MARTHA FRIEDERICI (PEARCE) (RATTAI)

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MARTHA FRIEDERICI (PEARCE) (nee RATTAI) Sadly, we bid farewell to our much beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Martha who passed away peacefully at the Arborg Personal Care Home on July 4, 2008 in her 90th year. Mother was predeceased by her parents, first husband Otto (our father) in 1984; her second husband Roger Pearce in 2002 and all of her brothers and sisters. She will lovingly be remembered by her eight children and their extended families. Sons, Herman, Eric, Albert (Judy) of Arborg, Arthur (Betty) of St. Andrews, MB. Daughters, Helen (George) Puhach of Lockport, Tillie (Mike) Twohig of Winnipeg, Shirley (Don) Carbert of Kenora, ON, and Nancy (Eugene) Fleury of Teulon, MB. Her step daughter Eltie (Rodger) Shute of Winnipeg; 18 grandchildren and their extended families; four step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, numerous loved nephews, nieces and their families and her friends. In particular, we wish to acknowledge Marguerite Ruddell (warmly and sincerely) who, through mom's marriage to Roger became almost like another sister and this meant so much to her, over the years. Born to new Canadian immigrants Gustav and Sahrafina Rattai on the family homestead in Fraserwood on November 5, 1917, mother was the last born of 12 siblings. In this quiet rural setting she was raised and educated in the Cavendish School, calling herself an independent true country girl . In November 1935 having met our father, Otto Friederici, she began her married life, settling on his farm in the Shorncliffe District. In 1942 our parents saw opportunity for a better life for their four children with their move to a larger farm in the Bjarmi District (Arborg) establishing their new home there with the addition of four more children. A lady of simple pleasures, mother's main focus in life was her family combined with her many other varied interests. She so enjoyed gardening and houseplants above all, mushroom and berry picking, reading and playing her harmonica. But in writing was where she excelled. Especially during the cold winters when the north winds blew on our prairie home, she compiled numerous articles of interest, for print to the Home Loving Hearts section of the Free Press Weekly Prairie Farmer Magazine and many of these that she contributed earned her the distinction of Letter of the Week . Mother was also blessed with great vocabulary and had an amazing sharp memory ability, so was a solid reference for past events in our family. In 1988 she ventured into a new phase of life by introducing us all to the enriching rewards of an exceptional step father and grandfather, the late Roger Pearce. This new move in her life then saw her take up residence on his farm in the Alonsa District, till their return to Arborg in 1996 and retirement. For the past eight years, she was a resident of the Arborg Personal Care Home and so our family acknowledges with thanks and appreciation, the staff and personnel for their kindness, patience and the extra care necessitated by mother's battle with immobility and blindness. We are hopeful that throughout this period, she assisted their work load abit by her fierce independent nature-not bowing to these afflictions, but fighting on bravely and by knowing her own mind (as only our mother could). She bore the sufferings of this ill health so patiently and she certainly wished no pity. In this, she leaves us a most respectful and admirable legacy of a strong tenacity of will, perseverance and determination-Entrusting you now dear mother into God's care, we will always remember our humble home as children, your carefree nature, unique sense of humour and easy laughter over your own stories. We are grateful that you certainly gave us a home (your way) and we will always embrace that- You will always be deeply loved and tenderly remembered-Rest Peacefully, beloved mother. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 8 at Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, Arborg at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Bruce Zinken will officiate. Interment will follow in Arborg Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers if you so wish a donation in mom's memory can be made to the Arborg Personal Care Home or to a charity of your choice. Arborg (MacKenzie) Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 07, 2008