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ADELE (FREUND) SCHMITKE
May 20, 1917-Dec. 4, 2019
Adele Freund was born at home in Friedensfeld, MB on May 20, 1917. She died at the age of 102 on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in Bethesda Place, with her son Glen and granddaughter Barilee at her side. She was the fifth of 10 surviving children born to Adolf and Juliana Freund.
She loved being called Mom, Grandma and Auntie Della. She was mother to sons, Elvin (Mabel) and Glen (Carol), grandmother to Karla, Barilee and Erich, great-grandma to Zander, Mira, Dax, Emerson and Ava.
In 2004, Della welcomed step grandchildren Abigail (Josh) and Christopher (Ariana), followed in future years by little Olivia, Charlotte and Cora. Until 2013, Della made yearly visits by train, bus or plane to see both sons and their families.
Della was predeceased by her husband Rudolf, her parents and all her siblings, and her daughter-in-law Debra.
She was known by family and friends for homemaking skills: sewing, baking, cooking, gardening and preserving. Many family members have been gifted one of her quilts.
Della would consider that her best decision was to marry Rudolf Schmitke in 1938. His sudden death in 1978 rocked her world, but Della persevered, maintaining her home to a high standard, travelling and managing her finances. At the age of 93, she sold her home and moved to Fernwood. At 95, a fall left her unable to live unassisted, moving to Bethesda Place, where she often professed, “They treat me so good here.”
In the ’70s, Rudolf and Della travelled to Australia and the Holy Land. Della was a woman of faith, enjoying daily devotions and weekly Bible studies.
The family wishes to express our gratitude for the love and support of friend Susan Snead, nephew Gordon Pachal (Lorraine), niece Janice Beckman (Rodney) and nephew Lloyd Pachal (Kathy), the spiritual support of Pastor Gudmundson and the care provided by staff of Bethesda Place.
The funeral for Adele Schmitke was held on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Steinbach, MB.
Memorial gifts may be made to St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 465 Henry St, Steinbach, MB.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel Co-op 1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030;
www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com.
As published in The Carillon on Dec 18, 2019