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LOREEN ARMBRUSTER
Born: Feb 02, 1938
Date of Passing: Nov 06, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryLOREEN ARMBRUSTER
Loreen (Auntie Lo) died peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. Loreen was the second of three children, born to Unnar (Levy) and Jonina Oddleifson in Winnipeg on February 2, 1938. She was predeceased by her husband Elwood, brother Edgar (Gary) Oddleifson, and sister, Adelaide Thoroski. Living on with loving memories are her many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and friends.
Auntie Lo started working at a young age as a bookkeeper, most notably for Dixon Motors and Towne Pontiac. In the mid-70s, she and Elwood owned and operated Armbruster’s Hobby Arts and Craft Shop in the Fort Richmond Mall where she loved creating memories with the families who shopped there. After they sold the hobby shop, she worked for many years at Fort Garry Florists until her retirement. An avid gardener, Auntie Lo always had flowers and knowledge to share and was most at home when she was digging in her flower beds and nursing a new seedling to flourish.
Auntie Lo was a fixture at all family events and was instrumental in the lives of her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and extended family. She was easy to talk to, a good listener, and had a loving embrace. Wherever she went, she made lasting friendships. Although her last few years were difficult due to a multitude of health issues, she was able to live at home as long as possible thanks to the help of home care and the community of friends at her condo at 175 Pulberry St. Her neighbors Yvette, Phyllis, Joanne, Giselle, and Paul always checked up to make sure she was safe, comfortable, and well fed.
The family wishes to give thanks to home care, the staff at Deer Lodge Centre, and West Park Manor. Their care and compassion are greatly appreciated.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Loreen’s life will be held at a later date.
Please, instead of flowers donate to the charity of your choice and give a hug to your friends and loved ones.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 16, 2024, Nov 16, 2024
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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I realize this is way after the fact but I was so sad to see that Sam (that is what she went by at Fort Garry Florists) had passed on. I just saw it now. She taught me so much when I began working at FGF. I was so young and my parents lived in Thunder Bay so I really felt like Sam filled a mother role in my life during that time. She was kind and a patient teacher. I moved on a few years later and never saw her again but we have exchanged Christmas cards for more than 35 years. I thought of her often over those years. It makes me sad that it has now come to an end. Thank you Sam for the blessing you were to me during a very vulnerable and impressionable time in my life. May you rest in peace. I will continue to think of you often. - Posted by: Shawna Friesen (Friend & Co-Worker at Fort Garry Florists) on: Nov 29, 2025
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Hello: I was a frequent customer at the Fort Richmond Store as a child. I believe there were also stores on River Ave. and Portage at Langside? I recall how Elwood always took a keen interest in my purchases and projects. While Elwood and Loreen may not have gotten rich as owners, they did enrich the lives of others. I am now over 60 and have wonderful memories of those days! RMGinter. - Posted by: Robert Ginter (A previous customer from the Fort Richmond Store) on: Dec 04, 2024
