INGRID CORNIES

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INGRID CORNIES (nee Strempler) May 23, 1945 - July 31, 2007 It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ingrid Cornies, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend on July 31, 2007. Ingrid was born in a farmhouse near St. Roman, Austria to Heinrich and Melita Strempler in 1945. As refugees, the family made several moves in Germany until the decision was made to immigrate to Canada. The family arrived in St. John, NB on February 2, 1952, travelled to Manitoba and established their first home in Gnadenfeld. Here Ingrid began attending high school and was introduced to two new languages for her, English and Low German. In 1954 the family moved to Winnipeg and started attending Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church. Ingrid was baptized and became a member there in 1962. After completing high school, she attended United College (now UofW) Upon graduation (B.A. in Psychology) she worked as a clinical psychologist at The Selkirk Mental Health Centre primarily with adolescents. After some years in this work, she began to dream of helping young adults before irreversible life choices had been made. In 1984 this dream was realized when she was asked to serve as Campus Chaplain at the UofW and later at the UofM. Here she experienced much joy and fulfillment in meeting the challenges of interacting with all aspects of student life on campus and beyond. She continued in this work until her retirement in 2002. In 1969 she married Alfred Cornies whom she had met at the Sargent Church Youth Group. Over the years at Sargent she was involved as youth sponsor and leader, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and deacon and in 1994 the congregation commissioned her as a lay minister. Ingrid was a caring, unselfish and generous person with the gift to instill hope, encouragement and joy in trying circumstances. Her gentle, compassionate nature and non-judgmental attitude would invite trust and confidentiality upon which many lasting friendships were built. She was an inspiration and a blessing to all that knew her. We miss you, we love you, rest in peace. Ingrid was predeceased by her parents and one brother. She leaves to mourn her husband Alfred, daughter Teresa (Tom) Stewart, sons Stephen Cornies and Philip (Rebecca) Watt and grandson Oscar. She is also survived by her sister Ruth (Art) Janz, brothers Erwin (Magdalena) Strempler, Guenter Strempler and Gerhard (Irene) Strempler as well as extended family and friends. We are thankful to Dr. Andrew Maksymiuk and the staff at the Health Sciences Centre Oncology Department, as well as the staff at Concordia Hospital for the care and compassion shown to Ingrid and our family. Funeral service to be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, 926 Garfield Street, with the viewing at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, on Monday, August 6, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. If friends so desire, contributions to Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9 or Cancer Care Manitoba, ON 109-675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9 would be appreciated. FRIENDS FUNERAL SERVICE 2146 Main Street 339-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2007