LUCIE ANNEMARIE KRUSE (NEUBECKER)

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LUCIE ANNEMARIE KRUSE (NEUBECKER) November 7, 1925 - July 31, 2009 Our dearly beloved Mum, Oma and Oma-Ur, Lucie Kruse, completed her life journey on July 31, 2009. She died with courage and grace in the arms of her beloved daughter, Ingrid, but surrounded in spirit by the rest of her family. She will be dearly missed by her loving daughters, Burga (her devoted companion and caregiver) and Ingrid (Reinhard), her beloved grandsons, Sven (Allison) and Erik (Ashley), and the lights of her life, her great-grandchildren Magnus and Layla Butenschon. She will also be missed by nieces Gisela (Egon) Knudsen and Ingrid (Konrad) Bieber and special extended family Helga and Sigmund Geib. Her dear cousins in Regina: Ruth, Anita (John), Ingrid and Gero (Helen) always held a special place in heart. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Wilhelm; her parents Katarina and Johann and her beloved siblings: Minna, Willi and Erich. Lucie was born on November 7, 1925 in Gotenweg, East Prussia. By her own account she had a very happy childhood. Being the youngest of four children she was spoiled by her parents and older siblings. She always loved children, so she became a kindergarten teacher at a very young age. This idyllic childhood came to a tragic end when at the end of the Second World War in February, 1945 at the age of 19 she had to flee the advancing Russian troops to the safety of the Allied controlled zones in western Germany. She never saw her parents again, presumably they were killed before they were able to follow her way to western Germany where she was eventually reunited with her siblings. In June of 1949, again showing fortitude and determination, she decided to immigrate alone to Winnipeg, Canada where her uncle Fritz and aunt Mary, along with five cousins, welcomed her with open arms. She learned English and began working in a sewing factory. Much was her joy when her sister Minna and family joined her in Winnipeg a few years later. She soon met a dashing bachelor, Bill Kruse, 20 years her senior, and they were married on September 29, 1951 here in Winnipeg. She always said it was love at first sight for her! On October 12, 1952 she gave birth to twin daughters who were the focus of her life until her dying moments. She loved her family above all things: her biggest concern was always that everyone had enough to eat! (a carryover from her days of almost starvation in postwar Germany). She loved having company and whenever company showed up, even last minute, there was always a meal on the table and home made cake for dessert. Many summers were spent around the pool at home or at the cottage at Grand Beach, surrounded by family and friends. Her daughters will always cherish those special memories of their childhood. The one thing we will always about our mother is her generosity and caring for others. She never failed to help out anyone in need, whether it meant taking in a little girl who had lost her mother and providing a loving interim home for her or taking care of a dear family friend, Auntie Taylor, who had no family of her own. Her heart was always in the right place and sometimes bigger than her pocketbook! When her grandsons were born, her focus switched from her daughters to them! Now, we were second fiddle! Her love, generosity and pride in Sven and Erik is something they will carry with them always. Whenever they needed anything all they needed to do was ask Oma! Lucie lived in the family home on Kildonan Drive until June, 2009 when it was decided that she needed the 24 hour care of a nursing home. She spent 3 weeks in the Maples Personal Care Home and was getting settled in when she became ill and needed emergency surgery. She came through her surgery like a trooper but unfortunately infection set in sending her into septic shock a couple of weeks ago, from which she never recovered. It was heartbreaking to let her go, but we are relieved that she is now free of pain! Aus unserem Leben bist du gegangen, in unserem Herzen bleibst du. Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Chapel Lawn 885 - 9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2009