Elda Reimer (nee Penner)

Obituary

Our hearts are filled with gratitude for our mother’s full life and peaceful death, but we are also saddened that she is no longer with us.

Elda Reimer (nee Penner) passed away Thursday, January 23, at the age of 86, surrounded by family.

She will be missed by her sons Robert (Eleanor), Stan (Rhonda), Rod (Tina), Dennis (Rose), Brad (Lois) and Brian (Tricia), her daughter Cheryl (Dean Buhler), 20 grandchildren (and their spouses), and 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving her are two sisters, Wilma and Martha (Jim Foulkes), three brothers Dave, Peter (Anne), Ken (Phyllis), and her sister-in-law Tina Kornelson, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Peter, her brother Roy and one great-grandson, David.

Mom was born on October 23, 1933. She grew up in the Blumenort area, with church involvement being central to her life. As a young adult, she worked at a sewing factory, and as a health care aide at the Municipal Hospitals in Winnipeg. She was married a week prior to her 22nd birthday, a union that spanned more than 56 years, until Dad’s passing in 2012.

Our parents spent their early married life in Blumenort, moving to Treesbank in 1966 to help establish an EMC church. Here they raised their seven children on a small mixed farm. They moved to Steinbach in 1990, when health issues prevented Dad from continuing his work in construction. Mom supported Dad in his retirement woodcraft work, which brought both of them purpose and joy.

For most of her life, Mom quietly supported Dad’s work, ensuring there was always a nutritious meal and a clean home to return to. Other than in her own home, she was rarely the centre of attention, and would never have sought such a position. Her hobbies included reading, various forms of needle work, crocheting many perfectly created doilies and treasured afghans, and she enjoyed road trips across Canada and in the US with Dad, as well as two trips to Africa to visit family.

Mom survived two bouts with cancer; first in 1983 and again in 1991. Prior to her recent hospitalization, Mom spent 18 months living at Woodhaven, which was a great time for her to connect more regularly with old friends and make new ones. She enjoyed the visits, the communal card games and puzzles, having meals provided for her and eating them in the company of friends.

When it was discovered, on the eve of her 86th birthday, that Mom had extensive cancer, she graciously responded with a sense of acceptance. She was blessed to receive the care she needed in her final months, at Bethesda Health Centre in Steinbach. We are thankful to the nursing and medical staff for their respectful care of our very dear Mother.

A come and go viewing will be held Thursday, January 30th, 7;00-9;00 pm, at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 31st, at 11:00 am at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, with viewing prior to the service. Internment at the Ridgewood EMC cemetery.

Donations in memory of Elda may be made to The Haven Group Foundation, 177 Woodhaven Ave. Steinbach, MB, R5G 1K7.

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