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Karel Bakala October 23, 1948 - November 6, 2020

Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca

Karel Marinus Bakala

October 23, 1948 – November 6, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family announce the passing of Karel Bakala, aged 72 years, on Friday, November 6th, 2020 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre after a short illness subsequent to a period of ill health.

Karel was born in Alberta to Nick and Elizabeth Bakala. His early years were spent on the family farm just outside of Hiensberg with his siblings, Liz, Bertha, and Nick. In 1951, the family moved to Amesdale, North of Dryden. Three further children were born; Jimmy, Paula Anne and Ella. The family was complete. Karel continued to live and work near Dryden most of his life, working for Woodlands and the Dryden Mill for thirty years until retirement.

Karel met his beloved wife, Marilyn, in Dryden and they were married in August 1995. Karel and Marilyn lived in Richan for the most of their married life where they built their own piece of paradise on Sunday Lake next to Good Lake.  There, Karel could pursue his hobbies of hunting and fishing and Marilyn pursued her passion for gardening and making their home beautiful. The couple greatly enjoyed spending time with their dogs Charlie, Shadow, Bernard and Bailey, fishing in their lake and outings in their pontoon boat. They joked that they would be careful to point out to any prospective fishermen that there were no fish left in the lakes!

Karel was a very kind man who would help anybody. He was happiest at home surrounded by his friends, family and neighbours.

Karel was also very skilled and could build and fix almost anything. He spent many happy hours in his shop in Richan which he constructed, complete with an attached apartment and filled with every conceivable tool imaginable. Karel and his friends Fred Skomroh, Terry Rafter and brother Jimmy Bakala would spend hours working in the shop on various projects.

The shop was also the venue for many gatherings and parties with friends and family; numerous photo albums filled with pictures, compiled by Marilyn, are testament to these happy times.

In 2017, the couple moved back to Dryden to another beautiful yet more-manageable home.  Karel and Marilyn enjoyed happy times there too; spending time with Jimmy and Holly who were living just around the corner, being involved in charitable events and greatly enjoying the social events at the Legion.

Sadly, Marilyn passed in 2018 and Karel was heartbroken. He was greatly and lovingly supported through these sad times and subsequent illness by his beloved brother Jimmy and sister-in-law Holly.

Karel will be forever missed and cherished.

He leaves behind his siblings; Liz Gilbertson, Bertha Puddicombe, Nick Bakala, Jimmy Bakala and sister-in-law Holly, Ella McDonald and brother-in-law Brian, Paula Anne Francis and brother-in-law Tom.

Father to Deanna, stepfather to Bill, grandpa to Hogan and Harlo and uncle to his nieces and nephews.

The family would like to send their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Wilson-Smith and the nurses and staff at the Dryden Regional Health Centre for the compassion shown to Karel while in their care.

A Memorial Service will take place at a later date once larger groups are permitted to be together.

Condolences(7)

  1. REPLY
    Frank Mclellan says

    Karel was a great fellow to work with and I will miss seeing him around town.

  2. REPLY
    Frank Mclellan says

    My condolences to Karels family.

  3. REPLY
    Lisa austin says

    Karl was a warm and special person. Ashley loved spending time at their home on richan. we had a few celebrations together and they always make us feel like family. He will be sadly missed. But now he is with Marilyn and they can now live together for eternity.

  4. REPLY
    Frank and Gail Braun says

    Karel was a great friend and neighbour…we had a lot of fun together out at ‘Mud Bay’! Our sincere condolences to his family.

  5. REPLY
    Betty Puddicombe says

    So very sad to hear of Karel;s passing .I have so many good memories of us living in Amesdale,our families were very close ,.Sending love and prayers to all the family .May God comfort you all.love from Bill and Betty

  6. REPLY
    Cindy Bakala says

    Uncle Karel, I loved all the fun times we had in Richan and Amesdale. You always made me laugh. You will be sadly missed.

    Love Cinnie Sue

  7. REPLY
    Brenda and Scott McMillan says

    We are so sorry to hear of Karel’s passing. Our sincere condolences to the family. Scott and Brenda McMillan

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Should friends desire, donations to the DRHC Foundation may be made through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.