LINDA DONNER (AUGST)

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LINDA DONNER
December 22, 1941 - August 8, 2021

It is with sadness that Meinhard, loving husband of Linda, announces her passing on August 8, 2021, at home, surrounded by her family.
She will be missed by her husband Meinhard of almost 55 years, daughter Inge Ratuski (Ed); sons, Horst (Elizabeth) and Peter (Jackie); and her beloved grandchildren, Madeline and Thomas, Julia, Caleb, Emmett, Eric and Alexander; brother Helmut Augst (Pat); nephews, Chris, Paul (Dana - Brooke and Kalynn); brother-in-law Alois Donner, nephews Robert (Vivian - Jake, Derek and Alan) and Dan (Teresa), and sister-in-law Kristel Donner (Robert Leighty), along with many friends in Winnipeg and extended family and friends in Germany.
Linda was born on December 22, 1941, in Poland during the Second World War. As refugees, her family first fled to West Germany and then immigrated to Canada in 1962. She met Meinhard through the German community in Winnipeg, where they married in 1966 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and remained active members, particularly in the Kolping Society and volunteering in various roles. Together they raised their three children, built eight houses doing all the labour themselves. Linda expressed her love through her attention to detail. It was evident in her excellent cooking and exquisite baking, creating memorable birthday tortes, cakes and cookies for family and friends. She enjoyed the social aspect of part-time work at Ellice Meats. Linda could often be heard singing and participated in the choirs at both the St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Folklorama. Her love of gardening resulted in her yard being filled with perennials, flowers and vegetables.
Linda was a life-long learner, always adapting to challenges in her health. Her desire to keep in touch with her family and relatives and to bring people together was evident in her phone calls, emails, Facetime calls, and in her beautiful hand-written cards and letters. The words were always personal and carefully chosen.
In her later years, she and Meinhard enjoyed some travel, with return trips to Germany, road trips across Canada to visit their children, and trips to Cyprus, Egypt and the warmth of Mexico.
Oma loved nothing more than spending time with her children and grandchildren, teaching them the German language and culture, singing songs, playing games like Skip-Bo, and giving hugs and kisses.
She made the world a better place with her acts of kindness, generosity, laughter, genuine care and concern for others. She was an amazing wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, and friend. We cherish the time and memories she created with us and for us. We will be eternally grateful for her and pray that the Lord welcomes her with open arms.
She was predeceased by her parents, Gottlob and Maria Augst.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the many doctors, nurses and health care workers who provided Linda with medical care over the years: Drs. Bharj, Jassal, Moltzan, Margaret, and most recently the Palliative care team: Lori, Kristin, Jade and especially nurse Anita Dyck.
Linda was cremated and a Funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph's Church. Interment and a Celebration of Life will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Linda's name may be made to a charity of your choice.
Publish Date: Aug 14, 2021

LINDA DONNER
December 22, 1941 - August 8, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Linda Donner (nee Augst) beloved wife of Meinhard, loving mother, grandmother, and good friend to many on August 8, 2021, at home, surrounded by her family. After another battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma and other health issues, Linda is at rest and her being at peace makes us able to continue our journey with memories of good family times and a life well-lived.
Linda was predeceased by her parents, Gottlob (1984) and Maria (2006) Augst, her sister-in-law Elsie (2014), and numerous aunts and uncles in Germany.
She will be greatly missed by her husband Meinhard of 55 years, children, Inge Ratuski (Ed), Horst (Elizabeth) and Peter (Jackie); and her beloved grandchildren, Madeline, Julia, Thomas, Eric, Caleb and Emmett, and Alexander; brother Helmut Augst and sister-in-law Pat, nephews, Chris and Paul (Dana daughters Brooke and Kalynn), brother-in-law Alois Donner; nephews, Robert (Vivian, sons, Jake, Derek and Alan), Dan (Teresa), and sister-in-law Kristel Donner (Robert), along with many friends in Winnipeg as well as friends and family in Germany.
Linda was born on December 22, 1941 in Warthegau, Poland during the Second World War, where her parents were resettled from Gnadenthal, Bessarabia, now Moldova. As a child, her family endured separation and the many hardships of the war as refugees. After being reunited they resettled and rebuilt their lives with her extended family in Faurndau-Göppingen, West Germany. Linda grew up surrounded by family, many cousins, aunts and uncles. She attended secretarial school and worked at a paper publishing firm, Blucke. After a visit to see her brother in Canada, the hope for a better life in Canada led and the family's desire never to be separated again, Linda and her parents immigrated to Canada in 1962. Linda learned English at night school, worked in the garment industry and as a nurse's aide at the Psychiatric Hospital in Selkirk.
After meeting Meinhard in 1965, they married in 1966 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church where they remained as active members. Soon afterwards they started a family with Inge born 1967, Horst 1970 and Peter 1971. Linda's love for her family was evident in the way she raised her children, showing an interest in their education and supporting them throughout their life. Linda was a "lifelong learner" having to constantly adapt from an early age to life's challenges while raising children. She and Meinhard taught their children German at home and she enjoyed teaching them songs, poems and assisted with homework. Linda enjoyed and was an excellent cook and baker, adapting recipes and preparing delicious meals from whatever was available. She was known for her beautiful tortes, cakes, cookies and foods which she shared generously shared with family, friends and neighbours.
Later she worked at Ellice Meats, where she enjoyed the social aspect of work and meeting new people. Linda and Meinhard were active members of St. Joseph's Parish, its Kolping Society and St. Alphonsus Church where she always volunteered in many roles. Her love of singing and music, led to her participation in the St. Joseph's choir, the Alpensaenger and the choirs at the Alpine Pavilion at Folklorama.
As their children left home, she and Meinhard made several trips across Canada to visit them in Kentville, Summerland, Calgary, Guelph, and Kamloops. They also travelled together back to Germany to visit family and friends. Later they enjoyed trips to Cyprus, Egypt, Germany and several winters in Mexico.
During the spring through fall, Linda spent a lot of time outside in her garden. Linda and Meinhard's yard was filled with plants such as many flowers, vegetables and apple trees. She shared the garden's bounty with many who enjoyed the flowers and vegetables. She shared her gardening, baking and life's knowledge with many.
Maintaining friendships and relationships was important to Linda and over the years, Linda kept in touch with family and friends. Friends and family would always receive handwritten cards and letters in her meticulous handwriting. Her words and wishes were carefully chosen and showed her care, concern and love for others. She adapted to use technology to enjoy the numerous voice and video calls to keep in touch with her children, grandchildren, and friends. Oma's love for her children and especially her grandchildren, was evident in the time she spent with them. She enjoyed nothing more than talking, listening to them, singing songs, playing games like Skip-Bo, and giving hugs and kisses.
Although she faced many health challenges, she demonstrated incredible strength, faith in the Lord and was resilient. She sought out information and shared the knowledge with her friends and family. Linda always kept her mind and hands busy, and stayed positive and hopeful for the future. The past year was different when she was diagnosed with a recurrence of Hodgkin's lymphoma. She decided to try the chemotherapy treatment but had to stop since the chemotherapy was too hard on her body and weakened her generous heart and body. Her earthly struggles are over. In the end, she made the world a better place by spreading her love to many and sowing love and hope in this world. For that we will be eternally grateful and pray that heaven welcomes her with open arms.
Linda will be cremated, with a funeral mass to be held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 355 Andrews Street on Friday, August 13 at 11:30 a.m. Due to restrictions, please confirm your attendance for the funeral to family at 250-879-0566 or email ratuski@telus.net. Interment and Celebration of Life to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.
Publish Date: Aug 11, 2021

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 11, 2021, Aug 14, 2021