MARIANNE CHARLOTTE CLEMENS

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MARIANNE (MARION) CHARLOTTE CLEMENS February 12, 1927 - July 25, 2015 On a beautiful summer morning on Saturday, July 25, 2015, 88 year old Marianne Clemens passed away peacefully, with her devoted friend Bev Magis by her bedside, at Concordia Hospital, Winnipeg. Marianne was predeceased by her lifelong friend and partner of 46 years, Louise, her father Karl-Hermann, mother Isabelle (nee Rittner), brother Gerhard, sisters Annelies and Karin, and stepmother Elizabeth. She is survived by her niece Ilona Tonner (Germany). She leaves to mourn her passing many friends, including Barbara Pauw (Netherlands), former music students and faithful readers. Born in Schmoegerle, East Germany in 1927, Marianne's childhood was filled with turmoil and strife. At a young age, she experienced first hand the horrors of war before landing in a displaced person's camp. Estranged from her family and everything she held dear, Marianne fled to western Germany following the Second World War. In 1950 she moved to the Netherlands to start a new life. It was while working in South Holland that Marianne met her soul-mate Louise. With Russian troops advancing across Europe in 1957, Marianne and Louise made the move to Canada, first settling in Toronto then Manitoba in 1958. With dreams of owning a hobby farm, Marianne and Louise purchased a modest plot of land just north of Oakbank and set about building their menagerie. Never ones to let the grass grow beneath their feet, Marianne and Louise continuously expanded their home-based activities. Over the years, they kept busy with their petting zoo complete with goat cart rides, Shetland pony ride and Marlo's Coffee Shop, which they operated from a building moved onto their property. In 1969, the building was converted into Marlo's Music Centre. Marianne and Louise became full time music teachers with as many as 120 students between them. Marianne played and taught drums. She also taught saxophone, flute, banjo, clarinet and bass guitar, while Louise taught all keyboard instruments, and guitar, electric and acoustic. Most of Springfield and area's aspiring young musicians got their start at Marlo's Music Centre. Marianne and Louise loved making music and soon were performing throughout Manitoba and on their own, one hour, monthly, "Live", with phone in requests, T.V. show called "The Cosmopolitans" (their band name) at Greater Winnipeg Cablevision Community Television. It ran for over two decades from 1974 to 1996. Marianne loved to write, whether it was a short story, a news report or a feature column. In 1970 Marianne's first Coffee Break column was published in the Transcona News as a weekly feature. She then began writing for the Beausejour Beaver and over time became the Oakbank-Dugald reporter, covering news and events of the Springfield area. In the 1990s she began writing for The Clipper Weekly, which she continued to do faithfully every week until retiring from the newspaper business in 2008. Still eager to share her stories, Marianne chronicled her life and immeasurable adventures in three books. A Childhood Lost in War: Growing Up Under Nazi Rule was published in 2008, followed by A Beautiful Life: A Journey of Love and Rebirth in Canada in 2009. Medley, A Collection of Short Stories was published in 2011. McNally Robinson Bookstore kindly hosted her book launches. Marianne volunteered extensively, such as volunteering yearly at the Legion on Remembrance Day, and daily visits, for years, to bedridden patient (the late) Diane in KinPlace Personal Care Home, and so much more, that she received The Queen's Jubilee Award in 2002 for her many contributions to the community. Marianne loved life, people, animals, birds (her canary "Sunny"), nature, laughing, writing, riding her trike and always her beloved (late) partner Louise. She appreciated every little thing and person. Her compassion was astounding and to Marianne, Life was Beautiful! On behalf of Marianne and Bev, we would like to gratefully thank all the 3rd Floor West staff at Concordia Hospital for their wonderful care and kindness. A very special thank you to Dr. Van, nurses Wendy B., Donna and Mariola. Thank you to all Pastoral Care Spiritual Counselors, especially Peter Dyck . A "Joyful Celebration" of Marianne's life will take place at Peppercorn Restaurant, 544 Main St., Oakbank, MB on Sunday, August 9, 2015, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Those planning to attend are asked to wear casual (i.e. shorts), bright coloured clothing in honour of our friend Marianne, who was known for her wild coloured socks. Come celebrate Marianne's Beautiful Life and share your memories of her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkland Humane Society, Box 805, Dauphin, MB R7N 3B3 or St. Boniface Foundation, 409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6. Thank you. Seldom was a life so well lived. For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log onto www.mosaicfunerals.ca Mosaic Funeral 1839 Inkster Blvd. 1006 Nairn Ave. 204-275-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 01, 2015