MARTHA LOFENDALE (ZIOLA)

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MARTHA LOFENDALE (nee ZIOLA) At the age of 89 years, Martha Lofendale (nee Ziola) passed away peacefully at the St. Boniface General Hospital, on December 6, 2008 with her daughter Jan at her side. Martha would have been 90 on January 13, 2009. She is survived by her daughters, Valerie and Janice, son Donald and grandsons, Devin Rychliski and Matthew Lofendale. She was predeceased by her husband Len on October 15, 1987 and son-in-law Gerry Rychliski on July 31, 2003. Martha was born and raised in Margo, SK. She had many happy times on the family farm, though she sadly lost both her parents at too young of an age, 8 years and 13 years old. She later lived and worked in Wainwright, AB and Flin Flon, MB, before coming to Winnipeg for further studies. She married Len Lofendale on December 7, 1946. They lived in EK, then the Elmwood area for all their married life. She loved all sports, especially baseball, playing as a pitcher on her community baseball team for many years. In later life she enjoyed watching Blue Jays baseball games on TV and in person, attending many concerts and travelling. In addition to working part-time as her children got older and then almost full-time, Martha also volunteered her time in many ways. She was Secretary of the River Elm PTA, George V PTA and then Secretary of the Elmwood High School Band Parents Association for many years. She spearheaded a major fund raising initiative for the EHS Band, which was a great success. She also volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Martha was a hard-working person, very determined and very dedicated. She was always ready to help friends, neighbours and family in any way she could. She was devoted to her family. Her two grandsons brought love and happiness to her heart and they adored her. Her family was often with her and among many special times were Sunday dinners at Am's house. When Devin was little, he could not say Gramma and called her Amma. She loved the name and from then on Martha was known most of the time as Amma or Am. In addition to her father and mother, Thomas and Mathilda, who were both born in Germany, in the Poland Germany Corridor; Martha was also predeceased by six brothers and two sisters and their spouses. She is survived by her sister-in-law on Len's side, Rene Lofendale of Flin Flon. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and close friends. Mum was very independent and managed to live in the family home until August of 2007, when she went into Deer Lodge Hospital. She lived at Beacon Hill Lodge since January 10, 2008, but was able to go home often when Jan was in town. It is wonderful that Mum had most of this summer at home while Jan stayed with her. She enjoyed the people at Beacon Hill as well as the time she was able to spend at home. We wish to thank the staff at Beacon Hill Lodge. We also wish to thank the medical and nursing staffs: of St. B CPRU and ER, especially Dr. Erik Smith; and of B5, especially Tessie Soliven. Your care, compassion and treatment brightened our Mum and Amma's last three days through a very difficult time. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler Ave. (at Henderson Hwy). Viewing at 1:30 p.m. Interment in the Elmwood Cemetery. WE LOVE YOU AM

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2008