Victor Habijanac

VICTOR HABIJANAC of Lethbridge passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, November 25, 2007.

Victor was born in South Bend Indiana on February 8, 1918, the son of Izidor and Francisca (Svatos) Habijanac. In 1922, his family moved to Daruvar Croatia, as this was his ancestral homeland. In 1927, the family immigrated to Canada. Victor studied Diesel Engineering and he later studied Air Frame Mechanics and Electronics. When the war came in 1939, he enlisted and became a special wireless operator, receiving six medals of distinction, including one for the defence of England. When he returned home from the war, he decided to take up farming and settled in the Taber area.

He met his wife, Anne Spontak, during a visit with his sister in Chicago. After a long-distance courtship he married Anne on November 6, 1965. Anne moved from her lifetime home of Chicago and moved to the rural area of Taber where they resided on the farm until 1995, at which time they moved to Lethbridge. Victor was predeceased by his wife, Anne, and his brother Rudy. He is survived by his two sisters, Kay Spence (Taber) and Barbara Konigsbauer (Effingham Illinois), his sisters-in-law, Andrea Habijanac (Coaldale) and Betty Casper of Illinois, his brother-in-law, John Spontak of Illinois and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Victor was an innovative and creative person. Victor was a very good farmer, continuously producing high yield crops and was very skilled in ways beneficial to the business of farming. For example, on the farm, if there was a tool or piece of equipment that he needed but couldn't buy, he just made it. Victor utilized these skills all his life, even in his golden years. He got his first computer in 1987 and figured out DOS and all the other programs on his own. He kept up his wireless operator skills by communicating with people around the world on his ham radio. Victor also loved music, but did not pursue it to the extent that his brother Rudy did.

Prior to his marriage to Anne he joined family vacations with his brother Rudy's family. He always provided entertainment and treats for his nephews and nieces, who loved these trips and have fantastic memories to this day.
Victor and Anne had a wonderful marriage. Victor was a compassionate caregiver to his wife for the 4 ½ years that she was housebound due to a stroke. He took care of all her needs 24/7, with never a complaint, and truly exemplified his marriage vows ""in sickness and in health"".
Victor will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Family and Friends are invited to a Visitation from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday, November 30, 2007 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4th St. S., Lethbridge, AB. Interment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 207, 542-7th St. S., Lethbridge, AB T1J 2H1, Canadian Diabetes Association 210D, 12A St. N., Lethbridge, AB T1H 2J1 or another charity of your choosing.