Viola Wohlgemuth
Obituary
On Monday, May 14, 2018 our mom, grandma, and great grandma Viola Wohlgemuth, surrounded by family and friends, slipped quietly to the other side to join her beloved husband Jake. She reached the age of 87 years. Viola was born to Peter and Agnes Wiebe on April 10, 1931 at the family home in Greenland, Manitoba.
She enjoyed a happy childhood growing up on the family farm, and she often told us stories of doing chores and milking the cows. Mom attended the Greenland South School for nine years. Some of her fond childhood memories include; walking to school with her siblings and friends, getting electricity on the farm, and traveling to Winnipeg to see the royal family. She worshipped at the Greenland Church of God in Christ Mennonite. She was baptized on December 2, 1943 by Minister John M. Penner, with several of her friends. Mom remained faithful to the end.
In her later teens she was employed at the Winnipeg Municipal Hospitals. She often told us how much she enjoyed her time there.
On May 23, 1953 she married the love of her life Jake Wohlgemuth. The marriage, officiated by John M Penner, took place at the Greenland Church, Greenland, Manitoba. They enjoyed 64 years of married life together, raising four sons and two daughters.
Mom ran the household very efficiently raising a family, cooking, sewing, gardening, and always keeping a busy social life. She really enjoyed entertaining friends and family. Having company for Sunday dinners and faspa, and going out for meals, were frequent occurrences. Mom also did a lot of quilting, crocheting and knitting. She crocheted an afghan for each grandchild. The grandchildren were precious to her and she spent hours caring and babysitting even if it was a last minute request.
Mom enjoyed traveling. Her favourite trips were to visit her children which took her to Corinne in Arkansas and Pat and Cammie in Bangladesh.
One of the biggest decisions our parents made in their life together was selling their business in Landmark and moving to Swan River, Manitoba. Mom may have had some reservations about the move, however, she always supported Dad through the good and bad times. She loved living in The Swan Valley, and often told us, “this is home!”
The last few years were very difficult for Mom and she fought the dementia with all she had until the very end. After Dad passed away nine months ago her desire was to go be with him. Although the final weeks were especially difficult, she passed away very peacefully and we are thankful her suffering is over. The family would like to express gratitude for the loving care provided to Mom by Home Care, Bethesda Place and Maplewood Manor staff.
Mom is survived by her family: Randy and Lydia of Steinbach, Manitoba, Ray and Agnes of Steinbach, Manitoba, Dale and Rhonda of Landmark, Manitoba, Corinne Nightingale of Bentonville, Arkansas, Pat and Cammie of Landmark, Manitoba, Lana and Verlin Barkman of Swan River, Manitoba, 23 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Her brothers Ted, Cornie and Velma, Peter and Norma, sisters Nellie Wohlgemuth, Irma and Leonard Dueck, Lottie and Eugene Quasso.
Preceding her in death was her beloved husband Jake, a sister Annie and her brothers Albert, Edwin and Jake.
We are so happy that Mom is now in a place where her mind and body are whole again and she can remember all the fine things of life. Mom and Dad are walking hand in hand once again.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 3:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Lunch will be served after the service.
A second funeral service will be held Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., at Swan Valley Mennonite Church, Swan Valley, MB., with interment at Riverside Cemetery, Swan Valley, MB.
