IRENE STEPHENS (KARLENZIG)

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IRENE STEPHENS
(nee KARLENZIG)
December 25, 1929 - October 3, 2020

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Irene, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who passed away in hospital after a brief illness. While she will be greatly missed by many and though she loved life, she was ready for this next step in her journey and looked forward to being reunited with husband Ed and daughter Rachelle.
She leaves sons, Carl (Alana), Howard and Don (Cathy); grandchildren, Troy, Leah, Shaun; Nevil, Sara, Samantha; Amanda, Daniel, Scott; and Aislinn, Benjamin and Alexander. Her great-grandchildren are numerous and were treasured by her. Family connection was her constant priority and greatest joy.
In her long life Irene experienced tragedy including as a child the loss of her mother to illness, the later accidental loss of her firstborn child - her only daughter Rachelle, and later yet, 25 years without her cherished husband Ed. Despite these and other lesser challenges she was known for her ready smile and for an accepting and non-judgmental attitude. Throughout her life she was interested in and open to others and made enduring lifelong friendships, whether as a young wife after the war in Grand Bend, Ontario, later as a mother of four in Charleswood, then as a salesperson at Sears, for many years as a volunteer at Grace Hospital and with many neighbours at Beauchemin Park Place. Throughout many of those years she shared her faith with neighbours and friends at the Charleswood United Church. She often wondered why people were so kind to her, fully unaware of her empathetic and supportive contribution to the well-being of those very people.
But above all she was committed to her family and loved being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spoke often of her appreciation for the practical help and emotional support of her children and grandchildren, always worried that she was a burden.
The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Rumbolt for his excellent and compassionate care over many years. Irene appreciated him very much.
The COVID virus permits only a small family service that will be held.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Grace Hospital Foundation.

For those who wish to sign the online
Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 10, 2020