ALI KITSCH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALI (ALICE) KITSCH (nee COUTU) (nee DE JAGER) Suddenly, Ali passed away at age 78 in Gimli, Manitoba, on January 3, 2016. Ali leaves to mourn nine children: Edward, Carl, Farrell, Lance; Holly, Earl, Calvin, Cherry and Sarina, two brothers, three sisters, 24 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (and one on the way) and numerous nieces and nephews. Ali was predeceased by her first husband Leo Coutu (1972); second husband Orland Kitsch (October, 2015); oldest son Lorne (May, 2015); sister Sadie (2014); and parents, Edward and Anna de Jager. Ali was born on April 5, 1937 in Stiens, Friesland, Netherlands, where she excelled at sports and academics. Leaving the devastation of Europe, caused by the Nazi's during the Second World War, Ali, with her family, immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1954. Working life was hard in her new adopted country; first clearing farm fields of rocks and stones by hand, then sugar beets outside of Portage la Prairie. Ali's love of people and keen intellect allowed her to master the English language very quickly, both spoken and written, to become an au pair enabling her to do what she loved best, communicating and meeting with people. Raising 10 children is enough work in itself, but Ali, because of her tremendous drive and motivation, started her own cleaning business, and had faithful clientele for decades. After becoming empty nesters, Ali and Orland moved to Inwood, Manitoba in the late 1980s. Ali then began to work at her second love, gardening, taking a job in Sandy Hook Nursery, where her love for plants and flowers began to flourish. Ali spent her time in Inwood planting and nurturing her own flower garden, which envied most, but awed by all. Ali and Orland ventured into a business together by planting and caring for exterior grounds for people and businesses around the Interlake area. It is with deep regret we announce the passing of our mother. There are so many "what ifs", and so many "I wishes" and longings in her passing that cannot be expressed to her now, but we, as a family, know that we can continue to love one another as she did. We, in our peace, shall see her in paradise, just as Jesus has promised in Luke, chapter 23, verse 43. Memorial service will be held at Wheeler Funeral Home, 1800 Day St., Winnipeg, MB, 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 16, 2016. Flowers graciously accepted (she loved them) and\or donations can be made, in her name, to World Vision Canada. Funeral Arrangements in Care of: Wheeler Funeral Home Cemetery & Crematorium 1800 Day Street - 204-224-1525 Please sign the book of memories at www.wheelerfuneral.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 11, 2016