GUSTAV (GUS) ROHDE

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GUSTAV (GUS) ROHDE
1922 - 2022

On April 14, 2022, at the age of 100, an amazing man left this earth. Gus Rohde peacefully passed away. His journey will see him reunited with his wife of 73 years - Nelly, and his youngest (and most beautiful - haha) daughter - Marita.
He is survived by his daughter Brigitte.
Gus was born January 31, 1922 to Gustav and Emilie Marie Rohde in Kassel, Germany. His schooling was interrupted by the Second World War, and in his youth, he joined the military service. A serious injury early in the war resulted in the end of his service, with many awards for bravery.
In 1942, he relocated to Poland to be with his sister Adi, his mother, and his father who was a policeman. It was in Poland that he met his wife-to-be, Nelly Lange. Towards the end of the war, the entire Rohde and Lange families relocated to Germany and settled in Bremke.
Gus and Nelly married on September 29, 1945. In August 1946, they became the proud parents of Brigitte. In June 1949 they welcomed Marita to the family.
In Germany, Gus worked hard to provide for the family. He originally had horses and a wagon that he used to transport logs down unbelievable steep hills, walking beside his horses, lovingly calming them. Gus transitioned into the trucking business with the purchase of two trucks, but the fledging business required him to be gone from Nelly and the girls for very long periods of time. This was not the life Gus and Nelly wanted for the family, so a decision was made to follow suit of Nelly's family and immigrate to Canada. The family of four arrived in Winnipeg in November 1953.
Gus and Nelly worked as a team and achieved many dreams in Canada. After less than three years, they bought a house on Alfred Avenue, and in 1960, they built a brand-new home on Arrowwood Drive North. They built a cottage on Lake of the Woods, providing everyone who visited the lake wonderful memories. In retirement, they moved to their river property on Scotia Avenue.
Gus was a charismatic man. With his beautiful red hair (massive white in old age), he immediately attracted attention. Gus was the life of the party, making everyone feel welcome, breaking out in song and refilling drinks, flirtatious but always loyal.
There was also a kind and gentle part of Gus. Gus loved animals, always surrounded by squirrels, birds, fox in the wild, and even a bear cub, which scared everyone! He lovingly looked after many family pets including his dogs Bruno and Brandy.
Mom worked long hours at Lange's Pastry Shop, so Dad was often responsible for the care of us girls. He was a very involved father, somewhat unique in the 1950s. He would bring us to the zoo every Sunday to feed the animals, while Mom cleaned and made a huge family dinner. He was firm in his opinions but supportive when we needed it, he encouraged strength and independence, and he grudgingly paid the insurance premiums no matter which of us girls (Nelly included) had an accident. His guidance resulted in two daughters who knew they could do anything. Thank you, Daddy.
His love of family continued into the next generation with his title of Opi to Chad (Krystal), Coco, Ryan (Gabi), Deanne (Eric) and Kierra (Jeff). All five grandkids were taught to waterski with Opi driving the boat and Omi offering in-water support, memories each of them cherishes. Great-grandchildren followed: Kitzianna, Griffin, Daveena, Adah, Otis, Levi, Marcus, Jazmyne, Arianna and Katerina. And in 2012, the fifth living generation came with Mackenzie and April.
The world lost an incredible person - a man of love, laughter, kindness and joy. GOOD BYE DAD!
There will be a private family service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society.
The family would like to thank the staff at Thorvalsons and Convalescent Home for the wonderful care over the last four years.
**This obituary was lovingly written by Marita prior to her death in 2021, as a last gift to her dad.

Family and friends may sign a
Book of Condolence at www.glenedenmemorial.ca
Glen Eden Funeral Home
204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 30, 2022