ELSE BARTSCH

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ELSE BARTSCH With great sadness the family announces the passing of our mother and Oma Else Bartsch aged 78 on July 4, 2005. Our beloved mother passed on to her eternal life peacefully at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Else was born in Poland June 8, 1927 the eldest of 10 children born to Kristian and Maria (nee Pauls) Rossol. Else was predeceased by her parents, four siblings in infancy, her only brother Reinhold Rossol 1983 and her brother-in-law John Doerksen 2002. Left to cherish her are her husband of 55 years Helmut; sons, Walter (Doris) with children, Rhea, Danielle and Emma of Portage La Prairie, Herbert, Klaus, Erich, Alfred; and daughter Ilona with husband Robert Maynard of Winnipeg. Also left to mourn are her three sisters, Irma Doerksen and family, Williams Lake BC, Ruth and (Erwin) Duester and family, Hildegard and (Walter) Thiessen and family; and sister-in-law Eileen Rossol and family, Kelowna, BC; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; in addition to an aunt and cousins in Germany and the United States. After the Second World War, Else met and married her husband Helmut in a refugee camp in Bachnang, West Germany on May 14, 1950. Helmut and Else and their first two sons immigrated to Canada in 1953 settling in Winnipeg where their family grew to include five sons and one daughter. Mother enjoyed working at a variety of jobs while devoting herself to raising her family. She particularly enjoyed spending many summer days at the family cottage at Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell, where she delighted in reading, writing, tending to her flowers and a collection of a large variety of garden gnombs and animals, her (Mini Park). Mom was very energetic and a kind and gentle soul who loved to entertain friends and family. Her greatest pleasure was derived from spending time with and watching her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews play together, grow up, and become skilled in the various water sports at the lake. Mom was the family historian and fountain of knowledge on family facts who knew and remembered all birthdays, and special events, and we will always remember happy family gatherings and celebrations at the lake on weekends, with all the aunts uncles, cousins, and friends. The family thanks the caring staff at the Grace Hospital and Dr. Barber for his skilled care during the past year. The family also thanks our brother Alfred for his compassionate care given to our mother over the last year and one half. Mom was a faithful member of the First Mennonite Church where the Celebration of her Life will be held on Friday, July 8 at 10.30 a.m., with viewing at 9.30 a.m. Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Else's memory to CancerCare or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Friends Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements Phone 339-5555.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2005