IRENE MENZEMER (KERN) -

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IRENE MENZEMER (nee KERN) 1914 - 2011 At the age of 97, after a life filled with love and surrounded by family, Irene left us Tuesday, October 11 at Seven Oaks Hospital. Born September 13, 1914 in Torzau, Yugoslavia to Elisabeth (nee Metzner) and Elek Kern. The family immigrated to Canada in 1930 and settled in Winnipeg, ultimately making a life-long home in West Kildonan. Irene was predeceased by husband Gustav, whom she met while working at Jacob and Crawley. They married in 1940 and had daughters Inge Emmonds and Hilda (Denis) Andrews. Irene is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Garth (Sue), Lisa, Kirsten (Paul) and Elise (Eric). Circumstances later blessed her with Tracy and Eddie whom she loved as her own. Great-grandchildren Maddie, Lily, Catie, Quinn, Felix and Morgan, cousins Evi (Heinrich), Louis, Peter, Elizabeth, Irene, Tammy and families, dear Tante Beba, and many more nieces, nephews, relatives and friends in Winnipeg, BC and Germany. Irene was a true matriarch. She took great care in keeping house, loved gardening, and above all cooking and baking for her cherished family - always purposeful in making enough to share. She is a truly kind spirit, selfless until the end, generous to a fault. Oma was extra special to her grandchildren. She was the biggest supporter, best cook, and finest mender. She went out of her way to make each child feel special and loved whether it was inviting you to investigate her purse for hard candy, gifting freshly minted coins and later bills, knitting you a special afghan, helping to buy your first car, or simply making sure you always had extra socks and a good tea towel. Her thoughts rarely strayed from her grandchildren, and more recently her great-grandchildren. Irene spent 72 summers watching her sundowns at Twin Lakes Beach and loved her time there connecting deeply with all the elements. A Mother's love is like a circle; it has no beginning and no ending. It keeps going around and around, ever expanding, touching everyone who comes in contact with it. Engulfing them like the morning's mist, warming them like the noontime sun, and covering them like a blanket of evening stars. A family gathering to celebrate Irene's life will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your charity of choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2011