On Tuesday, April 19, 2005, Otto Hart passed away peacefully after a courageous, ten-month battle with cancer. He was 71 years of age.

He will be profoundly missed by his wife, Marjorie, and by their family: Randal (Crystal), Cody and Kendal Hart of Minitonas; Heather Hart (Kerry Taylor) and Amalja Taylor of Montreal; and Colin (Heather), Emma and Ella Hart of Minitonas.

He will also be deeply missed by his three sisters: Anne (Fred) Hiller of Swan River; Lydia (Art) Kublick of Brampton, ON; Erna Buress of Swan River; and two brothers: William (Ruth) Hart of Minitonas; and Leo (Lil) Hart of Swan River as well as his large, loving extended family.

Otto is predeceased by his parents Ludwik and Amalja Hart and brother-in-law, Walter Buress.

Otto was born on March 20, 1934 on the home farm in the R.M. of Minitonas. He attended school at Floradale until grade eight, then began working variously as a farm hand for neighbours, in the gold mines of BC, on the oil rigs in Alberta, and in the bush.

On August 22, 1959, he married Marjorie Alford. They lived on the home farm throughout their marriage of 45 years. Together, they reared three children and ran a successful farming operation.

In 1969, Otto attended The Reisch American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. This marked the beginning of a long and fulfilling career as an auctioneer. He enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Lyle Husenetter for many years. As well, he auctioned at the markets in Minitonas, Roblin and Dauphin - always on time and never missing a sale! He delighted in buying his "Jims"! A real highlight for Otto came in 1996 when he, along with his sons, purchased what is now known as Valley Livestock Sales. He was the backbone of the operation until the time of his illness.

Otto placed great value on contributing to and supporting his community. Indeed, his sense of humour, optimism and giving nature earned him the love and admiration of many within (and beyond) his community. He participated in countless charity auctions and served on various boards, most notably those of the Minitonas United Church and the Minitonas and District Arena.

In his latter years, though free time was a rare commodity, Otto enjoyed playing cards, sausage parties, and going to the river to see if the suckers were running!

He will forever be associated with hockey: shinny on the river in his youth, playing competitively as an adult, coaching, Old Timers league, and finally watching his grandchildren play…all aspects of a life-long love for the game.

Otto dearly loved his family and often expressed thankfulness for having been blessed with children and especially grandchildren.

May his vital, joy-filled, generous spirit be an inspiration to all.

Above all, Otto was a family man. Today to reflect on her thoughts and memories of him - I want to call on his oldest granddaughter, Kendal and then his daughter, Heather will speak.

Kendal & Heather, he would be so pleased to have you at the mike today.

I would open the microphone now to invite anyone who might wish to come forward to very briefly offer a reflection on Otto's life, or to share a story.

Randy thought I should wear a cowboy hat today. I didn't think it quite fit with my barb. If I had worn one I would take it off at this point to show honor and respect for Otto.

Let me close our time of remembering by sharing a reading that has been put to son. It is titled The Touch of the Master's Hand. I believe this is who made Otto's life unique, our Master. My thanks to Jocelyn, Otto's niece, for tracking this down for me.

Once I read this the choir will sing: My Life Flows On

'Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good folk?" he cried.
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar….now two….only two…
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three"…but no!
From the room far back a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?"
As he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars…and who'll make it two?
Two… two thousand, and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once and three thousand twice…
Three thousand and gone!" said he.

The people cheered, but some exclaimed
"We do not quite understand…
What changed it's worth?" and the answer came:
" 'Twas the touch of the master's hand."

And many a man with soul out of tune
And battered and scarred by sin
Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd
Just like the old violin.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the master's hand.

O Master! I am the tuneless one
Lay, lay Thy hand on me,
Transform me now, put a song in my heart
Of melody, Lord, to Thee!

- Myra Brooks Welch -