ROLAND AMMETER

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ROLAND AMMETER Roland was born in Georgia, USSR to Rosa (nee Brodt) and Gottfried Ammeter on January 17, 1928. At the age of 18 months, Roland and his family left Russia because of the political climate and came to Canada. They settled in Starbuck, Manitoba where they took up mixed farming with an emphasis on dairy. Roland was the third of six children. Like most immigrants of that era the family started off with few material possessions. Integrity, discipline and work ethic were modeled in the home. Roland was an avid reader and an eager student. He took on adult responsibilities at an early age and by Grade 7 was earning $1.00 per day. When he finished high school he was self-supporting. After completing the optional Grade 12, Roland worked for local farmers and rented a dairy farm with one of his brothers. In 1949 the family purchased a farm near Stony Mountain. In 1964 Roland purchased a parcel of land near Oak Hammock Marsh, where he focused on grain farming. Roland met Lydia Enns in the late 1960s. They married in 1971. Roland continued to farm while he and Lydia lived in Winnipeg. Together they built up the homestead, including a log cabin where they spent the summers. Roland was a master carpenter. He built two homes in Winnipeg, the last one on Bonner Avenue. Health problems led to condo living in 2011. Roland and Lydia had no children, but took a keen interest in nieces and nephews. Roland believed in the strength of family. He was a compassionate, caring person who demonstrated his faith in God in his daily walk. Despite the diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease in November 2012, Roland never complained and was thankful for the many good years God had given him. As the symptoms of the disease progressed, Roland was admitted to St. Boniface Hospital in late January. He passed away peacefully, February 15, 2014 in the Palliative Care Unit. Roland is survived by his wife Lydia, sister Trudy Magas (John), brothers Eric and Fromhold (Silvia), sister-in-law Alwyn Ammeter and sisters-in-law Hedy Voth, Erica Siemens (Abe), brother-in-law Henry Enns (Martha), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, by brothers Gerhard and Hank, nephew Eugene Ammeter, parents-in-law Henry and Lydia Enns, brother-in-law Jake Voth, and nephew Norman Voth. Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church, 200 McIvor Ave. Interment in the La Salle Mennonite Cemetery. Roland, Lydia and family thank everyone who supported them through this difficult time - family, friends, the McIvor Church family, caregivers Dr. Manishen, Dr. Gomori, Dr. Sim, the ALS Clinic, and the excellent staff on the Medical and Palliative Care wards at St. Boniface. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba or the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital available at the service.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2014