Otto Uckermann

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OTTO UCKERMANN

Passed away peacefully, on November 22, 2015, at Bethesda Place, at the age of 98. He was predeceased his wife Vera, a son, Bernhard in infancy, grandson Karl, granddaughter Eileen, and brother-in-law Joseph..

Left to mourn his passing are; Margit (Fred) Wanke and Regina (Harold) Dueck, as well as six grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Renate Bachmeier, and the extended Bachmeier families.

Dad was born in Passow, Germany to Friedrich and Ida. There were three sisters and two brothers in his family. Dad chose to speak very little of his younger years.

After a brief courtship, dad married Vera Stein in 1942. They shared 54 years together. Dad and Mom chose to leave Germany to have a more peaceful life after the turbulence of the war years. Dad arrived in Quebec City in the summer of 1955, and the family followed, arriving in December of that year. In the first year of his move to Canada, dad had to fulfill his obligation to be a farm laborer in Ontario for one year, until the expenses of his travel were repaid.

The early years of the families arrival in Canada saw several moves and Dad held a variety of jobs, mainly building homes.

In 1960 we moved to the Steinbach area (Friedensfeld). Otto and Vera lived on a small acreage beside the old St. Pauls Lutheran Church for several years after which they purchased their farm which they farmed until 1995.

Dad's life was farming. He was not a man to have interests in hobbies or concerns that did not relate to farming the land or animals. Fortunately Mom, a city woman from Berlin, was well equipped to join dad in his farming life. In 1995, dad and mom moved to a senior’s apartment in Steinbach. The time there was very brief and Vera passed away in the spring of the following year. Dad moved to Winnipeg shortly after Mom's passing and lived with Harold and Regina in Westwood. During those years he was able to do a bit of travelling, visiting his grandchildren and their families, as well as frequent trips to the cottage with Harold and Regina.

Dad was a very quiet man, but still given to voicing strong opinions on many subjects. He was not given to expressing his emotions, yet we know he loved all of us. If a compliment or praise was given it was treasured. We remember his chuckles and the twinkle in his eyes.

In 2011 dad moved to Bethesda Place and remained there until his passing.

We thank the staff at Bethesda for caring for dad in the last days of his life. Thanks also to the regular visitors that brightened his life.

You are at peace now dad. We will miss you.

The memorial service for Otto, will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 11:00 a.m at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Nov 23, 2015