CLARA WALMSLEY (RENN)

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CLARA WALMSLEY (nee RENN) Clara was born December 14, 1922 in Brezinny, Poland. She came to Canada in 1930 with her parents and brother Alvin; brother Harold was born in Graysville, 1933. Clara worked hard on the farm with her parents and then took up Hairdressing in Winnipeg. She worked in Winnipeg, Dryden, and Carman. While in Carman she met her husband Ed Walmsley in 1941. They were married February 17, 1943. Husband Eddy was in the Air Force, and they moved a lot. In 1943-1944, Clara followed Eddy to Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Pat Bay, B.C. They lived 17 months at Pat Bay while Eddy taught Wireless Air Gunners. Their daughter Gail was born at Pat Bay on May 11, 1945. After the war ended the Walmsleys arrived back at Elm Creek, where they ran Eddys Cafe for seven years and Eddys Grocery for 30 years. Their daughter Gail also liked working with the public. Clara worked with the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and helped with all church work, ending as secretary for twelve years. She also helped with other Community affairs; baking, cooking and serving at weddings and banquets. In 1975 Clara and Eddy retired from store business in Elm Creek. Clara enjoyed her grandchildren, she especially loved buying clothes for them and knitting for them, when they were small. After her retirement, Clara liked helping many people when their health was failing, and they were unable to do many things for themselves. She also loved to help her daughter and the grandchildren. She missed her long time friend Nelda Tkachyk after she passed in September of 1995, they had been friends for 37 years. Clara enjoyed her plane trips with Eddy to Halstenbeck, near Hamberg Germany in 1986. She met many of her cousins, two aunts and an uncle. She also enjoyed a couple of trips to Orlando Florida, to visit Eddys cousins, Dorothy and Margaret. She enjoyed a visit from three of her family from Germany in 1989. Clara was predeceased by her father January 1, 1957; her mother on September 21, 1984; her brother Alvin on April 30, 1987; her daughter Gail on July 28, 1991; and by her husband Edwin (Eddy) on December 15, 1994 of 52 years together. Clara leaves to mourn her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lynne (Ron) Rosengren of Mississauga, ON, Philip (Shannon) and Alyssa and Caitlyn Aune of Cameron, ON, Debbie (Mike) and Tamara and Crystal Banman of Elm Creek, MB. She is also survived by son-in-law Dennis Aune of Thunder Bay, ON; her brother Harold (Mary) and Valerie Renn of Winnipeg, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives in Germany. Graveside service will be held from the Elm Creek Cemetery, on Friday, December 5 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Brad Elliott officiating. Reception will follow at the Elm Creek Community Hall. If friends desire donations may be made to the Carman Hospital, Box 610, Carman, R0G 0J0 or a charity of ones choice. Doyles Funeral Chapel of Carman in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 04, 2003