ANNA MARIA (NANNY) GOHL (LAUTSCH)

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ANNA MARIA (NANNY) GOHL (nee LAUTSCH) Peacefully, on August 29, 2010 in Concordia Hospital after a brief illness, Anna passed away at the age of 93. Anna will be lovingly remembered by her children: son Karl (Ann), daughters Elizabeth (Andre) Lansard, Diana (Arthur) Laliberté, Elaine (Jock) McKay; grandchildren Lisa (Bryce) Kohlmeier, Carl Gohl, Laura Gohl, Edward Gohl, Leah Lansard (Matthew Linklater), Cheney Lansard, Buddy (Jacqueline) Laliberté, Daniel (Nadine) Laliberté, Pauline (Quinn) McKone, Jonathan McKay and six great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Kristen, Darryl, Cody, Amber and Avery. Anna was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Karl, her parents, three brothers and one sister. She has one surviving sister, Dr. Elizabeth Lautsch, in Florida. Anna was born on a farm in Prairie Grove, but spent her childhood from ages three to ten in what was then Poland. It was there she developed her language proficiency. She spoke German, Ukrainian, Polish, besides her native English. Anna farmed alongside her husband for many years. Besides farming and raising her family, she was Secretary-Treasurer of the Prairie Grove local of the Manitoba Farmers' Union for the entire time of its existence. To supplement the family income after Karl suffered a back injury, Anna went to work at the newly built restaurant at Deacon's Corner. Here, she was a cook through a series of owners including Salisbury House. She enjoyed the work tremendously because it gave her the opportunity to meet and converse with many different people. She continued working at Sal's until she was 75 years old. Mom always believed in the importance of learning and encouraged her children to pursue higher education and she was proud of their accomplishments. She enjoyed travelling with Karl to many parts of the world from Churchill to Scotland, from San Francisco to Australia. Always what she enjoyed the most on these trips was meeting people. Anna was an enigma. She was hard as nails when fighting for what was needed or what she wanted, but compassionate and generous of heart and spirit to anyone in need or to those she loved. She loved dancing and playing cards, but was devoted to reading her Bible daily and attending mass on Sundays. As an example, on meeting her new family physician for the first time, he recalls, She scared me, but when she left, she gave me a big hug . The family would like to extend thanks to One South at Concordia Hospital for their special care and kindness. We extend heartfelt appreciation to all her friends and neighbours at Kin Place for their many thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3, 2010 at Green Acres Funeral Home with Father Robb McDougall presiding. Interment will follow in Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation, 350 Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata, ON., K2M 2W1. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery 1 Green Acres Lane, Springfield (204) 222-3241 Hwy #1 East inside the Perimeter at Winnipeg Life stories may be shared at www.mem.com Condolences may be sent to: www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 01, 2010