EMILY BESSELT (POHL)

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EMILY BESSELT (POHL) It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Oma, and Great-Oma, Emily Besselt (Pohl) in the Swan River Valley Hospital on April 7, 2000, with family by her side. Emily was born in Porozow, Poland on July 2, 1911 to William Pohl and Anna (Reichert) Pohl. Her mother passed away when Emily was about three years old, and soon she took on the added responsibility of helping with a large family. This is where she learned how to sew clothing for the many members of her family, and continued to sew for her own children until they were grown up, for herself, and even for relatives and neighbours. Here began her interest and skill in cooking, baking and being self-sufficient. On June 28, 1928, Mother married Edward Besselt and they immigrated to Minitonas, Manitoba on May 4, 1929. In 1931 they settled on a farm in the Swanford District, where they remained until 1981 when they retired to Swan River. Life on the farm helped shape Moms character. She was self-sufficient, innovative and determined, being alone much of the time while her husband was away earning a living. She milked the cows, fed the animals, gardened, cared for four small children and even helped with the farm work when necessary. She was helpful, kind and concerned about and committed to her own family as well as her extended family, helping to look after her father-in-law, and nephews, Oswald and Walter. Family meant a great deal to her and she was always concerned about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom she enjoyed and loved dearly. Besides her artistic flair for sewing and her expertise in cooking, baking and canning, she also loved singing and music. She participated in the womens group choir at church, listened to music and sang songs by herself until the day before she died. She loved gardening and flowers. If she visited someone and saw a new type of plant, she managed to get a small cutting or root and was able to make it grow and flourish. Her yard was beautiful and gave her enormous pleasure. Emily leaves to mourn her daughters, Rose (Ralph) Condon, Lillian (Joe) Gieni; her son, Lloyd (Corinne) Besselt, Os (Helen) Besselt; grandchildren Edward (Sharon) Condon, Joedy (Rose) Gieni, Carol (Ron Fines) Gieni, Randy Gieni, Laura OLeary, Eric (Donna) Besselt, Albert (Sherri) Besselt; and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one half-sister, Ruth in Germany and many nieces and nephews. Emily was predeceased by her husband, Edward in 1994, her daughter, Anne in December 1999, an infant son, Harold in 1938, her parents, her brothers Joseph, Reinholt, Johan, Samuel, her sister Olga Woidneck, half-sisters Otti Orsztynowitcz, Ida Fikes, Maria Pohl and three other siblings. Mom, we loved and cherished your life with us, and will treasure our many memories of you forever. The celebration of Emilys life will take place Saturday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church, Minitonas, Manitoba, with interment in the Minitonas Cemetery. Pastor Myron Henschel officiating. The pallbearers are grandsons Edward Condon, Eric Besselt, Randy Gieni, nephews Eric Polh, Oswald and Walter Besselt. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Emilys memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium in care of arrangements. 506-2nd Street North, Swan River, Manitoba 1 (204) 734-4556.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 12, 2000