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LEAH MAE BRETHAUER
Born: Sep 11, 1932
Date of Passing: Oct 27, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryLEAH MAE BRETHAUER
Leah Mae Brethauer (nee Smith) passed away peacefully at Maples Personal Care Home on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Leah was predeceased by her parents; brother Herbie; sister Shirley; sister Ida; and the love of her life, husband Laurie (Lawrence Donald) in 1983. She is survived by her sister Joyce; children, Gord, Gary (Debb), Lynda (Paul); beloved grandchildren, Christine (Derek), Adam, Curtis (Krysten), Steven (Randi), Colin (Dorothy), and Hayley (Cindy); and she was lucky enough to enjoy nine great-grandchildren.
Leah was born on September 11, 1932, to market gardeners, William Kean Smith and Jessie (Clouston) Smith. She was born during the Great Depression, but she had an idyllic childhood in Old Kildonan. She always said they never realized how poor they were, because everyone was in the same unfortunate circumstances. Leah remembered her oldest brother Herbie going to war, but she couldn’t understand why everyone was crying because she thought he looked so handsome in his uniform.
Leah loved books, loved travel, and loved cake. You can be sure she would always have a library book on the go. Her sweet tooth was well known, and you could always find a sweet treat in her pantry. Her greatest loves were her grandchildren. After Laurie died, she had a new reason to live and thrive. She threw herself into grandparent mode, attending sports events, dance recitals, school plays, and everything they were involved in. She would always be available to care for a sick child, to drop off forgotten homework, or to babysit for a date night.
Leah worked many office jobs, and later spent the majority of her adult life working at Sears Canada in various capacities. She retired from Sears at 65, and really started to live life. She travelled with her sisters or friends to Hawaii, Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Mexico, and she went on a Caribbean cruise. She also took up golf. She finally got her ears pierced after wearing clip-ons for her entire adult life.
Leah’s family are eternally grateful to the staff at Maples Personal Care Home, especially Eva and Luz. The staff took such good care of her for the two years she was there, and the hospice care was filled with love and compassion. We cannot thank you enough.
Pallbearers will be Derek Oleschak, Adam Brethauer, Curtis Brethauer, Steven Brethauer, Colin Venton, and Dayton Brethauer.
Even though flowers are beautiful, we suggest a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada if you are so inclined.
The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m., at Cropo Funeral Chapel (1442 Main Street). Leah will be laid to rest at Holy Family Cemetery next to her husband Laurie.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 31, 2026