KSENIA (SANDY) SCHLAMB

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

KSENIA (SANDY) SCHLAMB May 18, 1906 - April 25, 2012 Born into pre-First World War Germany in the town of Lodz (now in Poland), Ksenia had a long and eventful life. The First World War saw her family relocated to Siberia. There she watched the Cossacks and met the last Tzar of Russia. Seeing no future for herself post-war, Nana accompanied an uncle to England, then came on to Canada on her own in 1926. She found work as a scullery maid in a Winnipeg hotel and worked her way up to waiting in the dining room where she met her husband, Jacob Schlamb. They were married in 1927, but shortly after the market collapsed and Jacob's parents moved in to their north end home with them. The depression hit hard, so to keep bread on the table Ksenia went to work as a housemaid in River Heights where she earned the lasting respect and friendship of her employers. Always independent and a hard worker, Ksenia kept an immaculate house, grew her own vegetables, mowed her own lawn and shovelled her own snow until she fell and broke her hip at age 103. Until that time, she walked a couple of miles every day - either around the neighbourhood or bussing to one of the city parks to stroll around there. She loved her family and in her west end home you would always find good conversation, a cup of tea and a variety of homemade baked goods. The last three years of Ksenia's life were spent at Tuxedo Villa and the family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff there for their sincere concern and care. Our beloved Nana is now at rest and joins her parents (Philip and Elizabeth Baum); six siblings; husband (1972); son Rudolph (2004); daughter Sussana (1992); and son-in-law Henry Klause (2007). She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Harold Klause (Heather Power), Lenore Hodge (John) and Warren Klause (Berta); and her two great-grandsons Brian and Kevin Hodge. With respect to Ksenia's wishes there will not be a Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, www.assiniboinepark.ca/donations

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 05, 2012