Berthold Richard Jeske

Bert Jeske
June 3, 1956 - April 9, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Bert Jeske on April 9, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 69. He passed peacefully, knowing that he was going home to be with Jesus.

He will be lovingly missed by his wife of 46 years, Linda; daughter Lindsay (Kurtis), granddaughters Brynn, Keaton, Ayla; son Colin (Desiree), granddaughter Azalea; daughter Krysten (Jason), grandsons Silas, Cohen, Jonah; father, Richard Jeske; brother Harold (Angie), sisters Doris (Gerald), Gloria (Jeff); mother-in-law, Cecelia Molzahn, and many nieces, nephews, and relatives. He is predeceased by his mother Elsie Jeske, and father-in-law Otto Molzahn.

Bert was born to German immigrant parents, Richard and Elsie Jeske, and was the oldest of four children. He grew up in different areas of Winnipeg. Much of his childhood was spent riding bikes with his cousins and extended family to the airport, monkey trails, and various parks in the city. He enjoyed playing football with friends and also took up dirt biking for a period of time. Family was always important to his parents. Family gatherings were frequent, and summers were filled with camping trips to Big Whiteshell, day trips to the beach, and water skiing behind the Wegner boat—memories that shaped his love for togetherness and tradition.

Faith played a central role in Bert’s life from a very early age. His parents were deeply involved in church, and he began attending Immanuel Pentecostal Church as a newborn, where he attended most of his life. Bert committed his life to following Jesus at the age of eight. As he grew, so did his relationship with Jesus. Church became not just a place he attended, but a community where he volunteered faithfully, formed lifelong friendships, and where his relationship with Jesus deepened.

He attended Sunday School, youth group, Sunday night services, prayer meetings, and countless church events. He began playing the euphonium in the Junior Brass Band at age nine, later joining the Chapel Brass Band at age twelve. When the band needed a tuba player, Bert stepped in—the tuba became his instrument until this past year. Even when his health no longer allowed him to play or sing, he continued attending practices simply to enjoy the friendships he had built for sixty years.

Bert also sang in the choir, served as an usher, a board member at the church, and was always willing to help wherever there was a need. Children’s ministry was especially close to his heart. He began as a Sunday School teacher and later took on the role of overseeing the Children’s Education Department.

Bert and Linda began dating when they both attended a youth group. After a couple of years, they got engaged. They were married on October 20, 1979, and shared 46 years of marriage, raising three children and becoming proud grandparents to seven. He was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa. Bert enjoyed taking road trips with his family, and a highlight was spending time at Falcon Lake, Rushing River and other beaches as well.

After finishing high school, he became a shipper at Elswood Distributors. It was there that his desire to own and operate his own tractor-trailer business began. Bert drove for more than 30 years, meeting many people along the way and often sharing stories with Linda at the end of each day. His trucking career ended at Vitran Express.

In January 2017, while Bert and Linda were preparing for a trip to Hawaii, Bert received a call from his doctor requesting a biopsy when they returned. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. And so his journey with cancer began. Bert underwent a stem cell transplant and spent many hours at Cancer Care, where he developed friendships with the staff—especially the team on GD6, who became like a second family. The nurses were so kind and caring.

Bert was on the road to recovery when he received another diagnosis on December 22, 2023. This time it was Acute Leukemia. This journey was so much harder than his previous battle. Bert needed another stem cell transplant, but this one required a donor. His siblings and kids were tested, and they were so grateful that his sister Gloria was a perfect match. This allowed him a few more years with his family, and he was able to meet another grandson and granddaughter—gifts that filled his heart with joy.

Bert tried to make the best of his situation. During this time, Bert's new career as the “family taxi driver” began. He drove Linda to work and would often pick up his grandkids for school. This gave him such purpose. He especially enjoyed getting to spend more time with his neighbours, who became his good friends. As Bert began to weaken, he would sit in a chair in the garage, and it became a great time of visiting with his neighbours and anyone walking by. Many of his friends would meet him for coffee, which he also enjoyed and would help make his day brighter. Many took time and invested in his life in different capacities. Bert used to always say, “Life is about people”. Friendships were such a big part of his life and meeting new people and hearing their stories brought him such joy.

Bert wanted everyone to experience the love of Jesus, and in the last nine years, his purpose was clear. He wanted that love to shine through him and to love his family and friends well. There have been many miracles in Bert`s life, and we are thankful that he is no longer experiencing pain and suffering. Bert is now rejoicing in heaven, a home that he has longed for.

The family would like to thank the staff at HSC Cancer Care and the nurses and staff on GD6, for the kind and compassionate care of Bert while he was there. They became his GD6 family.

A funeral service will be held at My Church Winnipeg (formerly Immanuel Pentecostal Church) at 955 Wilkes Ave. on Friday, April 17th at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Home Of The Good Shepherd Ministries at www.hgsbrazil.org.

If you wish to watch the funeral service online, it will be live-streamed at the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/cFRWqWaAmjk

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Arrangements entrusted to:
Rock Fontaine Funeral Director
Honour-Respect-Dignity
(204) 223-2576 or Toll Free (866) 499-2601