ANNE JULIA GASCHERMANN (BESSELT)

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ANNE JULIA GASCHERMANN (nee BESSELT) Anne Julia Gaschermann passed away suddenly in Swan River with family by her side on December 24, 1999. Anne was born in Minitonas, Manitoba to Edward and Emily (Pohl) Besselt on June 28, 1929. She lived on a farm in the Swanford School District where she attended Swanford School, then Minitonas Collegiate and Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg for Grade 12. Being the oldest child, she learned very early the meaning of responsibility and hard work. Even though money was scarce, she was able to take piano lessons, taught herself how to play the guitar, to yodel and to sing. She participated in the choir and a trio with her two sisters. Her father and mother and Uncle Joe contributed greatly to her lifelong love of music. Anne was a very artistic, talented person and could use her hands to make beautiful crocheted bedspreads and afghans, very unique crocheted and beaded Christmas and other seasonal decorations and ornaments. Her talent extended to floral arrangements and her family will treasure these baskets and arrangements forever. After high school Anne became a teacher. Teachers were scarce and Anne was able to take a six week course at the Manitoba Teachers College and then teach on permit. She taught at a number of one-room country schools, including Allenvale, McKay, Sinclair, and Roaring River. After teaching, she went to Winnipeg and worked as a bookkeeper at Birks, Manitoba Health, and Town and Country Restaurant. In 1960 Anne married Kurt Gaschermann and eventually moved to Prince George, BC where Anne worked for Beaver Lumber. Later she moved to Lethbridge, Alberta and continued working for Beaver Lumber until they closed. She always had an interest in looking after and caring for people, and found employment caring for an invalid, blind pensioner. Anne then moved back to Swan River, living with her parents for a short time, and then moved back to Winnipeg, living with her sister Rose Condon and working part-time caring for young children while their parents worked. In 1991 Anne returned to Swan River where she cared for her ailing parents, her father until July, 1994 and her mother until Annes death. Besides the aforementioned, she also was a gourmet cook and we loved visiting her home in Winnipeg and sampling the elaborate meals and desserts she created. Other areas Anne loved were gardening and flowers. If there was a wee plot of ground still available, she filled it with flowers, which she tended with loving care. Anne was always generous and gave freely of the little she had to her family, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Her nurturing, maternal instincts were very evident in being like a mother away from home to her siblings. Anne was predeceased by an infant brother in 1938, her father Edward in July, 1994. Left to mourn her untimely passing are her mother, Emily; two sisters, Rose (Ralph) Condon of Winnipeg, Lillian (Joe) Gieni of Brandon, and her brother Lloyd (Corinne) Besselt of Swan River and Oswald (Helen) Besselt who was raised like a son by Annes parents; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. We cherish your life with us, Anne, and we will love and remember you forever. The last Biblical memo we found in Annes room was "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver Thee." Psalms 50:15 Funeral service was held from the First Baptist Church in Minitonas, Man. on Thursday, December 30 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Myron Henschel officiating. Interment will follow in the Minitonas Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium in care of arrangements, 506-2nd Street North, Swan River, MB (204) 734-4556.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 29, 1999