Eugene Orest Kobelka

Eugene Orest Kobelka

September 3, 1943 – April 4, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Eugene Kobelka, on April 4, 2026.

Eugene was born on September 3, 1943, to Fred and Mary Kobelka. He attended Lens School and later Birch River Collegiate, but it did not take long for him to realize that farming was where his heart truly belonged. He farmed his Baba’s land in Mikado, Saskatchewan, for one year before returning to Lenswood to farm alongside his dad, and later with his sons, Cam and Ashley. He also worked at the Birch River plywood factory and served as a grader operator for Manitoba Conservation.

In 1966, Eugene married the love of his life, Lara Johnson. Together, they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and family. They purchased their own land and were blessed to raise their four children on the same family farm where Eugene himself had grown up.

Eugene found joy in every stage of life. His greatest passion was grain farming, and he often said, “When you are happy where you are, you don’t have to go anywhere else.” He enjoyed spending his younger years playing pool at Nick’s in Birch, and in later years, he looked forward to coffee games at Jamie’s with the coffee crew.

Eugene loved being in the bush, whether he was quadding with friends or cutting and hauling wood on the back of his Kubota side-by-side, something he continued doing right up until this past fall. He also enjoyed riding around on his tractor cutting grass.  On warm days, he loved nothing more than sitting on the deck with Cam and Lorne, drinking coffee.

Above all else, Eugene loved his family. He cherished having everyone together for family suppers, and nothing brought him more happiness than being surrounded by the people he loved most. His grandchildren, and later his great-grandchildren, were the light of his life.

Eugene faced life’s challenges with strength, courage, and determination. He rarely complained and accepted whatever came his way. When he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer 10 years ago, he did what he had to do and remained thankful he could still speak with the help of a voice prosthesis. Then, six years later, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. With the same courage and resilience, he lived for four years with a colostomy. In true Eugene fashion, he would often joke that he was “plastic from top to bottom.”

Eugene leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 59 years, Lara; his daughter Claudia Sutherland (Jim) and their family: Kristy Ashcroft (Tyler) and children Samantha, Lily, and Celia; Tyler Sutherland (Caitlynd) and children Kaleb, Maicy, and Maddie; his son-in-law Rod Mullin and family: Matthew Mullin (Arletha) and children Lilla and Finley; Dylan Mullin (Kamryn) and son August; Zachary Mullin (Carleigh) and children Jagger and Cooper; his sisters Phyllis Hodges (George) and Iris Andreychuk (Larry); his sisters-in-law Clara Johnson, Eileen Johnson, and Kim Johnson; and his brother-in-law Bill Sushelnicki (Pat), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Eugene was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Mary Kobelka; his in-laws, Otto and Ella Johnson; his children, Angela Mullin, Cam Kobelka, and Ashley Kobelka; his brothers-in-law Kon, Leonard, Ben, Lyle, Wayne Johnson, and Red Robinson; and his sisters-in-law Ruth Robinson, Jo Sushelnicki, Dolly Johnson, and Nancy Johnson.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

If friends so desire, memorial donations in memory of Eugene may be made to

Crandell Cemetery Box 361 Birch River, MB R0L 1Z0.