KARL AUGUST GUENTHER SICKERT

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KARL AUGUST GUENTHER SICKERT May 16, 1928 - May 29, 2015 Peacefully, during a short stay at Victoria General Hospital, our Papa, Opa and husband, passed away due to natural causes, just two weeks after his 87th birthday, with family at his side. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gerda (nee Worgull) and his three children, Dr. Helga Sickert (Gary Hewitt), Rolf Sickert (Maria) and Ingrid McManes (Grant); his six grandchildren, Megan, Emma, Laura, Sophie, Marcus and Justin; as well as his youngest sister Gabriele Buschardt. Born in Ober-Mittelebersbach to Dr. Rudolf Sickert and his wife Elfriede (nee Nicke), he was the oldest of five children: Christian (d. 1988), Magdalene (d. 1998), Gabriele, and Dieter (d. 1991). By 1932, they were living in Neschwitz in the cherished home where his brother's family still resides. His journey brought him to Winnipeg, Canada in 1952, where he built a new life for himself. In 1958, he married Gerda Worgull, who immigrated from Germany to share this life with him. By 1962, he had begun his over 50-year career as a personal and small business accountant. He maintained this successful home business with Gerda helping with all the secretarial duties. He was extremely proud to be able to provide well for his family. German culture and the German language were cornerstones of his life. He was an active, contributing member of the German Society of Winnipeg since 1954, serving as Financial Secretary, Treasurer and two terms as President. He was proud to have helped with the establishment of Camp Neustadt on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, as well as helping to facilitate the affiliation of many of the smaller core groups in the club (The German Society Choir, the Mardi Gras Group (Der Treue Huzar), the FC Germania soccer team, the German Society Brass Band, the German Society Theatre Group and the Jagd and Angel Verein St. Hubertus). He was also a co-founder of the Villa Heidelberg and was a major supporter of the Kildonan Park Witches Hut. Membership in the German speaking congregation of St. Peter's Evangelical Church since 1954 was another way he supported the German community. He volunteered countless hours, tirelessly worked on funding drives, and personally provided financial support to a long list of German associations and clubs. His many contributions to German culture and ethnicity were recognized by the City of Winnipeg with the Citizenship Award and also by the Federal Republic of Germany with the Bundesverdienstkreuz. He was an avid stamp collector his entire life and was proud of his collections. History and geography were other passions that occupied him, and he loved to pull people into conversations about their origins and heritage. Throughout his life he was a voracious reader and enjoyed not only non-fiction and the news, but also mystery novels and crime shows and was a longtime supporter of PBS programming. He always regretted that he was unable to obtain a higher education in his youth due to his circumstances, and strove to support and encourage (if not mandate!) a University education for his children and grandchildren. He was thankful for the close group of German friends that formed a strong support network for himself and his wife, and who also became an extended family for his children. Mit grosser Vorfreude sah er immer den Festen entgegen die er in seinem Freundeskreis gefeiert hat. A memorial service will be held at St. Peters Evangelical Church (80 Walnut St.) on Saturday, June 13 at 14:30. Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his honour made to the German Society of Winnipeg, 285 Flora Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2W 2R2, would be appreciated by the family. "Wenn die Kraft versiegt, die Sonne nicht mehr waermt, dann ist der ewige Friede eine Erloesung."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2015