JEAN MARGARET GOETTLER (AGNEW) -

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JEAN MARGARET GOETTLER (AGNEW) 1926 - 2005 After a five year battle with colon cancer, Jean peacefully passed away at St. Boniface Hospital, surrounded by family on August 10, 2005. Jean is survived by her devoted husband John and their children, Valerie (Jim) French and children, Tina (Les Henderson) Gibson, Ryan (Michelle Kreutzer) and Meghan (Dan) Waters; (her favourite ?) Jack (Cindy) Goettler and children, Emily and John; Bob (Vivian) Goettler and children, Kristine and Jarrett; Beverly (Des Anderson) Graham and her children, Jennifer, Andrew and Alanna. Jean was a proud wife, grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of seven and great-great-grandmother of one. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn and brothers, George and Bob Agnew and by her sisters-in-law, Teresa Little and Margie Schlachter. Jean was born in North Battleford, SK but spent her formative school years in Neepawa, MB. She was predeceased by her parents, Angelina and George Agnew and five siblings. In 1943 Mom completed high school and went to Ottawa with two girlfriends and worked with the Department of Defense until the end of The Second World War. After the war she met a returning soldier, John Goettler. They fell in love and were married in Saskatoon in 1947. All four children were born in Saskatoon. We lived in Regina for four years and Mom sited these as some of the best years. In 1961 the family moved to Winnipeg. Mom was a stay-at-home Mom until the twins, her youngest, completed elementary school. She then worked as an administrator on a part-time basis for several firms. Her final position was full time with Powers Regulators (10 years) until she and dad decided to take an early retirement in 1983. Retirement was a whole new era for Mom and Dad. They built their much-loved cottage at Arness and Mom took up painting and became an accomplished artist. Her art now serves as a wonderful reminder for all her family. Mom and Dad loved to travel and had many years of travel to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Europe, Phoenix and California. For many years they spent winters in Phoenix and Palm Springs. In recent years, Mom abandoned her canvases for her computers. She loved her computers and became very proficient in many programs. We have many cherished birthday and anniversary cards made by Mom on her computer. She enjoyed her digital camera and learning Photo Shop at Creative Retirement classes and she met regularly with her computer club until very recently. Through all her projects, Dad was always supportive and willing to help in any way. After her cancer diagnosis, Dad was continually by her side for all her appointments and treatments. He was her rock and she knew she could always count on him to be there for her. During the last couple of months Dad was her caregiver at home and would have it no other way. She fought a long and hard five year battle without any complaints. She is our hero. We children will be forever grateful for the wonderful childhood we had and for the values instilled in us by Mom and Dad. Mom was very proud of her children and her grandchildren and all their accomplishments, big and small. There are no words that can express how much we will miss her. We thank all the oncology staff at Victoria Hospital, the health care aides and palliative care nurses who did home visits and the palliative care staff at St. Boniface Hospital who cared for Mom in her final days. At Mom's request there will be no funeral and interment for the immediate family will take place. You are invited to a Celebration of Mom's life at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4000 Portage Ave., on Monday, August 15 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, Room 1160, 675 McDermot, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 12, 2005