaves three godchildren:  Karen Morgan, Brandi White and Dawn Cayer.

Also mourning his loss are his extended family of many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families, Beverly’s family, and many friends with whom he enjoyed spending quality time and making great memories.

Ernie received his education at Asquith, Pine River and Ethelbert schools.  He then went to work at a lumber mill in northern British Columbia for a time before coming back to the family farm to help his mother with spring planting, haying and other farm chores.

In the mid eighties he began his own farming endeavor near his Soloway grandparent’s homestead in the Jubilee District of Pulp River.  During the long winter months he would travel to northern postings for seasonal work on oil and diamond drilling rigs and as an ice road truck driver to supplement the farm income.  It was during this time that Ernie and his former wife Dianne raised their daughter Jodie Rose.

In 1969 Ernie and Beverly met in BC.  They soon got engaged and their wedding was planned when Ernie came back to Manitoba to help on the farm and had a serious accident.  Despite trying to maintain the relationship, circumstances drove them apart and the wedding was called off.  In 2014 Beverly saw Kelsey Serwa skiing on TV and thought, could that be the same family?  She finally called Ernie in 2015 and a phone relationship blossomed until they finally met again in person in 2017.  Since then, she has been “my Beverly” to Ernie. Ernie and Beverly enjoyed many exciting travelling experiences together.  They made each other very happy.

Spending time on his recreational property was one of his greatest passions, along with peaceful country life, nature and wildlife experiences.

Ernie was very personable and made friends very easily.  He will be deeply missed by so many.

The family wish to extend their gratitude to the Swan Valley Health Centre, St. Boniface Cardiac Care staff, RCMP and EMS personnel attending his health emergencies. 

A celebration of Ernie’s life will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin.

Ernie’s family and close friends are asked to consider themselves honorary pallbearers.

Mark Semeniuk will be acting Urn Guardian.  Interment will be held in the spring of 2024.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in Ernie’s memory may be made to the HSC Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg, Parkland Humane Society in Dauphin or the Pulp River & District Cemetery, Pine River, MB, R0L 1M0.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT

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