STEFANIE KRATSCHMAR

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STEFANIE KRATSCHMAR On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, Stefanie Kratschmar passed away peacefully at Victoria General Hospital at the age of 81 years. Stefanie will be remembered by her husband of 58 years, Josef, daughter Darlene (Hannes), sons Ronald (Lori) and Kenneth (Tania) and grandchildren Andrea, Jorden, Liam and Aiden. Stefanie is predeceased by her parents Stefan and Rosa Kaufman and her brother, Drago. Mom was born on May 22, 1932 in Osijek, Yugoslavia. At the age of 12, she fled to Linz, Austria with her parents. It was in the refugee camp that she met her silver lining and future husband, Josef. They immigrated to Canada in May 1954 and were married the same year at St. Josef's Church in Winnipeg. Their determination to build a better life continued, and they worked and saved tirelessly for six years in the hopes of eventually returning to Austria. Mom first worked as a nanny and then as a labourer in a jeans factory, all the while inadvertently growing to see Winnipeg as her preferred long-term home. But it was only when she and Josef set out on a one-way flight to Austria on October 1, 1960, that both realized their aspirations had changed to include Winnipeg in an indispensable way. After a matter of only a few months, they returned to Canada and had their daughter Darlene shortly thereafter. In June, 1961 they bought their first home on Borebank Street in River Heights. Their sons Ron and Ken were born in September 1962 and May 1967, respectively. Exemplary of the importance that she has always placed in family, Mom offered a home to her parents when they too sought a life in Canada. After a year, her parents too found a nearby house in River Heights, creating the strong community and family environment that her children would grow up in. Borebank was Mom's home for 43 years, until she moved to Whyteridge in 2004. She was very happy to finally be in a house without stairs. From its founding in 1974, she was actively involved with the family business. She also served as president of the Friends of Austria and was one of its members for over 40 years. Two countries had offered her the opportunity to improve her life, and she was always eager to make meaningful contributions to both. Mom loved the racetrack and spent many hours at Assiniboia Downs. She eventually purchased a share in several horses and loved cheering them on. Mom watched the Preakness Stakes from her hospital bed on May 18. From 1965 to 1995, she was part of the Happy Bowling League on Wednesday nights at Chateau Lanes. She enjoyed vacationing in Las Vegas and Hawaii, socializing at many ladies luncheons, watching curling and playing cribbage with family and friends at the cottage on Dorothy Lake. We would like to thank all the dear friends who came to visit and support our mother during her illness and to the staff at Victoria Hospital for their compassionate care. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 4588 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg, on Monday, June 3, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Msgr. Maurice Comeault officiating. E. J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors, 204 - 253 - 5086, www.ejcoutu.com "Was Du an Liebe uns gegeben, dafuer ist jeder Dank zu klein. Was wir an Dir verloren haben, das wissen wir nur ganz allein."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 01, 2013