IRENE AUGUSTA NAUJOKS (KUHR)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

IRENE AUGUSTA NAUJOKS (nee KUHR) Peacefully on Monday, June 19, 2000, with her family by her side, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, Mrs. Irene Augusta Naujoks, aged 69 years, passed away. Left to cherish her memories are her loving husband Emil, with whom she shared 47 years of marriage; daughters, Rita (Robin) Henderson, Ruby (Darrell) Grymonpre; son Richard (Michelle) Naujoks and six grandsons, Dylan, Kyle and Marcus Grymonpre and Scott, Brendan and Riley Naujoks. She is also survived by her brothers, Emil (Ursula) Kuhr, Albert (Dzidra) Kuras and Edmond Kuhr, their children and a large extended family. Born in Lithuania, Irene came to Canada in 1948 and has since resided in Winnipeg. In her earlier years, Mom was an active member of St. Peters Lutheran Church where she was involved with the Luther League and the church choir. It was through the church, on Christmas Eve, that Mom met Emil, her future husband. Moms involvement with the church continued as a Sunday School teacher and her faith guided her throughout life. Mom worked as a seamstress until 1956 when she decided to dedicate her life to raising her new family. She was of continued inspiration and support for Emil. It was with Emil, in 1960, that she helped in the establishment of Centennial Wire Products Ltd. which has since flourished into a successful family business. Irene was a dedicated mother and "Oma." With Moms commitment, love and devotion we were given the foundation to carry on the tradition of family with each other. Irenes greatest joys were her cooking and baking. Everyone had a favourite "Tante Irene" dish. Whenever Mom threw a party there was always enough to eat...again, and again, and again. Mom shared many good times with friends and family. She enjoyed her afternoon coffee klatsch and gatherings at the German Hall. She looked forward to her weekends when she could sing and dance the night away. The polka was her favourite. Mom spent many summers at Twin Lakes beach where her door was always open and many enjoyed her generous hospitality. Irenes pallbearers will be her nieces, Edith OConnor, Edith Simpson and Cindy Vogt and nephews, Rudy Kitsch and Perry and Ilmars Kuras. Honorary pallbearers will be Erwin Kuhr (Fort McMurray) and Katherine Kuhr (San Diego). Thank you, God, For pretending not to notice that one of Your angels was missing and for guiding her to us. You must have known how much we would need her, so You turned Your head for a minute and allowed her to slip away to us. Sometimes we wonder what special name You had for her. We called her "Mother." Not having her with us now is unbearable. We dont know what we would have done without her all these years. She loved us without reservation - whether we deserved to be loved or not. Willingly and happily she fed us, clothed us, taught us, encouraged us, inspired us, and with her own special brand of gentleness, reprimanded us. A bit of heavens own blue, her eyes reflected hope and love for Your and her family. She has tried to instill that love in us. She was not the least bit afraid of work. With her constant scrubbing, polishing, painting and fixing she had made every house we lived in a beautiful home. When we were confused, she set us straight. She knew what mattered and what didnt. What to hold on to and what to let go. You have given her an endless supply of love. She gave it away freely yet never seemed to run low. Even before we were aware of a need, she was making plans and working to supply it. You gave her great patience. She was the best listener we met. With understanding and determination she always seemed to turn a calamity into some kind of success. She urged us to carry our own load in life but was always close by if we stumbled under the burden. She hurt when we hurt. She cried when we cried. She was not happy until she saw a smile on our face once more. Although she taught us to pray, she never ceased to invoke Your richest blessings upon us. Thank the other angels for filling in for her while she was away. We know it hasnt been easy. Her shoes would be hard to fill. She has to be one of Your greatest miracles, God, and we want to thank You for lending our mother to us. Pastor Heimo Bachmeyer will officiate at the funeral service to be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 23, in St. Peters Lutheran Church, 65 Walnut St. Interment will follow in the family plot in Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irenes memory to the St. Peters Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. Kerrs Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements; phone 943-6688.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2000