Obituary for Jona Leppky
Peacefully, on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at the St Boniface hospital, Jona Leppky loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Elma (nee Schellenberg), son Bruce (Shannon), daughter Sheila (Gord), and son Doug; grandchildren Jeffrey (Andrea), Todd (Kelsey), TJ (Michelle), Emma (Caleb), Megan and great -grandchildren Dylan and Parker. He was predeceased by his parents Abram and Aganetha, and his sister Darlene and brother-in-law Frank Kasdorf. He is survived by a sister-in-law Marge Schellenberg.
Jona was born in Winnipeg on January 12, 1934 and grew up in Niverville on the family farm. After high school, he attended Elim Bible School in Altona for 2 years. Then off to the big city of Winnipeg to work! His first job was with Manitoba Hydro and he was at the forefront of the birth of computers. He met and fell in love with Elma Schellenberg at Bethel Mennonite Church Young Peoples. They married in Winnipeg on September 23, 1956 and were loving partners until his passing. Following work at Manitoba Hydro, Jona started working for Air Canada as payroll administrator. He held the distinction of operating Air Canada’s first computer card sorting machine circa 1956. He was there for a number of years and then moved on to Macleods as Vice President of Management Information Systems. Following that, Jona, together with a partner formed a computer consulting firm until retirement. He became a respected member of Winnipeg’s IT community having been involved in the industry for over 40 years.
Giving back through volunteer service was very important to Jona. He was a great manager of people and was a good organizer. He was involved in a number of organizations, usually in a leadership role. A few of his favorites were organizing the MCC golf tournament, working at the MCC Furniture Thrift Store, and a 4 month voluntary service term in Akron, Pennsylvania in 1996. He also spent many years involved with Christian Investors in Education working with Paungassi First Nation.
Church life was a vital part of Jona’s life and he was a founding member of Charleswood Mennonite Church where he served faithfully for over 60 years.
Jona and Elma were able to enjoy many trips and instilled a love of travel in their children as they took many road trips as a family. Elma and Jona travelled to Europe, Hawaii, Jamaica and many spots in the US and Canada. Jona enjoyed golfing and instilled the love of the sport in both of his sons as well. He spent many hours out on the course enjoying the outdoors and the company of friends and family.
Spending time with family and friends was very meaningful to Jona. Many hours spent playing cards, going out for coffee, visiting, and when you were together with Jona, there was always laughter. He was a fun guy to be around!
A private family burial will take place on Saturday, February 26 at Springstein Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. at Charleswood Mennonite Church 699 Haney Street, Winnipeg.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the St Boniface Palliative Care ward for the wonderful care that he received.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee in memory of Jona.
Jona was born in Winnipeg on January 12, 1934 and grew up in Niverville on the family farm. After high school, he attended Elim Bible School in Altona for 2 years. Then off to the big city of Winnipeg to work! His first job was with Manitoba Hydro and he was at the forefront of the birth of computers. He met and fell in love with Elma Schellenberg at Bethel Mennonite Church Young Peoples. They married in Winnipeg on September 23, 1956 and were loving partners until his passing. Following work at Manitoba Hydro, Jona started working for Air Canada as payroll administrator. He held the distinction of operating Air Canada’s first computer card sorting machine circa 1956. He was there for a number of years and then moved on to Macleods as Vice President of Management Information Systems. Following that, Jona, together with a partner formed a computer consulting firm until retirement. He became a respected member of Winnipeg’s IT community having been involved in the industry for over 40 years.
Giving back through volunteer service was very important to Jona. He was a great manager of people and was a good organizer. He was involved in a number of organizations, usually in a leadership role. A few of his favorites were organizing the MCC golf tournament, working at the MCC Furniture Thrift Store, and a 4 month voluntary service term in Akron, Pennsylvania in 1996. He also spent many years involved with Christian Investors in Education working with Paungassi First Nation.
Church life was a vital part of Jona’s life and he was a founding member of Charleswood Mennonite Church where he served faithfully for over 60 years.
Jona and Elma were able to enjoy many trips and instilled a love of travel in their children as they took many road trips as a family. Elma and Jona travelled to Europe, Hawaii, Jamaica and many spots in the US and Canada. Jona enjoyed golfing and instilled the love of the sport in both of his sons as well. He spent many hours out on the course enjoying the outdoors and the company of friends and family.
Spending time with family and friends was very meaningful to Jona. Many hours spent playing cards, going out for coffee, visiting, and when you were together with Jona, there was always laughter. He was a fun guy to be around!
A private family burial will take place on Saturday, February 26 at Springstein Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. at Charleswood Mennonite Church 699 Haney Street, Winnipeg.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the St Boniface Palliative Care ward for the wonderful care that he received.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee in memory of Jona.