IDA ALMA KOWAL (STEINKE)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

IDA ALMA KOWAL
(nee STEINKE)
September 11, 1925 - May 17, 2020

Peacefully, on Sunday, May 17, 2020, our dear mom Ida passed away at River Park Gardens Personal Care Home. She was 94 years old.
Mom was born near Fredensthal, Manitoba, on September 11, 1925. She was the second youngest of seven children. She was predeceased by husband Carl Kellberg, brothers, Gustav, Reinhold, Frederick and Louis Steinke, sister Emma Gruenke, and by second husband Joseph Kowal. She was also predeceased by her dear son Gary in 2019.
Left to cherish her memory are her sister Martha Ganske, daughters, Shirley Marleau (Marc), Carolyn Gillespie (Colin), Gayle Martin (Carl), Joan Suderman (Rick), and grandchildren, Jacob, Dawn, Lindsay and Scott, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mom grew up on the family farm and then moved to Winnipeg, where she worked as a live-in housekeeper. She met Carl, the love of her life, and they married in 1952. For four years, together they operated the family fishing camp near Waldhof, Ontario, where their daughter Shirley was born, followed a year later by daughter Carolyn.
In 1956, they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In 1961, they moved back to Waldhof, having bought Deer Trail Lodge fishing camp. Tragically, Carl drowned a month later in a boating accident on Eagle Lake. Mom managed the camp for two seasons after his death.
She moved her family to Winnipeg, where she met Joseph and they married in 1964. Their son Gary was born the next year, followed by daughter Gayle four years later.
Mom loved being a homemaker and excelled at it! She was a great cook and baker. We all have fond memories of the smell of fresh baking wafting towards us as we came home from school. Though dealt the blow of learning Gary had severe disabilities, she was strong and always nurtured her family.
She travelled to Great Britain and in North America. In her later years, she enjoyed volunteering for the CNIB and Age and Opportunity Inc., the latter for 25 years.
She was also very involved with St. Amant Centre where Gary lived for many years.
She lived for nine years at Riverwood Square and for a year at River Park Gardens. We wish to thank the dedicated staff at both for the kindness, patience and dignity with which they provided excellent care to our mom.
To the end of her days, Mom's greatest joy was being with her family.

Her weary hours and days of pain,
Her troubled nights are past;
And in our aching hearts we know
She has found sweet rest at last.

A private family burial took place on May 22 at Glen Eden Cemetery.
To honour our mom, a memorial service will be held at a future date.
For those who wish, donations can be made to St. Amant Centre or a charity of their choice.
Publish Date: May 30, 2020

IDA ALMA KOWAL
(nee STEINKE)
September 11, 1925 - May 17, 2020

Ida passed away peacefully on May 17, 2020, at River Park Gardens Personal Care Home, at the age of 94.
Private family burial has taken place.
Longer obituary to follow.
Publish Date: May 23, 2020

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2020, May 30, 2020