ELSA (ELSIE) MEHMEL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ELSA (ELSIE) MEHMEL On Tuesday June 9, after a long and wonderful journey, Elsie was called home. Her life was a celebration of laughter - she loved life and she was a joy to all who knew her. Elsie had many interests. She was an enthusiastic golfer and bowler who particularly enjoyed the camaraderie of team sports. She loved the beach and although not an avid swimmer, could not stay away from the water. She led a very active life up to the time of hip surgeries in her seventies. Elsie loved to travel. Trips to Germany and Hawaii were very special to her. Everybody's favourite traveling companion, she was always game for motor, plane and train travel with friends and relatives, even into her nineties. Elsie offered her energy and service to many organizations such as the Business and Professional Women's Club, Zonta International, Aurora, and the Rebecca's. She was a long time member of the Winnipeg Winter Club and Pineridge Golf Club and carried on the family tradition with the German Club earning her club recognition as having the longest continuing membership. Elsie's zest for life was extended to her work world as well. She was employed by only three organizations in a professional career that spanned over forty years. Her first employment was with Sanford Evans. After almost two decades she accepted employment with Pitney Bowes where she worked up until retirement age. But Elsie was too young to retire. Term employment with the Department of Education (Manitoba Government) followed. She spent her earlier retirement years traveling and enjoying a very active social life. Elsie resided for ninety-five years in the family home built by her father and mother which was situated right across the street from the church (St. Paul's Lutheran) which held so many memories of family milestones. Her attachment to the Elmwood community and the family home was strong. But due to declining mobility, she decided in her 96th year to get her first' apartment. She made her home at Cathedral Manor where she and her sister Emma lived in adjacent apartments-independent, yet together. She greeted these last years with her usual spirit and enthusiasm, very happy in the love and spiritual grace so much a part of residents and staff of Cathedral Manor. Predeceased by her parents Ewald and Philippina Mehmel, brother Herman and sister-in-law Carrie, infant brother Paul, brother-in-law Bill (Emma) and nieces Carol and Myrtle, Elsie leaves to cherish her memory brother Rudy (Adelina) Mehmel, sister Emma Norris, sister Helen Mehmel, and brother Vincent (Norma) Mehmel; nieces and nephews Marlene Sullivan, William (Florence) Mehmel, Linda (Ray) Burdett, Connie (Mark) Koenker, Richard (Donna) Mehmel, Ronald (Deidre) Mehmel, Carla Norris-Raynbird, Heidi (Kevin) Corcoran, Allan (Kerstin) Mehmel, Jennifer Mehmel (Sixto Guiang), Corinne (Dorlan) Oxelgren, Gretchen Mehmel (Jeff Birchem), Paula Mehmel, Angela Mehmel (Robert Stangl) and many grand nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by grand-nephew Greg (Trisha) Raynbird with whom she had a special relationship. The family wishes to thank Cathedrale Manor personnel for their kindness and devotion to Elsie's care and the well being of family members in the past several days. The compassionate services by Home Care and We Care were also appreciated. We are also grateful for the selfless devotion of Connie Koenker and Angela Mehmel in attending to Elsie's medical care and staying with her during her final journey. The celebration of Elsie's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Neil Bardal Inc. 3030 Notre Dame Avenue, across from Brookside Cemetery with Reverend Dr. Paula Mehmel and Reverend Mark Koenker officiating. Interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elsie's memory may be made to the CNIB, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Social Services, or Cancer Care Manitoba. NEIL BARDAL INC. 204-949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 12, 2009