DIETRICH PAULS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DIETRICH PAULS April 1, l924 September 3, 2009 Dietrich Pauls passed away peacefully on September 3, 2009 at age 85 at Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg. He was born on April 1, 1924 in the Ukraine (Einlage). His parents were Frank and Elizabeth Pauls. He was the youngest of 12 children. He attended a technical-vocational school learning how to work with metals. This helped him get a job in a factory building airplanes. Later during the occupation of the Germans he worked for a German bridge building company as an interpreter. In l943, the Russian army was getting closer and closer to his village. So he and his parents along with many others fled to Germany. They first arrived in Neustadt, West Prussia and then later settled in Berensdorf (50 km from Dresden). In l947, because Canada was not accepting any new immigrants, Dietrich and his parents with many other refugees left for Paraguay, South America. Over 2000 people arrived and founded the Colony Volendam. Here he met and married Katharina Berg on December 14, l948. They had two daughters, Erna and Irene and a son, Alvin. In October l957 they immigrated to Canada and settled in Winnipeg. He worked for Quality Construction (now Qualico) for 17 years and then eight years for Dashwood Industries. He took early retirement when the company was sold in l982. In his retirement he enjoyed working around the yard, helping his wife with their large garden and going for walks. He will be deeply missed by his wife Katharina, children Erna (Henry), Irene, and Alvin, grandchildren Cheri, Rod (Carolyne), Mike (Kelly), and Dan, and great-grandchildren Brittney, Thomas and Cole. He is also survived by his brother Frank Pauls (Selma), and many nieces and nephews in Canada, Russia and Germany. He was predeceased by his parents, parents-in-law and ten siblings. The family would like to thank Dr. Johnson and the staff of N1 North in Concordia Hospital for their excellent care. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, 926 Garfield Street, Winnipeg. Viewing will be held prior to the service. Interment will take place at Springstein Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2009