WANDA LAURA OMINSKI

Wanda Laura Ominski was born on November 22, 1929.  On August 13, 2025, surrounded by compassionate care at Fred Douglas Lodge, she passed into the next world at the age of 95.

Wanda lived a full and beautiful life. She grew up on Pritchard Avenue in Winnipeg, as the third youngest in a family of nine.  She graduated from Isaac Newton High School in 1946 on a Friday, and much to her chagrin, started working the following Monday. 

She began her career with the CIBC Bank at the Main and Dufferin branch. Shortly thereafter, she transferred downtown to the Portage and Garry branch.  While working there, a customer mentioned to Wanda’s supervisor that he was very impressed with a certain dark haired teller and would like to hire her.   Wanda immediately came to her supervisor’s mind. Wanda had been employed with Western Savings and Loan for 2 weeks, when the customer returned to the bank and said that Wanda wasn’t the teller he was referring to, but he was very pleased with her performance.  Over 40 years later, Wanda retired as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the President of Investors Group.  It seemed that she was the right person for the job after all!

Although Wanda had an exciting career, she will be remembered for her love of her family. Wanda did not have children of her own, and she took great pride in being an aunt, looking out for her nieces and nephews. She was very generous with her time and gifts. Wanda had a close relationship with her sister Irene. They moved from Pritchard Avenue together, eventually buying a home on Sutton Avenue. When Wanda retired in 1990, she and Irene spent their summers at their trailer in Spruce Sands.  In the winter, they were involved with the North Centennial Seniors. In 2012, Irene moved to Fred Douglas Lodge. Wanda eventually joined Irene at “The Lodge”, as it was fondly called, in 2018, after a stay at Amber Meadows and River Ridge Retirement.

Wanda was outgoing and very social, with many cherished friendships.  She enjoyed curling, golfing, travel, and meeting up with her lifelong friends Verna and Gladys well into her 80’s for their regular luncheons. She was an elegant lady who took pride in her eloquent speech and manners. She had her hair done weekly from her early 20’s until the time of her passing and had the best taste in clothing.  Her true fashion passion was shoes.  She loved her Thomas Wallaces and Stuart Weitzmans and her young nieces were in awe of her snakeskin stilettos.

Wanda is survived by her brother Ted, sisters-in-law Jean Ominski and Bev Ominski, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews.  She was predeceased by her father and mother, Alex and Louise Ominski, her sisters, Jean Ominski, Vicky Kreger, Mary Dzogan, Hedy Cook, Irene Ominski, and brothers      Ed Ominski and Ron Ominski.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to the staff at Fred Douglas Lodge, especially Willow Unit.  They treated Wanda with love, kindness, and dignity.  Special thanks to Julia, the Spiritual Care Coordinator, for her support in ensuring Wanda’s peaceful passing.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Wednesday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Cantius Roman Catholic Church, 846 Burrows Avenue with Reverend Yolando Gamallo officiating.  Interment will follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Brent Machula, Colin Machula, David Machula, Glen Ominski, Raymond Dzogan and Spencer Dzogan.