CHRISTEL BRIGITTE SPLETZER (BAKUS)

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CHRISTEL BRIGITTE SPLETZER (nee BAKUS) It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and Oma on July 27th, 2011. She is surrounded and lovingly remembered by her husband of 50 years Rubin, daughters Sonya Dilling (Grant), Heidi Spletzer (Rick Stockley), Marlene Spletzer, Petra Spletzer (Chris Moffatt), as well as all her grandchildren, Christen, Justine Vergara (Andrew), Kayla, Matthew, Grant Jr., Devun, Mia, Julia, and Owen. She will also be sadly missed by her brother Kurt Bakus (Annelise), her sisters Ingrid Bredin (Don) and Ursel Boucher (Jim), as well as many relatives and friends. Christel was predeceased by her daughter Monika and her parents, Reinhold and Elise. Christel was born December 7, 1940 in Schönbrück, West Prussia, Germany. After the war of 1945 the family had to leave their farm, all belongings and flee for their safety to Germany. After reuniting with their father, the family made plans to immigrate to Canada. In 1954, they left Germany and settled in Canada joining other relatives in Winnipeg. Christel grew up on Home Street in Winnipeg. She attended General Wolf and Daniel McIntyre high school and later took courses at the University of Winnipeg. In her early adult years, Christel did additional training in the health care profession and was passionate about her work as an operating room technician at the Health Sciences Centre. Christel accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal saviour and was baptized on December 12th, 1954. She became an active member of McDermot Avenue Baptist Church and took various leadership positions. Christel was a board member of the Manitoba Arts Council for many years and participated in many community functions. She was also a board member and Vice President of the German-Canadian Studies Foundation at the University of Winnipeg. After her surgery for cancer, Christel joined the Winnipeg Ostomy Association and took on the responsibility of secretary. She visited patients at home or in the hospital and was a visitation coordinator for many years. Christel was very diligent and had a special gift for uplifting and comforting the patients. After a short courtship, she became engaged to Rubin Spletzer on September 26, 1959 and was married on April 9th, 1960. In the following decade she was blessed with five daughters. Christel is a special person who loved and was dedicated to her family and friends. We love you very much and will miss you. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21. A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 11:00 am at McDermot Avenue Baptist Church, 821 McDemot Avenue. Cremation has taken place and family and close friends will meet on Monday, August 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service 2146 Main Street. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Meadowood Foundation, 575-577 St. Anne's Road or the Dr. John Foerster Centre for Health Research on Aging Endowment Fund. Please make your cheque to the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation - D1003 - 409 Tache Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6. The family thanks the wonderful staff at Tache Centre Ward 5C and Dr. K. Coates for the extra love and care provided to Christel.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2011