ELISABETH LETKEMAN

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ELISABETH LETKEMAN With sadness and joy in our hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Elisabeth (Wolfe) Letkeman on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at Bethesda Place, Steinbach, Manitoba, at the age of 95. Left to remember her with love are her daughters, Evelyn (Dick Friesen), Elizabeth (John Wohlgemuth); her son Chester (Rosemarie); 17 grandchildren, 26 great-grand-children, and three great-great-grandchildren. Elisabeth was predeceased by her husband John and a daughter Beverley (Penner). Elisabeth was born August 9, 1912, in Rhineland Municipality, Manitoba. Her early life was spent in Blumenfeld, MB. At the age of 12, she worked as a maid and nanny in Haskett, MB. At approximately 14 years, she began work with a family in Winnipeg, also as a maid and nanny. October 18, 1936, she celebrated her marriage to John. Shortly, after the marriage, they moved to Rosengard, MB. In her dirt-floored, one-roomed log mansion , she created her first home for her family, giving birth to her first two daughters. In 1943, they moved to Ste. Anne, MB. Here she gave birth to a daughter and a son. In 1979, after John's retirement, they moved to Oak Lake, MB, where they lived till John's death in 1996. She then moved to Steinbach, MB. Elisabeth's formal education stopped abruptly before she completed Grade 2. This limited exposure that may have ignited a spark. For the rest of her life, she continued her education . She learned from and with her children as they did their schoolwork as well as learning to read and make clothing patterns, so she could clothe her family. While embarrassed by her lack of formal education, she achieved a level of knowledge, skill and wisdom more than sufficient to converse on any topic and more than sufficient to challenge, in her subtle but deliberate way, anyone. Kindness and gentleness was Elisabeth's way, touching anyone and everyone. She was fiercely protective of her family and always so proud of their achievements while continually wondering whether she should not and could not have done more. Humour was always close to the surface and would often erupt. The family trusts that Heaven is prepared for her reunion with her sisters Tine and Sada. Her deliberate effort to make each person the centre of her universe is what endeared her to her family, friends, care-givers, and acquaintances. And woe to anyone who would dare to intrude on that space. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grace Mennonite Church, 430 Third St., Steinbach with interment at Heritage Cemetery. Elisabeth, we will miss you! Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 21, 2008