ELSIE DORA WONNICK (MAZINKE)

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ELSIE DORA WONNICK (nee MAZINKE) December 22, 1920 March 10, 2007 With a feeling of deep sadness the family announces the passing of Elsie Wonnick on March 10, 2007 in Penticton, BC after many years of coping with heart problems. She leaves behind to forever cherish her memory two daughters, Valerie (and husband Joe Garfino) of Penticton, BC and Wendy (and husband Allen Harris) of Winnipeg, and a son, Lyle (and wife Debbie) of Kamloops, BC. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Ryan and Sabrina Harris; and Amber Wonnick (and husband Matt Thompson) and Shelby Wonnick (and husband Steve Gorveatt); and a great-grandchild Alysa. She will also be greatly missed by her sisters, Gertie (and husband Steve Tysko) of Penticton and Alice (and husband Len Evans) of Winnipeg as well as many nieces and nephews. Elsie was predeceased by a son, Clint (1997) and her parents, Ferdinand (1986) and Emma (1988) Mazinke, and her husband Henry (2000). Funeral services took place in Concordia Lutheran Church, Penticton, on March 15th and she was laid to rest beside her husband at the Lakeview Cemetery. Elsie spent her early years on the family farm at Sewell, Manitoba where she worked long and hard doing many chores including feeding large numbers of harvesters at threshing time. She became an excellent cook and was able to prepare great meals without using recipes. Everything was cooked from scratch the old-fashioned way. She also was very good at sewing and knitting. In June 1925, her father had to rush her into a hospital in Winnipeg with a ruptured appendix. Because of the seriousness of her condition she had to spend seven months there. She survived because of her courage and will to live. Elsie and Henry were married in 1945 and raised their four children in Transcona. She and Henry were active in the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and assisted in helping it to grow and thrive. Over the years they were able to travel to many parts of Canada, the United States and Mexico. However, in 1979 they decided to move to Penticton to escape the cold Manitoba winters and to be near some of their children, as well as Elsie's parents and sister Gertie and her husband. Again she and Henry became very involved in their local Lutheran church. Elsie spent her later years in an assisted-living apartment where she took time to write an autobiography of her life. In it she describes her childhood on the farm playing with her sister Gertie, as well as many other experiences. She tells of her love of gardening and how she enjoyed planting tulip bulbs and watching them grow in the spring. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet white doves in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die. I live in the hearts and minds of loved ones.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 14, 2007