Jim John Bezan

BEZAN, Jim Born February 3, 1935 ~ August 9, 2024 Aged 89 years.

Quietly in the morning of August 9, 2024, beloved husband, father, and grandfather Jim Bezan passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Roblin Personal Care Home, at the age of 89. After a long, well-lived life, he is at peace.

Jim was born in the chilly winter of 1935 on February 3rd, in Russell, Man., to his parents, Kozma and Vera Bezan. Growing up as the youngest of eight children on a farm near Inglis, Man., he was no stranger to hard work. He attended the Shellbank School in Lennard, Man., until eighth grade, when he left to take on a bigger role on the family farm.

At the age of 17, Jim started working in Ontario for the winters to support his love of farming, and then came home in the spring to help his dad on the farm. He saved his money from working away to buy machinery and cattle. His first pieces of machinery were an Oliver 88 tractor and an International cultivator from P.J. Gaber and Sons, which is the same place he would later buy an engagement ring. He began farming on his own in 1956.

When Jim went into the local grocery store in Inglis and first laid eyes on the cute blonde girl behind the till, it was love at first sight. He married Wendy Anderson a few months later in October 1958. Two years after their wedding, they had their first child, and quickly began to build their family and their life on the farm. Jim had a passion for cattle and built a large purebred Horned Hereford herd that he was very proud of. The first Horned Hereford he ever bought was a heifer from E. & V. Dunn’s of Silverton, Man. in 1953, and it started his love and enthusiasm for the breed. In 2010 he received his 50-year pin from the Canadian Hereford Association.

Jim was active in his community for much of his life and was involved in many clubs as a child. He got his children involved in 4-H, and he served as the leader of the 4-H Beef Club for 16 years. He also served as a director of the Manitoba Beef Growers and was a municipal councillor in the R.M. of Boulton and later Shellmouth-Boulton. He was actively involved in the Manitoba Hereford Association, Toastmasters, and the District Agriculture Board.

              In 1970 Jim and Wendy built a new house just down the road from his parents and across the yard from their existing home, where they continued to raise their children. Family was very important to Jim, and his children have many memories of working with their dad on the farm, something that lots of his grandchildren got to experience, as well, when they spent their summers at the farm with Grandma and Grandpa. For many of his family members, the farm is still their favourite place on earth. His love for agriculture was passed on to all of his children.

              Jim was a man of faith with a strong devotion to God and his church. He maintained a connection with his Ukrainian heritage, which he passed on to his descendants. He was also well known for his sense of humour, leaving his family in stitches right up until his last days.

 Jim is predeceased by his parents, Vera (nee Mintenko) and Kozma, his siblings, Lena, Vicky, Annie, Mary, Olly, and Ted, as well as his son, Dana.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Wendy (nee Anderson), his brother Peter, his children, Layton (Barb), Clinton, Heather (Chris), James (Kelly), Warren (Dawn), and Jason (Kristen), as well as his 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

We will miss our husband, dad, and grandfather very much, but were blessed to have many years with him, and will continue to honour his legacy in our lives and with the family farm, which has been taken on by his son Warren and grandson Ryan. Thank you for all of the lessons and laughs, Grandpa – we love you more than love.

A Visitation Service will be held August 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the NairnChyz-Wolkowski Funeral Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held August 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Roblin Evangelical Mission Church with Pastor Randy Moffit officiating. Interment will follow at the Asessippi Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Jim may go to the Roblin Roblin District Community Foundation (for Crocus Court Personal Care Home) - Box 1599, Roblin, MB, R0L 1P0, and/or The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba - 10- 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Mb R3C 4G2.

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