ILSE ERNA GRAUMANN (KOLLEK)

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ILSE ERNA GRAUMANN
(nee KOLLEK)
July 10, 1927 - March 13, 2023

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce that on March 13, 2023 surrounded by her family, our dear Mom and Oma passed away peacefully in her sleep at Kildonan Personal Care Centre at the age of 95 years.
Her memory will be lovingly cherished by her children, Helmut (Debbie), Doris (Ray), and Rick (Diane); grandchildren, John (Allison), Lori (Mark), Stacey (Jamie), James (Nancy), Trevor, Nicholas (Laura), Brent (Amanda) and Lana (Dean); and great-grandchildren, Maddix, Hailey, Evan, Nolan and Ayla.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Ewald in 1998 after 50 years of marriage, as well as her parents, Johann and Marie, and her six siblings. She is survived by in-laws, Willi Schneider, Alma Hanke and Ruth Liebersbach, as well as many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends in Canada, Germany and Belgium.
Ilse was born in Schmardt, Germany on July 10, 1927. She met the love of her life Ewald in Allendorf/Eder, Germany and they married on September 25, 1948. They immigrated to Canada in December 1949 with their six-month-old son Helmut. After a difficult 11-day Atlantic crossing on the freighter SS Beaverbrae and a four-day train trip from Halifax, they eventually arrived by horse and sleigh at Uncle Gottlieb Schroeder's farm near Morden where they lived and worked for the next two years. As a young wife and mother, Ilse struggled with the isolation on the farm and separation from her family in Germany, but always maintained that was where she learned the coping skills she would need to deal with the challenges of life. Guided by courage and a tough-as-nails attitude, she was blessed with a long and rewarding life.
In 1952 Ilse and Ewald moved to Winnipeg where Doris and Rick were born. Family was most important to Ilse and she worked hard to provide a nurturing circle of love for them. There will always be fond memories of camping with family and friends at Falcon Lake and the many years spent together at the cottage at Lakeshore Heights. Ilse was an avid gardener and enjoyed reading, music and dancing. Ilse and Ewald had a large group of friends who emigrated from Germany around the same time. Their raucous rec room parties with singing, dancing and laughter until the early morning hours were legendary. As the undisputed queen of the kitchen, Ilse's family will remember the savory homemade soups, dumplings, crunchy dill pickles, streuselkuchen, and especially the six-layer coffee mocha torte that appeared at every celebration. She entertained family and friends with joy and pride, always evident with her presentation of starched white linen tablecloths, fine china and gleaming silverware.
At age 50 Ilse started work as a baking assistant at The Bay Downtown where she continued for 15 years. She always emphasized the importance of education and hard work, and was immensely proud of the successes and accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After moving to her condo in 2004, Ilse continued to enjoy many life-long friendships, but her most cherished friendships over the years were with Ella Pudritz, Alice Lach and Margaret McKee.
The family would like to thank the staff at Kildonan Personal Care Centre for their devoted care and kindness.
A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Glen Eden, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul with Pastor Bjoern Meinhardt from St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. Pallbearers will be Ilse's grandsons, John Graumann, James Graumann, Trevor Graumann, Brent Graumann, Nick Graumann, Jamie Roberton and Mark Stobart. Interment will take place at Glen Eden and reception to follow the service.

IN GOD'S TENDER CARE
ALWAYS LOVED, NEVER FORGOTTEN
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 Mar 18, 2023