Obituary of Cecil Senkbeil

Cecil Edward Senkbeil peacefully passed away at Fairview Personal Care Home on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the age of 94. Before residing at Fairview Home for the past year, Cecil lived in Brandon for three years. However, his true home was the family farm in Kemnay, MB, where he was raised, married, raised his own family, and retired.

Cecil took great pride in his family heritage and the farm's century farm designation, earned in 1981. The farm has remained in the Senkbeil family for over 143 years. Moving from the farm to Brandon at the age of 90 was a difficult transition for Cecil. He was truly a farmer from his birth to his death.

His strong work ethic and love for agriculture - evidenced by his meticulously maintained farmland, yard, and garden - were unmatched. There was never a crooked row in the fields, a weed that dared to grow under his watch, or a potato bug to eat at his garden. Cecil dedicated himself to the farm, working tirelessly from sunrise to sunset, with family life revolving around the seeding and harvest seasons.

During his youth and young adult years, Cecil was a talented hockey player but ultimately prioritized farming over sports. Despite this shift, his love for hockey endured, and he imparted his knowledge and passion for the sport onto his two sons and coaching many aspiring players. His insights into hockey were highly regarded, and he served as a respected scout for young talent. Cecil was especially proud that three of the young men he coached at the midget age level went on to play in the NHL. Alongside his commitments to farming, Cecil also held the position of president at Brandon Minor Hockey and dedicated himself to supporting his sons' baseball endeavors whenever his farming schedule permitted.

Together with his wife Margaret, Cecil cultivated a huge fruit and vegetable and flower garden, selling their produce at the Brandon Farmers Market for over 30 years. Cecil's potatoes were particularly renowned. Despite his quiet and sometimes stubborn nature, nothing brought Cecil more joy than discussing farming and keeping up to date with what other farmers were doing. In his later years, he enjoyed meeting up with his coffee buddies in Brandon. He also kept himself entertained by watching every baseball and hockey game that was televised.

Cecil is survived by his wife Margaret; sons Bob (Angie) and Terry (Lori); grandchildren Stacy (Gord), Greg, Cory (Sarah), and Kinsley; and great-grandchildren Grace, Max, and Oaklyn. He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Coralee Senkbeil, and his three sisters and their husbands: Isabel (Stan), Beryl (John), and Shirley (Neale).

A private graveside service will be held at the Brandon Cemetery followed by an open reception that will be held at Brockie Donovan Funeral Home, in the George Brockie Fellowship Centre, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 2:00pm.

The family extends gratitude to the dedicated staff on the 1st floor of Fairview Home for their exceptional care and support of Cecil.

Those wishing to make a donation in Cecil’s memory are invited to contribute to the Fairview Home Foundation at 1351-13th Street Brandon, MB, R7A 4S6.