ELFRIEDE (ELFIE) SCHIMKE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ELFRIEDE (ELFIE) SCHIMKE August 27, 1932 - February 25, 2010 Elfie passed away peacefully with family by her side at Grace Hospice after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She leaves to mourn her profound loss, her loving family: daughter Evelyn Jacks, (with husband Al, sons Cordell and Don), daughter Kathy Rosato, (with husband Rino, daughter Cora and son Enzo), sister Lilo Klank, (with nephew Uli, niece Christel and family), sister-in-law Nelly Schneider (with children Franz and Ina Schneider, Ute McDiarmid and their families), and brother-in-law Horst Schimke (wife Gisela, son Christian). Extended family members, precious and dear, include Ida Mayer and daughters Ellen and Heidi, the Rosato, Jacks, Cullen, Davenport, Deezar and Deschambault families, and so many others who were adopted by Oma Elfie, as she was affectionately called. Oma Elfie was predeceased by her beloved husband Harry, her cherished daughter Elisabeth (Betty), her brothers Gus and Helmut Klank, sister Annemarie Patting, brother-in-law Franz Schneider and cousin-in-law Hugo Mayer. Oma Elfie was 21 when she arrived with her new husband Harry and little more than a crate of linens and broken dishes from post war Europe. The youngest of six children, she was the spirited one, whose high energy level was a lifelong gift and a challenge for most to keep up with! Oma Elfie loved music; she had the voice of an angel and could whistle any tune with gusto! She was also an incredible cook. There was no saying no to even the third helping of Oma's wonderful German meals and baking. Sundays at Grand Beach and later at the family cottage she built together with Dad at Clear Lake, turned into lavish family celebrations with great food, wine and happy times. She equally loved to work around the house and cottage - cleaning, painting, whistling and tending to her beautiful rock gardens. She also loved working at Eaton's in the ladies fashion department. Oma Elfie was an exemplary caregiver. Her devotion to her daughter Betty, who struggled with breast cancer for eight years, was an inspiration. Betty's death, three weeks after her own devastating cancer diagnosis, was heartbreaking to such a caring mom. Oma Elfie, you were a little person with a mighty presence; not only our devoted Mom and Oma, but a beloved Mom and Oma to everyone you came in contact with. You had high standards for all of us and great integrity. You were a realist who saw the world from the perspective of a child's wartime survival, and you deeply understood what's right and what's not, freely sharing your practical wisdom, because you cared. Most significantly, you successfully turned your own suffering into a deep love that encircled those around you. You blessed us with your devotion. Rest in peace, beloved Oma Elfie. Funeral services will be held at E.J. Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald Street on Wednesday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grace Hospice, through the Grace Hospital Foundation. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E. J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2010